2007 by James Burns and Pierrette Aboadji.

All Rights Reserved

Gahu
Songbook


as Sung by
Pierrette Aboadji
Ghana Dance Ensemble


and Transcribed/Arranged by
James Burns
Binghamton University


Figure 1 Map of the Ewe and neighboring language groups

This brief collection of Gahu songs was transcribed and arranged by Professor
James Burns and Pierrette Aboadji at Binghamton University for use with our African
Dancedrumming ensemble. These songs come from a version of the Gahu dance
developed at the University of Ghana by the Ghana Dance Ensemble, where Pierrette was
a singer and dancer from 1995-2007. Pierrette also was a member of a Gahu group in
Accra during the 1980s. As such, these songs may differ from other versions that have
developed within other performance groups. The authors wish to emphasize that Gahu is
an oral tradition, and is not bound by a fixed text that is written down, nor are there any
authoritative or authentic versions that subsume other regional variants. Furthermore, the
original melodies of each song have been harmonized with higher and lower parts. The
basic melody is found on the middle staff in each transcription, with the harmonies
placed above and below it. The high and low harmonies were added by Prof. Burns, in
consultation with Pierrette; therefore, these songs represent our own original
arrangements.

Figure 2 Gome Drum of the Ga people
Gahu (sometimes spelled agahu) was originally developed in the Republic of
Benin, by linguistic and cultural cousins of the Ewe. The Ewe are part of an extended
territory spanning from the Volta Lake in Ghana to the Oum River in Benin that is
inhabited by ethnic groups who share a common history and culture (see Figure 1).
Through internecine warfare and European colonialism, separate ethnic identities formed,
and ethnonyms were adopted, creating separate identities through time. Major groups
include the Ewe, Fon, Adja, Maxi, Gen, and Gun. Linguists use the term Gbe, meaning
language or voice within each dialect, to create a subfamily within the Kwa languages
spoken from Cte d'Ivoire to Nigeria (Capo 1991). Research by Ladzekpo and Eder posit
that is was created by Gun speaking people in Coutonou, around 1936. They were told
that Gahu came from a dance called gunbe, which they do not discuss further. Gunbe is,
of course, a PanAtlantic neo-traditional dance form also known as Gombe, Goombay, or
Gome (Harrev 1993). It is found in the Caribbean and along the West African coast from
Senegal to Cameroon. Gunbe is normally played on frame drums, particularly a type of
box frame drum that the player can sit on, allowing them to modulate its pitch within the
bass register by pressing the heel of the foot into the skin (see Figure 2). The
accompaniment was normally a saw blade used as a scraper, rattles, and a timelinemost
often this standard PanAtlantic timeline:

Figure 3 Gunbe Timeline
According to Eder and Ladzekpo, when a Gun community adopted gunbe and
debuted it, an airplane flew over, which is the source of the name Agahu. They give the
gloss aga (air) + hu (vehicle)= Agahu (airplane). In Ewe and Fon, however, the word ga
means iron or metal, so it is usually translated as metal vehicle = airplane (see Locke
1987: 5-6). Through trade and migration, versions of the dance were adapted by the Anlo
Ewe of southeastern Ghana sometime during the 1950s. Groups whose history have been
recorded include one at Anlo Afiadenyigba, which was then copied by a group at
Anyako. From this nucleus, Gahu became part of the Ghana Dance Ensemble repertory
when it was formed in the 1960s. At some point in its evolution, Gahu began to
encompass aspects of the Kinka repertoire, including songs, drum language patterns, and
dance steps. There was also a transformation of the bell pattern from the gunbe one to the
one transcribed in Figure 4 (the last note of the pattern is simply shifted one eighthnote).
This enhanced version became a new tradition, and is now part of southern Ewe dance-
drumming. For further transcriptions of the drumming see Locke 1987, below is a basic
outline of the supporting parts:


Figure 4 Bell and Support Drums for Gahu
As Gahu incorporated other dance steps and patterns, it also changed its
instrumentation to the standard southern Ewe set. In the versions brought to Afiadenyigba
and Anyako, the lead drum was originally a large barrel drum known as Gboba (see
Figure 5), however it is now normally played on Atimeu. This causes some controversy
amongst some conservative Ewe drummers and their students, who feel that Gboba is the
only true lead drum, forgetting that Gahu was born out the transformation of gunbe and
has undergone continuous development since its inception.

