Above the Palm Trees/I've Got a Friend Up Thereفوك النخل\فوق إلنا خلFoug El Nakhel/Foug Ilna Khill

We've translated many an Arabic folk song here on the blog performed by various artists, but the discussion on this song is so massive and the versions so numerous that it deserves its own post. "Fog al-Nakhel (فوق النخل)" is one of the most famous Arabic songs. It originated in Iraq and quickly spread throughout the Arabic world with the advent of radio and television. One of the earliest versions was performed by Nazem al-Ghazali, but there are others by Sabah Fakhri, Ilham al-Madfai, Kazem el-Saher and many others. Of course, the verses seem to be infinite.

I've always tried to understand the song, which eventually led me to discussion forums discussing the lyrics and meaning. That's when I discovered the open secret that the lyrics are not actually فوق النخل, or "above the palm trees," but rather فوق إلنا خل, ie "I've got a friend above/up there" however you want to translate it. According to a discussion among posters in this forum here, the original composers had intended the song to be فوق النا خل (Fog ilna khell). The story behind the song is that there is a poor young man in love with a girl that belongs to a rich family, after seeing her on their big house's balcony and exchanging glances. The song became "Foq al-Nakhel (فوق النخل)" because even though it makes the meaning quite strange, the audiences liked it better, according Sabah Fakhri and others. This explains the lyrics:

I've got a friend above
I don't know if that's the shine of your cheek or a shine above (ie the moon)
I swear I don't even want her
It's ruining me/It's causing me a problem

فوق إلنا خل فوق يابا فوق النا خل فوق
مدري لامع خدك يابا مدري لامع فوق
ولله ما ريده باليني بلوة

That is pretty much the standard chorus and after that the versions diverge greatly. I'll try to add as many versions as I can here, hopefully with the help of the readers, since lyrics are surprisingly scarce.

First and foremost is the Nazem al-Ghazali (ناظم الغزالي) version:

ناظم الغزالي - فوق النخل (فوق إلنا خل)

I have no hope for my soul, you're still my beloved
Everyone gets to be with you and my destiny is to be abandoned by you
I swear she's torturing me and she has no interest in me

مالي امل بالروح يبا بعدك حبيبي بعدك حبيبي
وصلك صفى للناس يبا هجرك نصيبي
والله معذبني وماعنده امروه

Here's the version by Sabah Fakhri (صباح فخري), the legendary Syrian singer hailing from Aleppo. I haven't included the lyrics for "albulbul nagha", which he usually performs alongside "foug al nakhel".



It contains this additional verse:

Oh river, go say hi to them for me
The separation is hard for me
I miss them

بالله يا مجرى الماي يابا سلم عليهم
صعبان الفرقه علي يابا اشتقنا إليهم

Here is the Kazem el-Saher version I found on youtube.com. I'd like to point out that Kazem days no say "yaba" rather he uses "3ayni" which means about the same thing: nothing.



Here is an Ilham al-Madfai (إلهام المدفعي) version. Note the excessive palm trees in the video.



Here's some new verses, I'll do my best:

Your cheek shined, my love, and lit up the country
I can't make my soul patient or bear this separation
I swear she's torturing me with her beautiful eyes

All the faces pass, and my eyes are only on yours
May the lord give you my love
I swear she's torturing me and she has no interest

خدك لمع ياهواي وأضوى على البلاد
مقدر أصبر الروح واتحمل البعاد
والله معذبني بعيونه الحلوة

كل البلام تفوت يابه عيني على بلمك
ومن الهوى والروح ربي يسلمك
والله معذبني وما عنده مروة

There's more versions available, but I don't really have lyrics for them.

Here is a stupid version by Dania (دانيا)



Here is George Wassouf (جورج وسوف)



Here is Palestinian band Zaman (زمان) with a flamenco version

Youssra el-Hawari - The Wallsيسرا الهواري - السورEssour

In order to prevent protests, SCAF, the military government ruling over Egypt following Mubarak's ousting, erected large walls in the city of Cairo. These walls have become a site of resistance in the form of graffiti and the like, and in this song, an even simpler expression of discontent.



