for Double Choir (SATB & SATB divisi), Soprano solo and optional Percussion
SYDNEYGUILLAUME
Copyright © 2021 Sydney Guillaume
Nou La – We Are Here
Haitian Creole, French and English
Koute nou! Tande, tande! Listen up! Hear our voices!
Nou la! Wi, nou la! (We’re here! Yes, we are here!)
N ap chante! (We are singing!)
Nou tout kanpe! (We are taking a stand!)
Nou kanpe avèk yo! (We stand with them!)
Di mwen, kisa m ye pou ou? Tell me, what am I to you?
If I cross your borders, am I a thief or a profit?
If I do your labor, am I skilled or a nuisance?
If I assimilate your ways, am I an imposter or a brother?
If I serve my time, am I redeemed or rebuked?
Nous témoignons du fantôme de l’esclavage dans sa forme contemporaine. We witness the ghost of slavery in its contemporary form
Di mwen poukisa! Tell me why!
Why is it only culture if you observe it?
Why is it only history if you write it?
Why is it only important if you say it?
Why is it only relevant if you are interested?
Why is it only inclusive if you make a profit?
It has to stop! Enough! Enough!
Hear the frustration in our voices. Feel the heart in our words.
How can you be complacent at the sound of our plight?
March and let the weight of our heels crush inhumanity. Stomp and let the sound ignite our souls to make a difference.
Let us sing and let our voices bring compassion to the oppressed.
Listen. Understand. Have compassion. Koute. Tande. Pran konsyans. How can you be complacent at the sound of our plight?
Text by: Lloyd Reshard Jr., Frédéricka Petit-Homme and Sydney Guillaume
For an audio pronunciation guide of the Haitian Creole and French text, go to: sydneyguillaume.com/practice-tracks
la,noula,Noula,wi,noula!
kanpe - avèk - yo.
kanpe - avèk - yo.
kanpe - avèk - yo.
kanpe - avèk - yo.
PERUSALSCORE
Lis f -ten! Listen!Lis f -ten! Listen!Kou f -tenou!TanKou f -tenou!Tan-
PERUSALSCORE
Listen up! We're here!
koute - nou!Tande! - Koute - nou,koute - nou,koute - nou,koute - nou!Tande! - Lis f -ten! Listen!koute - nou!Tande! - Koute - nou,koute - nou,koute - nou,koute - nou!Tande! - Lis f -ten! Listen!Tan f -de!Tande! - Noula! Noula!Koute - nou!Tan-de! Tande, - tan-de! Koute - nou!Tande! - Noula! Noula!Koute - nou!Tan-
Listen! - Hearourvoices!Listen! - Hearourvoices!-de! Hearourvoices!-de! Hearourvoices! -
Yes, we are here!We are singing!
Listen! - Hearourvoices! - Wi, f -mp noula!
Listen! - Hearourvoices! - Nou f la,noula,n apchante! - Noula,noula,noutoutkanpe!-de! Hearourvoices! - Wi, f -
noula! -de! Hearourvoices! - Nou f la,noula,n apchante! - Noula,noula,noutoutkanpe! -
We stand with them!
Nou f la,noula,n apchante! - Noula! Nou mp kanpe - avèk - yo!
Nou f la,noula,n apchante! - Nou f la!Nou mp kanpe - avèk - yo!
Nou f la,noulan apchante! - Noula! Nou mp kanpe - avèk - yo!
Nou f la,noula,n apchante! - Noula! Nou mp kanpe - avèk - yo!
We stand with them! .
Nou f la,noula,n apchante! - Noula! Nou mp kanpe - avèk - yo!Wi,nou
Yes, we're here! -
Nou f la,noula,n apchante! - Nou f la!Nou mp kanpe - avèk - yo!Wi,nou
Nou f la,noulan apchante! - Noula! Nou mp kanpe - avèk - yo!
Nou f la,noula,n apchante! - Noula! Nou mp kanpe - avèk - yo!