Figure 5 Ewe drum ensemble (R) Atimeu and Gboba (F) Kidi, Axatse, Sogo, Gankogui, Kidi, Kagan
Each of the Gahu songs are transcribed using Western staff notation, in treble
clef. The lead parts are marked with a boxed L and the chorus with a boxed C.
Typically, one person will sing the lead part and the chorus would respond. To facilitate
synchronization with the drum ensemble, the bell part is placed above the staff. After
each transcription, the song is presented in textual form, with its correct Ewe orthography
and English translation. A pronunciation guide for the Ewe texts follows this
introduction.
The songs recorded herein have no known author, and therefore are part of the
public domain. However, these transcriptions and arrangements represent the original
work of the authors, and therefore we have copyrighted the arrangements and
transcriptions of the songs, not the songs themselves. Authors who wish to use these
transcriptions in publication need to cite this work according to academic standards.

References
Atakpa, F.K. Eegbel uti Sewo (Cape Coast: University of Cape Coast, 1986).
Capo, Hounkpati. A Comparative Phonology of Gbe (Berlin: Labo Gbe Int., 1991).
Harrev, Flemming. The origin of urban music in West and Central Africa, paper
presented at the 23
rd
world conference of the International Council for Traditional
Music in Berlin 16-22 June 1993.
Ladzekpo, Seth K. and Alan Eder. Agahu: Music Across Many Nations. In African
musicology: current trends: a festschrift presented to J.H. Kwabena Nketia. Edited
by Jacqueline Cogdell DjeDje and William G. Carter (Atlanta: Crossroads Press,
1992).
Locke, David. Drum Gahu: the Rhythms of West African Drumming (Crown Point: White
Cliffs Media, 1987).
Pantaleoni, Hewitt. The rhythm of Atsia dance drumming among the Anlo (EVE) of
Anyako (Oneonta: self-published, 1972).
Westermann, Diedrich, Eefiala, or Ewe English Dictionary (Berlin: D. Reimer, 1928).
Orthography
The Ewe texts follow the standard Ewe orthography, which is based upon the
Ewe-English, English-Ewe dictionary compiled by Westermann (Westermann 1928) and
as outlined in F.K. Atakpas Eegbel uti Sewo (Rules for Writing the Ewe
Language) (1986).
The different dialects of spoken Ewe show a wide divergence in the pronunciation
of basic vowel sounds, and the following pronunciation guide represents a synthesis of
southern Ewe usage.
Ewe English Equivalent
a ah as in father
e uh as in fare
i ee as in he
o oh as in lingo
aw as in hawk
u oo as in food
eh as in bet.
ex. , , Nasalized vowel.

In terms of consonants, most bear their English pronunciations, however the
following deserve brief explanation.
, ng as in sing
, A retroflex d, similar to a slightly
rolled r
, A bilabial f, similar to blowing up a
balloon
, A bilabial v, produced by allowing air
to escape between loosly closed
lips.
, A g pronounced with the throat.
Kp As in saying backpack without a pause
between syllables.
Gb As in saying bug-bite without a pause
between words.
X, x A non-voiced h as German ich
ts Varies between ch as in church and ts
as in bits.
ny As in onion.
dz Varies between j as in Joe and ds as
in suds.