Youssra el-Hawari - The Wall

In front of the wall
In front of the ones who built it
In front of the wall
In front of the ones who erected it
And in front of the one who guards it as well
A poor man stopped to pee
On the wall and those who built it, erected it, and guard it
On the wall and the ones who built it, the man peed

يسرا الهواري - السور

قدام السور قدام اللي بانيه
قدام السور قدام اللي معلّيه
قدام السور قدام اللي بانيه
قدام السور قدام اللي معلّيه
وكمان قدام اللي واقف يحميه
وكمان قدام اللي واقف يحميه
وقف راجل غلبان وعمل.. پيپي
وقف راجل غلبان وعمل.. پيپي
عالسور واللي بانيه واللي معليه واللي بيحميه
عالسور واللي بانيه الراجل عمل پیپی

وكمان قدام اللي واقف يحميه
وكمان قدام اللي واقف يحميه
وقف راجل غلبان وعمل پيپي
وقف راجل غلبان وعمل پيپي
عالسور واللي بانيه واللي معليه واللي بيحميه
عالسور واللي بانيه واللي معليه واللي بيحميه
عالسور واللي بانيه واللي معليه واللي بيحميه
عالسور واللي بانيه الراجل عمل پیپی

Souad Massi - Storytellerسعاد ماسي - راويRaoui

Updated media and translation

Souad Massi - Storyteller Oh storyteller tell us a story Make it a tale Tell me about the people of old Tell me about 1001 Nights And about Lunja the daughter of the Ghoul And about the son of the Sultan

I'm about to tell a story (I'm just told that this phrase--hajeetak majeetak--is what is said before you tell a story, I have no idea what it could mean)
Take us far from this world
I'm about to tell a story
Everyone of us has a story in his heart

Narrate and forget we're adults
In your mind we're young
Tell us about heaven and hell
About the bird that never flew in his life
Help us understand the meaning of the world

Oh storyteller, tell it just as they told you
Don't add anything, don't leave anything out
We could see into your mind
Narrate to make us forget this time
Leave us in the world of once upon a time

سعاد ماسي - راوي

يا راوي حكي حكاية

مادابك تكون رواية
حكي لي على ناس الزمان
حكي لي على ألف ليلة وليلة
وعلى لنجة بنت الغولة
وعلى ولد السلطان
حانجيتك مانجيتك
دنا بعيد من هادي دنيا
حاجيتك ماجيتك
كل واحد منا في قلبه حكاية

حكي وانسى بلي احنا كبار
في بالك رانا صغار
حكي لنا على الجنة حكي لنا على النار
على طير عمره ما طار
فهمنا معانى الدنيا

يا راوي حكي كما حكوا لك
ما تزيد ما نقص من عندك
كاين نشفوا على بالك
حكي لنسينا في هاد زمان
خلينا في كان يا ما كان

City Band – I Am Hereسيتي باند - أنا موجودAna Mawgood

This song and video have been produced in solidarity with the Egyptian youth that have died and sacrificed in the continuing revolution.

The title phrase of the song "ana mawgood" (أنا موجود) means "I am present," "I am here," or "I exist." I've translated it here in different ways depending on the context, and I've also translated it as "here I am" in some spots to give it a better sound in English. Let me know if you have any comments about the word choice.



City Band – I Am Here

I exist, but my title keeps changing
My name is youth, and I am young
I am willing to live a short life
And I am not afraid to die
Here I am

I exist, and I don’t have a card or ID
Put all your flaws on me
Throw me on the ground and stomp all over me
Keep me from making any sound
But I am here

Say that I’m spreading fitna (discord) and I am always undermining the stability
Say that I’m a kafir (infidel) and a traitor and that I’m going to hell
You are free to say what you will
I won’t object to any kind of dialogue
Yes, I’m a killer and my weapon is some stones
I am here

Here I am
Do what you want to me
And when I die, nobody ask why they killed me
And I beg you do not cry
Whoever wants to laugh can laugh, it’s not important
Nobody call out “we will not forget you”
No forget me, but don’t forget
The one who killed me is still out there

