The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
Sa ki kache k pran pay mouye
Ranyon pise k poko seche
Pa fè dife pou fè manje
Touse sa yo ka fè n touse
Si n wè lan figi n dlo koule
Se pa kriye n ape kriye
Nou son w la konsyans ki kanpe
Ki mache k ap analize
Van la fimen k vle mechanste
Lafimen di m lan ki zòrèy ou tande
Lafimen se mètrès kay ki komande
Lafimen pa kite lapèsonn fache
Pou l ouvè pòt la
Pou li fout fòse w ale
Lapèsonn kanzo plizyè fwa
La l sou lè lye an de twa pa
Sou bitasyon pa l li sèl wa
Pa ti oungan tankou Lika
Ti Janmari ti Nikola
Ki ta fa fè l mache opa
Lapèsonn konn sa sa vle di
Lavi k detri pou bay lavi
Paka pèdi sa pap pèdi
Lafimen di m lan ki zòrèy ou tande
Lafimen se mètrès kay ki komande
Lafimen pa kite lapèsonn fache
Pou l ouvè pòt la
Pou li fout fòse w ale
Lapèsonn konnen la viktwa
Pou respè lavi pou le dwa
Se bagay ki gen gwo konba
Li konnen byen ke ti moura
Si w lan bat bravo e sa va
Pa gen moun ki gen dout sou sa
Nou pa kwè lapèsonn sezi
Pousa k te rive a minui
Se nuit ki ale jou pral vini
Lafimen di m lan ki zòrèy ou tande
Lafimen se mètrès kay ki komande
Lafimen pa kite lapèsonn fache
Pou l ouvè pòt la
Pou li fout fòse w ale
Ranyon pise k poko seche
Pa fè dife pou fè manje
Touse sa yo ka fè n touse
Si n wè lan figi n dlo koule
Se pa kriye n ape kriye
Nou son w la konsyans ki kanpe
Ki mache k ap analize
Van la fimen k vle mechanste
Lafimen di m lan ki zòrèy ou tande
Lafimen se mètrès kay ki komande
Lafimen pa kite lapèsonn fache
Pou l ouvè pòt la
Pou li fout fòse w ale
Lapèsonn kanzo plizyè fwa
La l sou lè lye an de twa pa
Sou bitasyon pa l li sèl wa
Pa ti oungan tankou Lika
Ti Janmari ti Nikola
Ki ta fa fè l mache opa
Lapèsonn konn sa sa vle di
Lavi k detri pou bay lavi
Paka pèdi sa pap pèdi
Lafimen di m lan ki zòrèy ou tande
Lafimen se mètrès kay ki komande
Lafimen pa kite lapèsonn fache
Pou l ouvè pòt la
Pou li fout fòse w ale
Lapèsonn konnen la viktwa
Pou respè lavi pou le dwa
Se bagay ki gen gwo konba
Li konnen byen ke ti moura
Si w lan bat bravo e sa va
Pa gen moun ki gen dout sou sa
Nou pa kwè lapèsonn sezi
Pousa k te rive a minui
Se nuit ki ale jou pral vini
Lafimen di m lan ki zòrèy ou tande
Lafimen se mètrès kay ki komande
Lafimen pa kite lapèsonn fache
Pou l ouvè pòt la
Pou li fout fòse w ale
Lyrics submitted by Lunes
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(Translated from Haitian Creole by Mark Dow)
SMOKE
The one in hiding who takes wet leaves, Pissed-in mattress-stuffing that's not yet dry, Is not making a fire to cook, But to make us cough. If you see tears running down our faces, Our crying is not crying. We are the conscience that stands up, That moves on and analyzes The puff of smoke that's up to no good.
Smoke, listen closely. Smoke, the mistress of the house is the one who gives the orders. Smoke, don't let the people get angry Or they'll open the door and, dammit, you're gone.
The people have been initiated many times, They're through that place in just two or three steps. On their land, they are the only king, Little vodou priests like Lika, Little Jan or Little Nikola, Cannot make them march in step. The people know what this means: The life that is destroyed to give life Can't be lost, it will not be lost.
Smoke, listen closely. Smoke, the mistress of the house is the one who gives the orders. Smoke, don't let the people get angry Or they'll open the door and, dammit, you're gone.
The people know that the victory Of respect for life and of right Is something you have to fight for. They know very well that you may die If you just applaud and stand by, No one has any doubt about that. I don't think the people were surprised By what happened at midnight: The day always follows the night.
Smoke, listen closely. Smoke, the mistress of the house is the one who gives the orders. Smoke, don't let the people get angry Or they'll open the door and, dammit, you're gone.
(Note by Gage Averill on conjunctions.com)
The line in the second stanza ("The people have been initiated many times") literally says: "The people have undergone the fire ritual ("kanzo") many times". In a song in which Manno implies that the elite and army have lit a smoking (not burning) fire to blind and confuse people, the "kanzo" serves as a contrasting kind of fire, one that purifies and that tests people's faith and determination. When a "gwo nèg" (big shot) rides by in the street, the "ti-nèg" (little people) are supposed to line the street and "bat bravo" (pay collective tribute by applauding), as in the third stanza here. It is one of those many rituals of power that define hierarchy and the social order in Haiti.