We are here! ∑ We stand with them! Yes, we're here! 2
Tell me, what am I to you?
If mf espress. I crossyour
sub. mp
PERUSALSCORE
la! Noukanpe - avèk - yo!
Dimwen,dimwen,
Nou f la!Wi,noula! sub. mp
Dimwen,dimwen,
la! Noukanpe - avèk - yo!
Di mp mwen, la!Noukanpe - avèk - yo!
sub. mp
la! Noukanpe - avèk - yo!
Di mp mwen,
Dimwen,dimwen,kisa m - yepouou?
Nou f la!Wi,noula! sub. mp
Dimwen,dimwen,kisa m - yepouou?
la! Noukanpe - avèk - yo! sub. mp
Dimwen,dimwen,kisa m - yepouou?
la!Noukanpe - avèk - yo!
yepouou?
bor ders, amIathief
Di mp mwen,dimwen, Di mp mwen,dimwen, Di mp mwen,dimwen, Di mp mwen,dimwen, dimwen, dimwen, dimwen, dimwen,
Dimwen,dimwen,kisa m - yepouou?
Dimwenkisa m - yepouou?
Dimwen,dimwen,kisa m - yepouou?Dimwen, kisa m - yepouou?Di
Dimwen,dimwen,kisa m - yepouou?
Dimwen,kisa m - yepouou?Di
Dimwen,dimwen,kisa m - yepouou?Dimwen, kisa m - yepouou?Di
Tell me, what am I to you?
or mf aprofit? - IfI
Di mp mwen,dimwen, ki mf sa m - yepouou?Di mp mwen,dimwen,
Di mp mwen,dimwen, ki mf sa m - yepouou?Di mp mwen,dimwen, di mf mwen,kisa m - yepouou? di mp mwen, di mf mwen,kisa m - yepouou? di mp mwen,
Dimwen,ki mf sa m - yepouou?Di mp mwen,dimwen,ki-
mwen,dimwen,kimwen.
do your la bor,
Di mp mwen,dimwen, Di mp Di mp mwen,dimwen, Di mp dimwen, Di mp dimwen, Di mp
PERUSALSCORE
-sa m yepouou?
Dimwen,dimwen,kisa m - yepouou?Di
-sa m yepouou?
Dimwen,dimwen,kisa m - yepouou?Di
-sa m yepouou?
Dimwen,dimwen,kisa m - yepouou?Di
-sa m yepouou?
Dimwen,dimwen,kisa m - yepouou?Di
I assi - mi - late - yourways,
Tell
me,tellme,whatamItoyou?tellme,tellme,whatamItoyou?Oh,
Tell mf me,tellme,whatamItoyou?tellme,tellme,whatamItoyou?Oh,
Tell mf me,tellme,whatamItoyou?tellme,tellme,whatamItoyou?Oh,
Tell mf me,tellme,whatamItoyou?tellme,tellme,whatamItoyou?Oh,
Tell mf me,tellme,whatamItoyou?tellme,tellme,whatamItoyou?Oh,
Tell mf me,tellme,whatamItoyou?tellme,tellme,whatamItoyou?Oh,
Tell
me,tellme,whatamItoyou?tellme,tellme,whatamItoyou?Oh,
Tell
me,tellme,whatamItoyou?tellme,tellme,whatamItoyou?Oh,
am Ianimpos - ter - orabrother? - If
tellme! Oh, tellme whatamItoyou? tellme! Oh,tellme whatamItoyou?
tellme! Oh,tellme whatamItoyou? tellme! Oh,tellme whatamItoyou?
tellme! Oh, tellme whatamItoyou?
tellme! Oh,tellme whatamItoyou?
tellme! Oh,tellme whatamItoyou?
tellme! Oh, tellme whatamItoyou?