And I am gone

سيتي باند - أنا موجود

أنا موجود لكن عنوان بيتغير

أنا اسمي شباب سنه صغير

ومش رافض أعيش عمر قصير

ومش خايف أموت

أنا موجود

انا موجود لا معايا بطاقه ولا هويه

داروا عيوبكم كلها فيا

شيلوا وحطوا ودوسوا عليا

امنعوا يطلع منى الصوت

أنا موجود

وقولوا عليا بعمل فتنة وبهدم دائماً الاستقرار

وقولوا عليا كافر خاين ومكاني هيكون النار

وقولوا كلامكم بحرية أنا مش هامنع أي حوار

ايوه انا قاتل وسلاحي شوية طوب

أنا موجود

أنا موجود اعملوا فيا اللي تحبوه

ولما هاموت ما حدش يسأل ليه قتلوه

وأرجوكم ما تبكوش

اللي عايز يضحك يضحك ما يهموش

وما حدش يهتف لا ننساك لا انسوني بس ما تنسوش

اللي قتلني لسه موجود

وأنا مش موجود

Myriam Faris - La La Yaba La Laميريام فارس - لا لا يابا لاLa La Yaba La La

This is a song from a musical film starring Myriam Faris and Syrian heartthrob Basel Khayat. I feel sorry for everyone connected this film in any way.

The phrase "la la yaba la la" does not appear to have any meaning in the song, it merely serves to complete the poetic rhyming effect with the name Hala.



Myriam Faris - La La Yaba La La

La la yaba la la
My name is Hala
I've come to the city to sell these masks
And the masks sold themselves

Where is everybody?
Come out and buy a mask from me
Where are the joy, and excitement, and voices singing?

Night after night, and this pretty young girl is still all alone

If I sell a lot today, I'll buy a few gifts
A little dress for my sister and a toy for my brother

ميريام فارس - لا لا يابا لا

لالا يابا لالا
انا اسمي هاله
جايه عالمدينه بيع وجوه الزينه
والزينه باعت حالها

وين انتوا يا هالناس
طلوا اشتروا مني
وين الفرح والحراس والصوت اللي بيغني

بعد الليل ورجع الليل وبعدها الحلوي لحالها

ازا بعت اليوم كتير
باخد كام هديه لاختي فستان صغير وشي لعبه لخيه

Marcel Khalifa - Walking Tallمارسيل خليفة - منتصب القامة أمشيMuntasib al-Qamati Amshi

The words are from a poem by Samih al-Qasim سميح القاسم, an Arab Druze poet residing in Israel.

I have one comment on the phrase على كتفي نعشي / "I carry my corpse on my shoulders". This is a metaphor referring to the fact that one is proudly facing and embracing potential or imminent death or martyrdom for a cause.



Marcel Khalife - Walking Tall

I'm walking tall
I'm walking with my head held high

I carry an olive branch in my hand
And my corpse on my shoulders
As I walk and walk

My heart is a red moon
My heart is a garden
Full of boxthorn and basil (I don't know if the berries that grow on boxthorn in Palestine are considered poisonous, but I think the connotation here is that he has both sweet and bitter feelings in his heart)
My lips are a sky that rains fire sometimes and sometimes love

There's an olive branch in my hand
And my corpse is on my shoulders
As I walk and walk

مارسيل خليفة - منتصب القامة أمشي

منتصبَ القامةِ أمشي
مرفوع الهامة أمشي

في كفي قصفة زيتونٍ
وعلى كتفي نعشي
وأنا أمشي وأنا أمشي....

قلبي قمرٌ أحمر
قلبي بستان
فيه فيه العوسج
فيه الريحان
شفتاي سماءٌ تمطر
نارًا حينًا حبًا أحيان....

في كفي قصفة زيتونٍ
وعلى كتفي نعشي
وأنا أمشي وأنا أمشي

Mayada el-Hennawi - Never Againميادة الحناوي - توبةToba

Mayada el-Hennawi is a Syrian singer born in Aleppo, but in this song she is singing in the Egyptian dialect.

"Toba توبة" is an exclamation that expresses regret and the lack of desire to repeat an action used to swear off an undesirable behavior so as to say "I'll never do it again" or "I swear it's the last time." Of course, Mayada begins the song by saying "never again, never again," only to explain that she doesn't believe in "never again." A song with the same title and similar theme was popularized earlier by Abdel Halim Hafez.



Mayada al-Hennawy - Never Again

Never again, never again, never again, never again
So many people have said "I'll never love again," only to go back and write love poems and songs once more
I want to be in love this once
My life and my destiny are awaiting me

I want to sing for joy for once
I want to be happy tomorrow
At least I'll have lived
No matter how much I regret or feel sorrow

So what am I afraid of?
What am I afraid of?
I can hear my heart calling him
Why am I afraid of falling in love when it's my destiny (literally "written on my forehead")
I'll be with him, fall in love, adore him, and feel for him

Who has ever encountered love without drowning in it?
Who has ever been burned by love, swore it off and never came back to it? (meaning they always come back)
Who? Who?

