Lingala
When it grew dark, a number of colored lamps were lighted
Ntango molili ekómaki makasi, bazalaki kongɛngisa miinda mingi ya langilangi
the sailors and royal family danced merrily on the deck
bato ya masuwa mpe libota ya mokonzi bazalaki kobina na esengo na pont
The little mermaid could not help thinking of her birthday
Mwa sirène yango akokaki te koboya kokanisa mokolo ya mbotama na ye
the day that she rose out of the sea for the first time
mokolo oyo abimaki na mbu mpo na mbala ya liboso
similar joyful festivities were celebrated on that day
bafɛti ya esengo ya ndenge wana ezalaki kosalema na mokolo yango
she thought about the wonder and hope she felt that day
akanisaki na ntina ya kokamwa mpe elikia oyo ayokaki mokolo wana
with those pleasant memories, she too joined in the dance
na basuvenire wana ya esengo, ye mpe asanganaki na mabina
on her paining feet, she poised herself in the air
na makolo na ye oyo ezalaki kosala mpasi, amibongisaki na mopɛpɛ
the way a swallow poises itself when in pursued of prey
lolenge oyo nyamankɛkɛ oyo amɛlaka na nzoto emibongisaka ntango ezali kolanda nyama oyo elyaka
the sailors and the servants cheered her wonderingly
bato ya masuwa mpe basaleli basepelaki na ye na kokamwa
She had never danced so gracefully before
Abinaki naino na kitoko boye te liboso