I serve mytime,
Tellme,tellme,whatamItoyou?Tell me! Oh, f
Tellme,tellme,whatamItoyou?Tell me! Oh, f Tell mf me,tellme,whatamItoyou?Tell me! Oh, f Tell mf me,tellme,whatamItoyou?Tell me! Oh, f
Tellme,tellme,whatamItoyou?Tell me! Oh, f
Tellme,tellme,whatamItoyou?Tell me! Oh, f Tell mf me,tellme,whatamItoyou?Tell me! Oh, f Oh,whatamI to you?
mwen,dimwen,dimwen,dimwen,o. mwen,dimwen,dimwen,dimwen,o.
Dimwen,dimweno.Tell
me,tellme,tellme,what
Iamtoyou?
Tellme! Nou
mwen! Dimwen! Nou
mwen! Dimwen! Nou
Tell
We are taking a stand!
We stand with them!
Nou f la,noula,n apchante! - Noula!Noukanpe - avèk - yo!
Nou f la,noula,n apchante! - Noula!Noukanpe - avèk - yo!
Nou f la,noula,n apchante! - Noula!Noukanpe - avèk - yo!
Nou f la,noula,n apchante! - Noula!Noukanpe - avèk - yo!
Noula,noula,noutoutkanpe! - Noula,noula,n apchante! - Noula!Noukanpe - avèk - yo!
Noula,noula,noutoutkanpe! - Noula,noula,n apchante! - Noula!Noukanpe - avèk - yo!
Noula,noula,noutoutkanpe! - Noula,noula,n apchante! - Noula!Noukanpe - avèk - yo!
Noula,noula,n apchante! - Noula!Noukanpe - avèk - yo!
Noula! Noukanpe - avèk - yo!Wi, mf noula! mf -
Noula!Noukanpe - avèk - yo! Wi, mf noula!
PERUSALSCORE
Noula! Noukanpe - avèk - yo! Nous
témoi - -gnons du
Noula!Noukanpe - avèk - yo! Nous
témoi - -gnons du
PERUSALSCORE
isitonly - culture - ifyouobserve - it? Why
why? why? why? why? -sa. Oh,why?Dimwenpouki - sa. - Why? Dimwenpouki why?Oh,why?Dimwenpouki -
isitonly - histo - -ry ifyouwriteit? Why?why?Oh,
PERUSALSCORE
why? why? why? why? -sa. Oh, why?Dimwenpouki - sa. - Why? Tellme why?Oh, why?Dimwenpouki -
PERUSALSCORE
Ithastostop!Ithastostop!
Ithastostop! AH!! ff molto espress. K
-nough! Stop!! ff molto espress. -nough! Stop!! ff molto espress. -nough! Stop!! ff molto espress. -nough! Enough! - Ithastostop! Stop!! ff molto espress. -nough! Ithastostop! Stop!! ff molto espress. It ff molto espress. hastostop!It It ff molto espress. hastostop!It -nough! Enough! - Ithastostop! It ff molto espress. hastostop!It
Hear mf espress. thefrustra - -tion inourvoices. - Feeltheheartinour
mp Kou p espress. -te.
mp
mp
Tande.Kou p espress. -te.
Hear mf espress.
Tande. -
Hear
thefrustra - -tion inourvoices. - Feeltheheartinour
espress. thefrustra - -tion inourvoices. - Feeltheheartinour
soundofourplight?Kou p espress. -te.
Tande. -
soundofourplight?Hear mf espress. thefrustra - -tion inour voi voi ces. ces.- Kou te,
words.Howcanyoube compla - -cent at f thesoundofourplight?
oh, pp How mf canyoubecompla - -cent at f thesoundofourplight?
oh, p How mf canyoubecompla - -cent at f thesoundofourplight?
oh, p How mf canyoubecompla - -cent at f thesoundofourplight?
words.Howcanyoube
PERUSALSCORE
thesoundofourplight?
words. Howcanyoubecompla - -cent at f thesoundofourplight?
oh, p How mf canyoubecompla - -cent at f thesoundofourplight?