ميادة الحناوي - توبة

وتوبه ...توبه توبه .... توبه توبه ...
ياما قالوا من الحب توبه
و رجعوا تانى قالوا فيه شعر و أغانى
بس اعيش الحب نوبه يا زماني و قسمتى مستنيانى

نفسى أغنى للفرح مرة
نفسى يجى هنايه بكره
اسمي عشت مهما ندمت ولا حزنت
اسمى عشت اسمي عشت

طيب خايفة ليه ؟
انا خايفة ليه ؟
سامعه قلبى يناديه
خايفه ليه من الهوى و الجبين مكتوب عليه
انى اقابله و ادوب فى حبه و اعشقه و احس بيه

وهو مين صادفه الهوى فى دنيته ما غرقش فيه
و لا مين جرحه الهوى و حلف يتوب ما رجعش ليه
مين ؟ مين ؟

Najat al-Saghira - I Love the Seaنجاة الصغيرة - انا بعشق البحرAna Bashak el Bahr

A love song performed by Egyptian singer Nagat al-Saghira (born 1936), who was very popular in the 1960's.



Najat al-Saghira - I Love the Sea

I love the sea, tender as you are
And at times, like you, crazy
Migrating, traveling.
At times, like you, confused
At times, like you, angry
At times full of silence.
I love the sea.

I love the sky
Because, like you, it's forgiving
Sown with stars and joy
A lover and a stranger.
And because, like you, it's distant
And sometimes, like you, near,
with eyes that sing.
I love the sky.

I love the road
Because on it is our meeting,
Our joy and our sorrow,
Our friends and our youth,
And on it our tears laughed
And our candles wept,
And a friend was lost.
I love the road.

I love the sea,
And I love the sky
And I love the road
Because they are life
And you, my love,
You are life itself.

نجاة الصغيرة - انا بعشق البحر

انا بعشق البحر انا بعشق البحر
زيك يا حبيبتى حنون
وسعات زيك مجنون
ومهاجر ومسافر
وسعات زيك حيران
وسعات زيك زعلان
وسعات مليان بالصمت
انا بعشق البحر

انا بعشق السما
علشان زيك مسامحة
مزروعة نجوم وفرحة
وحبيبة وغريبة
وعشان زيك بعيدة
وسعات زيك قريبة
بعيون متنغمة
انا بعشق السما

انا بعشق الطريق
لانة فية لقانة
وفرحنا وشقانا
واصحابنا وشبابنا
وفية ضحكت دمعنا
وفية بكيت شمعنا
وضاع فية الصديق
انا بعشق الطريق

انا بعشق البحر
وبعشق السما
وبعشق الطريق
لانهم حياة
وانتى يا حبيبتى
انتى كل الحياة

Fairuz - Come Back, Oh 1001 Nightsفيروز - ارجعي يا ألف ليلةIrja`i Ya Alfa Layla

In celebration of our first 1000 facebook likes, here's a song about 'alf layla' by Fairuz. It's from a musical about the 1001 Nights.

Notes: The 1001 Nights are called ألف ليلة وليلة in arabic (alf layla wa layla) or "alf layla" for short.




Fairouz - Come Back, Oh 1001 Nights

Come back, oh 1001 (literally 1000) nights, as a cloud of perfume
And may love water those thirsty for it with the dew of the dawn

My long-lasting desires have shortened my life
And your stories will be forever beautiful throughout the ages

فيروز - إرجعي يا ألف ليلة

إرجعي يا ألف ليلة غيمة العطر
فالهوى يروي غليله من ندى الفجر
إن أشواقي الطويلة أقصرت عمري
و حكاياكي خميلة في مدى الدهر

Om Kalthoum - Oh Night of Eidام كلثوم - يا ليلة العيدYa Leilat el Eid

The song "Ya Laylat al-`Eid" celebrates the end of the month of Ramadan and the beginning of the celebration (Eid means holiday/celebration) that follows. Laylat al-`Eid is the celebration that takes place after sunset on the last day of Ramadan, meaning the last day of fast is finished.



