More than one of the readers has correctly pointed out that there was a major problem with the original lyrics, and as a result, the translation, that in fact completely distorts the meaning of the song, or at least undermines its poetics. I've redone the translation so that hopefully it will make more sense now...
The title "ya magnuun (يا مجنون)" which means "O madman" refers to an old Arabic story, which in fact, is uncannily similar to Romeo and Juliet and precedes it by centuries. This is the story of Qays the Madman (Al Magnuun) and his lover Layla. The story goes back to poetry of the Omayyad, that is, the 7th century, and is based on poetry that said Qays wrote about his lover Layla. The corollary to this story is that Layla's father forbade Qays from marrying her, and this drove him insane, thus making him "Majnuun Layla (مجنون ليلى)" "the guy that went crazy from Layla" a.k.a. "Layla's madman."
And for this reason Asala says "O madman, I'm not Layla" i.e. "I'm not Layla (from the stories), so stop acting so crazy."
This is one of Asala's most famous songs that really catapulted her to a high level of stardom. Although she's Syrian, this song is in the Egyptian dialect I guess in order to appeal to a larger audience.
Sometimes you complain to the sky
Sometimes you talk to the night
But my heart has been through hell
So many times it has been through hell
O madman
You are causing a problem
You still haven't made up your mind
But my heart has decided
Yeah, my heart has decided
O madman
O madman, I'm not Layla
And I'm not in your love's airs tonight
Why do you want me to say I love you?
I love you, but I'm not saying it
O madman
The title "ya magnuun (يا مجنون)" which means "O madman" refers to an old Arabic story, which in fact, is uncannily similar to Romeo and Juliet and precedes it by centuries. This is the story of Qays the Madman (Al Magnuun) and his lover Layla. The story goes back to poetry of the Omayyad, that is, the 7th century, and is based on poetry that said Qays wrote about his lover Layla. The corollary to this story is that Layla's father forbade Qays from marrying her, and this drove him insane, thus making him "Majnuun Layla (مجنون ليلى)" "the guy that went crazy from Layla" a.k.a. "Layla's madman."
And for this reason Asala says "O madman, I'm not Layla" i.e. "I'm not Layla (from the stories), so stop acting so crazy."
This is one of Asala's most famous songs that really catapulted her to a high level of stardom. Although she's Syrian, this song is in the Egyptian dialect I guess in order to appeal to a larger audience.
| Assala Nasri - O Madman O madman, I'm not Layla And I'm not in your love's airs tonight Why do you want me to say I love you? I love you, but I'm not saying it O madman |  |
Sometimes you complain to the sky
Sometimes you talk to the night
But my heart has been through hell
So many times it has been through hell
O madman
You are causing a problem
You still haven't made up your mind
But my heart has decided
Yeah, my heart has decided
O madman
O madman, I'm not Layla
And I'm not in your love's airs tonight
Why do you want me to say I love you?
I love you, but I'm not saying it
O madman
أصالة نصري - يا مجنون
يا مجنون مش انا ليلى
ولا بنسمة هواك الليلة
عايزني أقول بحبك ليه؟
بحبك بسي مش قايلة
يا مجنونة
ساعة تشكي للسماء
ساعة تحكي لليل
لكن قلبي شاف الويل
ياما شاف الويل
يا مجنون
انت عامل مشكلة
يعنى لسه محتار
ناسي اني قلبي اختار
ايوه قلبي اختار
يا مجنون
يا مجنون مش انا ليلى
ولا بنسمة هواك الليلة
عايزني أقول بحبك ليه؟
بحبك بسي مش قايلة
يا مجنونة
No comments:
Post a Comment