PERUSALSCORE
Let f espress.
ussingandletourvoices - bringcompas - -siontotheop-
Let f espress.
ussingandletourvoices - bringcompas - -siontotheop-
Let f espress.
ussingandletourvoices - bringcompas - -siontotheop-
PERUSALSCORE
soulstomakeadiff'rence.
Letussingandletourvoices - bringcompas - -siontotheop-
Let f espress.
ussingandletourvoices - bringcompas - -siontotheop-
ussingandletourvoices
pressed. - Koute. - Tande. - Lis mf espress. -ten. Under
-pressed. Lis mf espress. -ten. Under - -stand. Havecompas - -sion. -pressed. Lis mf espress. -ten. Under - -stand. Havecompas - -sion. -pressed. Lis mf espress. -ten. Under - -stand. Havecompas - -sion. -pressed. Lis mf espress. -ten. Under - -stand. Havecompas - -sion. -pressed. Lis mf espress. -ten. Under - -stand. Havecompas - -sion.
pressed. - Koute. - Tande. - Lis mf espress. -ten. Under -pressed.
mf espress. -ten. Under - -stand. Havecompas - -sion. -pressed. Lis mf espress. -ten. Under - -stand. Havecompas - -sion.
-stand. Havecompas - -sion.
PERUSALSCORE
Listen. - Under
Listen. - Under - -stand. Havecompas - -sion.
Listen. - Under - -stand. Havecompas - -sion.
Listen. - Under - -stand. Havecompas - -sion.
Listen. - Under - -stand. Havecompas - -sion.
Listen. - Under - -stand. Havecompas - -sion. -stand. Havecompas - -sion. Listen. - Under
Listen. - Under - -stand. Havecompas - -sion.
Listen. - Under - -stand. Havecompas - -sion.
-stand. Havecompas - -sion.
Lis f molto espress. -ten. Under rit.
Lis f molto espress. -ten. Under - -stand. Havecompas - -sion.
Lis f molto espress. -ten, under - -stand. Havecompas - -sion.
Lis f molto espress. -ten, under - -stand. Havecompas - -sion.
Lis f molto espress. -ten, under - -stand. Havecompas - -sion.
Lis f molto espress. -ten. Under - -stand. Havecompas - -sion. -stand. Havecompas - -sion.
Lis f molto espress. -ten. Under
Lis f molto espress. -ten. Under - stand. - Havecompas - -sion.
Lis f molto espress. -ten, under - -stand. Havecompas - -sion.
S.
Hear and listen.
-stand. Havecompas - sion. - Koute. - Tande. -
Listen. - Under - -stand. Havecompas - sion. mp -
Listen. - Under - -stand. Havecompas - sion. mp -
Listen. - Under - -stand. Havecompas - sion. mp -
Listen. - Under - -stand. Havecompas - sion. mp -
Listen. - Under - -stand. Havecompas - sion. mp-stand. Havecompas - sion. - Havecompas - sion. mp - Koute. - Tande. -
Listen. - Under - -stand. Havecompas - sion. mpListen. - Under - -stand. Havecompas - sion. mp - Koute. - Tande. -
How mp molto espress. canyoube compla - -cent atthesoundofourplight?
Nou La - IPA
PERUSALSCORE
Koute nou! Tande, tande!
[ ˈkute nu ˈtãde nu ]
Nou la! Wi, nou la!
[ nu la wi nu la ]
N ap chante!
[ nap ʃãˈte ]
Nou tout kanpe!
[ nu tut kãˈpe ]
Nou kanpe avèk yo!
[ nu kãˈpe a ˈvɛk jo ]
Di mwen, kisa m ye pou ou?
[ dzi muɛ̃ kisa m je pu u ]
Nous témoignons du fantôme de l’esclavage dans sa forme contemporaine.
[ nu ˈtemuaɲõ dzy fãˈtom dø ˈlesklavaʒ dã sa ˈfɔrmø kõtãpoˈrɛnø ]
Di mwen poukisa!
[ dzi muɛ̃ ˈpukisa ]
Koute Tande Pran konsyans.