The last verse can be seen as separate from the song since it is a nationalist expression and not related really to the feelings surrounding Eid. It is specific to Egypt in this case, and since this song has spread throughout the Arab world, there are an alternate versions referring for example to the Tigris الدجلة to make the song unique to Iraq. Other verses can also appear in other versions.



The song centers on the concept/feeling of انس (ons), which can translate as "delight" or "togetherness" or "a friendly atmosphere." It is exactly the feeling that one gets when all the family and friends gather to celebrate a holiday or maybe a wedding. We don't have an exact word for this in English though certainly the feeling exists. Thus, the general sentiment of the song is one of togetherness and joy.

Oum Kalsoum - Oh Night of Eid



Oh (Night of) Eid, you've delighted us and renewed our hope



Oh Eid, your (crescent) moon has appeared before our eyes

It filled us with happiness and we sang

And we said that happiness/fortune will come to us

Upon your arrival, oh Night of Eid



You've brought all the close friends back together

And the cup has passed among the companions (here nudaman should be a plural of nadim "drinking companion" or "close friend")

And the birds are singing in the trees to greet the dawn

Oh Night of Eid



As my beloved's ship sails, my soul travels on the wind

Tell him, my dear (literally, my pretty), it's early

Sleep is forbidden (haram) on the Night of Eid



Oh Nile, your waters are sweet

You spread light throughout the fields

May you live long and prosper, oh Nile

And enjoy many Nights of Eid

ام كلثوم - يا ليلة العيد



يا ليلة العيد أنستينا

و جددت الأمل فينا

يا ليلة العيد

هلالك هل لعينينا

فرحنا له وغنينا

و قلنا السعد حا يجينا

على قدومك يا ليلة العيد



جمعتي الأنس ع الخلان

ودار الكأس ع الندمان

وغنى الطير على الأغصان

يحيي الفجر ليلة العيد



حبيبي مركبه تجرى

وروحي بالنسيم تسرى

قولوا له يا جميل بدري

حرام النوم في ليلة العيد



يا نيلنا ميتك سكر

و زرعك في الغيطان نور

تعيش يا نيل و نتهنا

و نحيي لك ليالي العيد

Majida al-Roumi - Love and Faithfulnessماجدة الرومي - الحب و الوفاءAl-Hob wal-Wafa'

A 2006 release with lyrics by Saudi poet Al Nasser and composition by Dr. Abdel Rab Idriss.


Majida el-Roumi - Love and Faithfulness

Go as you like,
And leave as you wish.
Don’t make any more promises.
Don’t wear yourself out for nothing.

You kept me in a palace,
You dressed me in silk,
You drowned my little wings in perfume
Oh, how I lost myself in the seas
Of your exciting world!
And you circled ‘round me
In your great prison

Oh, how I imagined for myself
Brightness in our nights
A flood of bliss,
For our happy dream.
And you built for me
A castle of misery

The bracelets are useless,
And the rose and the mirrors
And the velvet of the curtains
Dancing with the corners

And your holy silence
Stealing away my youth
And your unspeaking heart
Dwelling there without me.

Take your beautiful palace,
And the glory and the splendor,
And the fine marble,
And the desolation of the evenings.
I’m satisfied with little
Just love and faithfulness.