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_
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Gahu Song "Mido gbe"

Traditional
Arranged by James Burns and Pierrette Aboadji
Bell

, ,
,
,

,
L
,

,
,

, ,
,
,

,
,

,
,

, ,
,
,

,
,

,
,

, ,
,
,

,
,

,
,

_
- - .
C
,
,
,

,
,
,
,
_
.
Ga hu ee
,
,
, ,
ga - hu a do gbe
,
,
,
,
na mi lo ee
,
,
,
,
,
Ga hu ee
,
,
,

ga hu a do
,
,
,
,
_
- - . ,
,
,
,
,
,
,
1.

5
2. 2.
Bell

, ,
,
,

,
,

,
,

, ,
,
,

,
,

,
,

, ,
,
,

,
,

,
,

, ,
,
,

,
,

,
,

_
,
,
,
, ,
L

C
,
,
,
, ,
L
.
C
,
,
,
, ,

,
.
L
_
gbe na mi lo
,
,
,
, ,
Ga hu gbe
,
,
na mi lo
,
,
,
, ,
Mi do
,
,
gbe
,

,
Ga hu mi do
,
,
,
,
gbe
,

,

Mi do
,
,
_
,
,
,
, ,

,
,
,
, ,
.
,
,
,
, ,
,
,

.
9
Bell

, ,
,
,

,
,

,
,

, ,
,
,

,
,

,
,

, ,
,
,

,
,

,
,

, ,
,
,

,
,

,
,

_
.
C
C
,
,
,
, ,
,
,

,
,
, ,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
_
gbe
,

Ga hu mi do
,
,
,
,
gbe
,

Ga hu ee
,
,
, ,
Ga hu a do gbe
,
,
,
,
na mi lo ee
,
,
,
,
,
Ga hu
,
,
_
.
,
,
,
, ,
,
,

,
,
, ,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
13

Bell

, ,
,
,

,
,

,
,

, ,
,
,

,
,

,
,

_
,

,
,
,
,
,
,
,
, ,
L

_
ee
,

Ga hu a do gbe
,
,
,
,
na mi lo
,
,
,
, ,
Ga hu
,
,
_
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
, ,

Text and Translation of Mi do gbe


L: Gahu yee
Gahu,
Gahuua do gbe na mi lo ee
The Gahu dance-drumming group greets all of you.
R: Gahu yee
Gahu,
Gahuua do gbe na mi loo The Gahu dance-drumming group greets all of you.
L: Gahu yee
Gahu
Gahuua do gbe na mi lo ee The Gahu dance-drumming group greets all of you.

R: Gahu yee
Gahu,
Gahuua do gbe na mi loo The Gahu dance-drumming group greets all of you.
L: Mdo gbe
We greet all of you,
R: Gahu mdo gbe
Gahu, we greet all of you.
L: Mdo gbe
We greet all of you,
R: Gahu mdo gbe
Gahu, we greet all of you.
Gahu yee
Gahu,
Gahuua do gbe na mi lo ee The Gahu dance-drumming group greets all of you.
Gahu yee
Gahu,
Gahuua do gbe na mi loo The Gahu dance-drumming group greets all of you.

Gahu Song "Dzolevi"

Traditional
Arranged by James Burns and Pierrette Aboadji
Bell

, ,
,
,

,
,

,
,

, ,
,
,

,
,

,
,

, ,
,
,

,
,

,
,

, ,
,
,

,
,

,
,

_
-
L

C
, , ,
,
L
,

_ .
ye
C
ye ade ga
, , ,
,
_
,

Dzo le
,
_
vi te
,
,
te ma do aba
, ,
, ,
na woe
,
,
, ,
ye
ye
ye
ye
ade
ade
ga
ga
va
va
, , ,
,
Dzo Dzo le
,
,
vi te
,
,
te ma do aba
, ,
, ,
na woe
,
,
, ,
ye ye ade ga
, , ,
,
_
-
, , ,
,
,