[ ˈkute ˈtãde prã kõˈsiãs ]
About The Work
“Nou La” (We Are Here) was commissioned by the Phoenix Chamber Choir, an organization committed to using its platform to make a difference and uplift voices that are too often unheard. Written in three languages, the text was a collaborative effort between Sydney Guillaume, Frédéricka Petit-Homme, and Lloyd Reshard Jr., shaped through a series of meaningful and heartfelt conversations. Reflecting on his contribution, Lloyd wrote: “The English portion of ‘Nou La’ stems from the social, cultural, racial, and political unrest that was stirred during the global Covid-19 pandemic. It was important for me to capture the questioning, the frustration, and the desire welling inside myself and others who feel marginalized.”
Our hope is that Nou La compels the listener to confront and wrestle with their own political, cultural, historical, and social stances especially when we do not agree or understand one another. We also hope that this work encourages listeners to passionately confront inhumanity as they cultivate empathy and compassion, inspiring the listener to examine their own relationship and actions toward marginalized communities.
For an audio pronunciation guide of the Haitian Creole and French text, go to: sydneyguillaume.com/practice-tracks
Nou La – Nou Sommes Là!
Haitian Creole, French and English
PERUSALSCORE
Koute nou! Tande, tande! Écoutez-nous ! Prêtez attention !
Nou la! Wi, nou la! Nous sommes là! Oui, nous sommes là !
N ap chante! Nous chantons!
Nou tout kanpe! Nous prenons position !
Nou kanpe avèk yo! Nous sommes solidaires avec eux !
Di mwen, kisa m ye pou ou? Tell me, what am I to you? Dites-moi, qui suis-je pour vous ?
If I cross your borders, am I a thief or a profit? Si je traverse vos frontières, suis-je un voleur, ou un objet de profit ?
If I do your labor, am I skilled or a nuisance? Si je fais votre travail, suis-je un employé habile ou un fléau ?
If I assimilate your ways, am I an imposter or a brother? Si je me conforme à votre culture et vos valeurs, suis-je un imposteur ou un frère ?
If I serve my time, am I redeemed or rebuked? Si je purge ma peine, suis-je racheté ou rejeté ?
We witness the ghost of slavery in its contemporary form.
Nous témoignons du fantôme de l’esclavage dans sa forme contemporaine
Di mwen poukisa! Tell me why! Dites-moi pourquoi !
Why is it only culture if you observe it? Pourquoi c’est de la culture seulement quand vous l’observez ?
Why is it only history if you write it? Pourquoi c’est de l’histoire seulement quand vous l'écrivez ?
Why is it only important if you say it? Pourquoi c’est important seulement quand vous le déclarez ?
Why is it only relevant if you are interested? Pourquoi c’est pertinent seulement quand c’est dans votre intérêt ?
Why is it only inclusive if you make a profit? Pourquoi c’est inclusif seulement quand vous en tirez profit ?
It has to stop! Enough! Enough! If faut que cela cesse! Arrêtez ! Ça suffit !
Hear the frustration in our voices. Écoutez les échos de nos frustrations. Feel the heart in our words. Soyez sensibles à nos supplications. How can you be complacent at the sound of our plight? Comment pouvez-vous demeurer indifférents aux cris de notre malheur ?
March and let the weight of our heels crush inhumanity. Marchons et que le poids de nos talons écrase l’inhumanité. Stomp and let the sound ignite our souls to make a difference. Marchons fermement et que l’écho enflamme nos âmes pour faire la différence. Let us sing and let our voices bring compassion to the oppressed. Chantons en choeur et que nos voix servent de compassion aux opprimés. Listen. Understand. Have compassion. Koute. Tande. Pran konsyans. Écoutez. Comprenez. Soyez compatissant. How can you be complacent at the sound of our plight?
Comment pouvez-vous demeurer indifférents aux cris de notre malheur ?
Text by: Lloyd Reshard Jr., Frédéricka Petit-Homme and Sydney Guillaume