ماجدة الرومي - الحب و الوفاء

إِذهبْ كما تُريد وامضِ كما تشاء
إِذهبْ كما تُريد وامضِ كما تشاء
لا تُكثِر الوعيدْ لا تُتعِب الجفاء
لا تُتعِب الجفاء
إِذهبْ إِذهبْ إِذهبْ كما تريد
وامضِ امض إِمضِ كما تشاء
إِمضِ كما تشاء
أَسْكَنْتَني القُصورْ أَلبَسْتَني الحَريرْ
أغْرَقْتَ بالعطورْ جَناحِيَ الصَّغيرْ
كَمْ تُهْتُ في بحورْ عالمِكَ المثيرْ
وكُنْتَ بي تَدورْ في سجنكَ الكَبيرْ
كَمْ تُهْتُ في بحورْ عالمِكَ المثيرْ
وكُنْتَ بي تَدورْ في سجنكَ الكَبيرْ
كَمْ خِلْتُني أَزيدْ لِلَيلِنا الضِّياءْ
لحُلمِنا السَّعيدْ فَيضاً من الهناءْ
وَكُنتَ لي تَشيدْ كُنتَ لي تَشيدْ
صَرحاً مِنَ الشَّقاءْ
إِذهبْ إذهب إِذهبْ كما تريد
وامضِ امض إِمضِ كما تشاء
إِمضِ كما تشاء
ما نَفْعُها الأساورْ والوردُ والمرَايا
ومَخملُ السَّتائرْ يُراقصُ الزَّوايا
ما نَفْعُها الأساورْ والوردُ والمرَايا
ومَخملُ السَّتائرْ يُراقصُ الزَّوايا
وصَمتُكَ المُناورْ يَسلُبُني صِبايَ
وصَمتُكَ المُناورْ يَسلُبُني صِبايَ
والقَلْبُ لا يُحاورْ يَسكُنُهُ سِوايَ
ما نَفْعُها الأساورْ والوردُ والمرَايا
ومَخملُ السَّتائرْ يُراقصُ الزَّوايا
وصَمتُكَ المُناورْ يَسلُبُني صِبايَ
والقَلْبُ لا يُحاورْ يَسكُنُهُ سِوايَ
خُذْ قَصْرَكَ الجَميلْ والجاهَ والبهاءْ
آه آه آه
والمرْمَرَ الأصيلْ ووَحْشَةَ المساءْ
خُذْ قَصْرَكَ الجَميلْ والجاهَ والبهاءْ
والمرْمَرَ الأصيلْ ووَحْشَةَ المساءْ
قَنِعْتُ بالقَليل آه قَنِعْتُ بالقَليل
بالحبّ والوفاءْ الوفاء الوفاء
الحبّ والوفاءْ آه آه
الحبّ والوفاءْ

Lyrics transcription from La7oon.com

Sana Mousa - Your Eyesسناء موسى - عيونكOyounik

Sana Mousa is a Palestinian singer who sings mainly folk songs.



Sana Musa - Your Eyes

My bird, you'd say (maybe "you'd swear" in English to convey the meaning of extreme impeccability) that her eyes are like cups
Cups full of coffee

Your beautiful, dark eyes
Oh your eyes

My bird, you'd say that her teeth were coral (whitish coral I'm assuming)
Coral mixed with pearl

Your beautiful, dark eyes
Oh your eyes

سناء موسى - عيونك

وعيونها يا طير وتقول فنجان
فنجانة بالقهوه ممتليه
يا عيونك سود وحلوه
يا عيونك

وسنونها يا طير وتقول مرجان
مرجانة على اللولو مختليه
يا عيونك سود وحلوه
يا عيونك

Soapkills - Corn on the Cobالصابون يقتل - عرانيسAranees

Soapkills (Soap Kills) is a band from Lebanon. They are heavily influenced by electronic and trip-hop styles. This song is made up of different sounds one encounters in Beirut. The words don't make so much sense except when explained in that context (the title is عرانيس after all), so I'll explain line by line for this one as best as I can, though I should say there's not total agreement on the correct lyrics for this song.

عرانيس
عرانيس
بويا ؟؟؟؟تيريله

These are examples of "sale calls" one might here along the Corniche in Beirut. "Aranis (عرانيس)" are corn cobs, and they are sold in baked or boiled form. "Boya (بويا)" is shoe polish, and she is imitating the call of a shoeshiner, though I must say I can't figure out what she says immediately after "boyaaaa."

تعا نركب اوتوبيس
دورة, متحف, كرنيش

"Let's get on a bus from Dawra/Dora to Museum-Corniche." Dora is a neighborhood in the suburbs north of Beirut and a huge hub for buses. The Museum is a landmark in the center, the corniche being the long stretch along the water. So she's describing getting on a bus and going downtown.

قرب عالطيب قرب
لمسات شفافة جرب

"Come to this nice smell," maybe the call of somebody selling purfume. If anyone understands what the other line here refers to please tell me. She says something like "try transparent/clear/innocent touches" I don't think I've understood correctly.

عالسكين يا بطيخ
ترمس, ترمس عرانيس

"On the knife, watermelon," the call of a guy selling watermelon. "Termos, termos, aranis." Termos is a kind of bean that you can buy as a snack, called Lupin in English. Aranis again is corn on the cob.

كله نظيف, كله نحيف
كله مهفهف, كله لطيف

"It's all clean, it's all slick, it's all cool, it's all fine." You can translate these words for describing something that's "cool" in a number of ways I guess.