, .
, , ,
,
5
Bell

, ,
,
,

,
,

,
,

, ,
,
,

,
,

,
,

, ,
,
,

,
,

,
,

, ,
,
,

,
,

,
,

_
va
,
,
,
,
, , ,
,
, ,
, , ,
,
,
,
,
,
, , ,
,
,

,
,
,
, ,
, ,
_
va Dzo
Dzo
le
le
ye
ye
,
,
,
,
ye
ye
ade
ade
ga
ga
va
va
, , ,
,
, ,
Ye
Ye
ye
ye
ade
ade
ga
ga
va
va
, , ,
,
dzo
dzo
le
le
ye
ye
,
,
,
,
ye
ye
ade
ade
ga
ga
va
va
, , ,
,
Dzo Dzo
Dzo Dzo
le
le
,
,
vi
vi
te
te
,
,
te
te
ma
ma
do
do
, ,
, ,
_
,
,
,
,
, , ,
,
, ,
, , ,
,
,
,
,
,
, , ,
,
,

,
,
,
, ,
, ,
9

Bell

, ,
,
,

,
,

,
,

, ,
,
,

,
,

,
,

_ ,
,
, ,
, , ,
,
, ,
.
_
aba
aba
na
na
woe
woe
,
,
, ,
ye
ye
ye
ye
ade
ade
ga
ga
va
va
, , ,
,
, ,
.
_
,
,
, ,
, , ,
,
, ,
.
Text and Translation of Dzlevi


L: Dzlevi tete mao aba na woe
My love, come close and I will make the
bed for you.
R: Yeye ae ga va.
A new love has come.
L: Dzlevi tete mao aba na woe
My love, come close and I will make the
bed for you.
R: Yeye ae ga va.
A new love has come.
Dzle yeye ae ga va
My love, a new love has come.
Yeye ae ga va.
A new love has come.
Dzle yeye ae ga va
My love, a new love has come.
Dzlevi tete mao aba na woe
My love, come close and I will make the
bed for you.
Yeye ae ga va.
A new love has come.

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_
_
_
_
_
Gahu Song "Pam pam pam"
Traditional
Arranged by James Burns and Pierrette Aboadji

Bell

, ,
,
,

,
,

,
,

, ,
,
,

,
,

,
,

, ,
,
,

,
,

,
,

_
-
L

C
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
L
.
_
.
Pam
,
pam pam
,
,
,
ke
ke
te
te
ke
ke
,
,
la
la
ku
ku
mi
mi
lo
lo
,
,
,
,
,

Pam
,
pam
,
,
_
. .
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
.
4
Bell

, ,
,
,

,
,

,
,

, ,
,
,

,
,

,
,

, ,
,
,

,
,

,
,

_

ke
C
te ke
,
,
la ku mi lo
,
,
,
,
, ,
e wo
,

na do doe
, ,
,
, , ,
ki lo
,
,
de kpo si
,
,
,
,
_
pam
,
ke ke te ke
,
,
la ku mi lo lo
,
,
,
,
,
,
e wo
,

na do doe
, ,
,
, ,
,
ki lo
,

de kpo si
,
,
,
,
_

,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
, ,
,
, ,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
7

Bell

, ,
,
,

,
,

,
,

, ,
,
,

,
,

,
,

, ,
,
,

,
,

,
,

_
o
, ,
e wo
,

na do doe
, ,
,
, , ,
ki lo
,
,
de kpo si o
,
,
,
,
,

L
.
_
o
,
,
e wo
,

na do doe
, ,
,
, ,
,
ki lo
,

de kpo si o
,
,
,
,
,

Pam
,
pam
,
,
_
,
,
,
,
, ,
,
, ,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
.
Text and Translation of Pam Pam Pam



L: Pam, pam, pam
<sound of train>
R: Keteke la ku m lo
The train will drive us all.
L: Pam, pam, pam
<sound of train>
R: Keteke la ku m lo
The train will drive us all.
wna ooe
It is making us rush about.
Kilode kpo si oo
Why should we be like that?
wna ooe
It is making us rush about.
Kilode kpo si oo
Why should we be like that?