اه يا لطيف, تطلطف بالصبايا, يا لطيف, يا لطيف

"ya latif (يا لطيف)" basically means "daaamn." I guess this might be something like "daaamn, look at all the girls."

هرج ومرج, سوق الفرنج

"harj wa marj (هرج ومرج)" is like "hustle and bustle." "Souq el-frenj" is a market

تاكسيات بتكرج كرج

"taxis parking"

كله نظيف, كله خلنج

"it's all clean, it's all brand new"

والاسواق زي الشطرنج

"and the markets are like chess"

نظيفة ظريفة زي الثلج

"clean and cool as ice"

فيها الشبان بتتمايل

"there's guys leaning/swaying," maybe this refers to walking with swagger. normally I would think "tamayul (تمايل)" describes the way girls walk but from the context it could be referring to the way guys walk to get attention, since the following line is:

والبنات بتغنج غنج

"and the girls are flirting/making eyes." "ghanj (غنج)" refers to the actions associated with being flirtatious.

Mashrou' Leila - Dressesمشروع ليلى - فساتينFasateen

Mashrou' Leila is a Lebanese band. This song is about a guy and a girl who agree to be together just for love's sake, without any of the traditional trappings of marriage and domesticity, but in the end she changes her mind and leaves him.



Mashrou' Leila - Dresses

Do you remember when you told me that you'd love me (the way I am) without money or a house?
Do you remember that you used to love me even though I'm not from your religion?
Do you remember how it used to be like that?
Do you remember when your mom caught me sleeping in your bed, and she told me to forget you
And we agreed to continue this way without playing any roles or showing off, without any neckties or morning visits (from the ladies) (here we have some cultural things طنطنات is like putting on airs and صبحيات is when the ladies come over to visit and gossip in the morning over coffee. in short, they agree not to do any of the traditional stuff typical of marriage in middle class Lebanese society)

Without any millions
Without any dresses (I think wedding dresses here, i.e. not traditional)

You took my hand and promised me some revolution
How could you forget me?
You brushed my hair and sent me off to work
However you brushed, you brushed me the same

You took my hand and promised me some revolution
How could you forget me?

Do you remember when you told me that you intended to leave me with no money and no house

مشروع ليلى - فساتين

تتذكري لما قلتيلي
انك رح تتزوجيني
بلا فلوس وبلا بيت

تتذكري كنتي تحبيني
مع اني مش داخل دينك
تتذكري كيف كنا هيك

تتذكري لما امك
شافتني نايم بتختك
وقالتلي انسى عنك

واتفقنا نضلنا هيك
بلا ادوار وبلا طنطنات
بلا كرافات وصبحيات

بلا ملايين
بلا فساتين

مسكتيلي ايدي ووعديتيني بشي ثورة
كيف نسيتي كيف نسيتيني
ومشطتينيلي شعري وبعتيني عالدوام
كيف بتمشطي مشطيني

مسكتيلي ايدي ووعديتيني بشي ثورة
كيف نسيتي كيف نسيتيني

تتذكري لما قلتيلي
انك ناوية تتركيني
بلا فلوس وبلا بيت

Samira Tawfiq - Stop Coming to Our Neighborhoodسميرة توفيق - بسك تيجي حارتناBassek Tiji Haretna

Samira Tawfiq (also Tawfik, Toufic, Toufiq etc) is a Lebanese singer who became very popular in 70s and 80s (and was a minor obsession, for example, in Mohamed al-Maghout's "I Will Betray My Country سأخون وطني"). Her style is heavily influenced by the folk music and dialects of rural Lebanese society much like Najwa Karam in the following generation.



Samira Tawfiq - Stop Coming to Our Neighborhood

Stop coming to our neighborhood (my dear)
And looking all around us (oh God) (here titlaffat تتلفت describes the action of wandering around the neighborhood looking at everybody kind of turning the head when something interesting, like girls for example, pass by)
Are your eyes on our neighbor? (my dear)
Or are your eyes on us/me? (oh God)

What brought you to our neighborhood anyway (my dear)
You're hiding in the alleys (my God)
You won't find any brides here (my dear)
Waya 3awayd al-khizrani (my God) (عويد الخيزراني is apparently a beating stick, so she's saying that he won't find any girls that like you here, just a stick to beat you back)