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_
_
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_
Gahu Song "Klifoti"
Traditional
Arranged by James Burns and Pierrette Aboadji

Bell

, ,
,
,

,
,

,
,

, ,
,
,

,
,

,
,

, ,
,
,

,
,

,
,

, ,
,
,

,
,

,
,

_
-
L
- .
Dzo
C
gbe mi le e
, ,
,
,
,
so la Ga
,
,
hu ga ye
,
,
,
,
_
,
Kli fo
,

ti dza gba gbo

,
,
,
,
gbo
,

,
,
ma yi
,

kpo dzo gbe vide

,
,
,
,
, ,

Dzo gbe mi le e
, ,
,
,
,
so la Ga
,
,
hu ga ye
,
,
,
,
_
- - .
, ,
,
,
, ,
,
,
,
,
,
1.

5
2.
Bell

, ,
,
,

,
,

,
,

, ,
,
,

,
,

,
,

, ,
,
,

,
,

,
,

, ,
,
,

,
,

,
,

_
nyo
,

Kli Kli fo
.
ti dza gba nyo
C
,

Ga ye wo nu
,
,
,
,
Yo
,

,
be mi
,
,
tso mi yia
,
, ,
, ,

Ga ye wo nu
,
,
,
,
_
nyo
,
,
Kli Kli fo
,

ti dza gba nyo

,
,
,
, ,

Ga ye wo nu
,
,
,
,
Yo
, ,
be mi
,
,
tso mi yia
,
, ,
, ,

Ga ye wo nu
,
,
,
,
_
,
.
,

,
,
,
, ,

, ,
,
,
, ,
, ,

,
,
,
,
9
Bell

, ,
,
,

,
,

,
,

, ,
,
,

,
,

,
,

, ,
,
,

,
,

,
,

_
Yo
,

,
be mi
,
,
tso mi yia
,
, ,
,
A yo
,

,
ko be
, ,
doa go na go
,
,
,
,
,

,
Ga hu be
, ,
doa go na
,
,
,
,
_
Yo
, ,
be mi
,
,
tso mi yia
,
, ,
,
A yo
,

,
ko be
, ,
doa go na go
,
,
,
,
,

,
Ga hu be
, ,
doa go na
,
,
,
,
_
,

, ,
,
,
, ,
, , , , ,
,
,
,
,
,

,
, , ,
,
,
,
12

Bell

, ,
,
,

,
,

,
,

, ,
,
,

,
,

,
,

, ,
,
,

,
,

,
,

_
go
,

,
fi de no
, ,
de no de lia
,
,
,
,
,

,
so le Ga
, ,
hu ga ye nyo
,
,
,
, ,

L
.
_
go
,

,
fi de no
, ,
de no de lia
,
,
,
,
,

,
so le Ga
, ,
hu ga ye nyo
,
,
,
, ,
,
Kli Kli fo
,

ti dza gba
,
,
,
,
_
,

,
, ,
,
,
,
,
,

,
, ,
,
,
,
, ,
.
Text and Translation of Klioti



L: Klioti dzi agba gbogbo
A crooked stick beats a washtub,
Mayi akp dzogbe vie
Let me go and see inside the bush.
R: Dzogbe mle ee
We are in the bush.
S le Gahu, ga ye ny.
The vodu caught Gahu, money is good.
L: Klioti dzi agba gbogbo
A crooked stick beats a washtub,
Mayi akp dzogbe vie
Let me go and see inside the bush.
R: Dzogbe mle ee
We are in the bush.
S le Gahu, ga ye ny.
The vodu caught Gahu, money is good.
L: Ga ye wnu,
It is money that matters,
R: Yobe mtso myi a
Lets get up and go!
L: Ga ye wnu,
It is money that matters,
R: Yobe mtso myi a
Lets get up and go!
Ayk be yeoa go na go Ayk says she has gotten ready to go.
Gahu be yeoa go na go
Gahu says it has gotten ready to go.
Fi e nde ne lia
Wherever my auntie is at,
S le Gahu, ga ye ny.
The vodu caught Gahu, money is good.