Between Beirut and Damascus/Sayda/Hamra etc (the folk song allows for variations to mention different locations that the listeners might be familiar with or be from, this implies that the audience/speaker in the song is in a village somewhere along the road between two points)
A red car passed by (in other verses she says a white car or a green car for variation)
That was your car my dear
I knew it from the license plate

سميرة توفيق - بسك تيجي حارتنا

بسك تجي حارتنا (يا عيوني)
وتتلفت حوالينا (الله الله)
عينك على جارتنا (يا عيوني)
ولا عينك علينا (الله الله)

وايش جابك على حارتنا
وتتخبى بالقراني
وعرايس ماكو عندنا
ويا عويد الخيزراني

بين بيروت وبين الشام
مرقت سيارة حمرا
وهاي سيارتك حبيبي
وانا عرفتها من النمرة

DAM - Stranger in My Countryدام - غريب في بلاديGhareeb Fi Blady

The intro is a sample of Tawfiq Ziad's poem "Unadikum (I'm calling you)," which has been performed by Ahmed Qabour here.

DAM - Stranger in My Country Tawfiq Ziad: I'm calling you I shake your hand I kiss the ground beneath your feet and tell you "I will redeem you" And I give you the light of my eyes And the warmth of my heart And the tragedy which I live Is that my fate is just like yours

Mohamed:

All the boats pass us by leaving a sadness to drown our hearts
So we becomes guests of the darkness in our homes
And the verse is flipped again
We've become guests who are unwelcome
Strangers in our own land, separated from our country
Who cares about our worries?
A slow death runs in our blood
A democratic Zionist regime is ruling us
Democratic to those who are Zionist
And Zionist to those who are Arab
In other words, what is forbidden for him is forbidden for me
And what's allowed for him is forbidden for me
And what's allowed for me is undesirable for me
Because it denies my existence
It erased and continues to erase my colors
History has forgotten my ancestors and brainwashes my children
That wake up to a present that doesn't represent them
The blue citizenship (Israeli citizenship) we piss out and drink of its water
You tell us we are part of the people and the people make us feel like foreigners
I am a stranger in my country

Amal Basharat:

Where can I go, strangers have occupied my home?
My soul told me, "the embrace of your family will protect you my dear"
Where can I go?
My brothers and sisters didn't care about my situation
My soul told me, "walk with your head held high!"

Suheil:

We see faces that don't want us around
Glances that fear us, whispers that curse us
Gestures driving us away and oppressing us
They're forgetting that our ancestors built these buildings
And our brothers are still building their foundations
And their foundation is the Arabs of the Mosques and the Churches
In the end people from another country screaming "transfer" at me
We're complaining to laws that digest our rights
Suppress our voices
Inside the green line (ie the division between Israel and the Occupied territories) destroying our homes
Unemployment encircles us
We grow up in poverty and poverty raises our minds
But our hearts live and preserve our roots
Those who call us traitors
No no no no
I have never been worthless in my country
The tragedies of my people are what have written my fate
The world until this point has treated us like Israelis
And Israel is always going to treat us like Palestinians
I'm a stranger in my country

Tamer:

Thirteen martyrs, destiny is near
With rocks in hand, thirteen martyrs
The greatness of our country, the pillar of our country
Black October proved that it's in our blood
If everyone is born under occupation
How can they not throw back at the past? (reference to stone throwing)
Rather, throw himself like a sword
Battling the weapons that consider our blood water
Killing the peaceful voice with live ammunition
As a tear of pain cries "I am running down an Arab cheek"
Muhammad and Jesus Christ, we're a mountain that the wind cannot shake
We keep representing nationalism
Symbols of freedom
The flame of our grandfathers lights the soul of the youth
I am a stranger in my country
But I thank the lord that I hold onto my heritage
They called me a traitor
An Arab inside the 48 boundaries (Arabs who stayed in Israel after most of the Arabs were driven out in 1948 to establish an Arab state are view by other Palestinians and Arabs as traitors sometimes)
While you got your hand on your head
We are the roots of Palestine
Forever and always

دام - غريب في بلادي

: توفيق زياد
اناديكم . اشد على اياديكم
وابوس الرض تحت نعالكم
واقول افديكم. واهديكم ضيا عيني
ودفء القلب اعطيكم . فمأساتي اللتي احياها
نصيبي من ماسيكم

: محمود

كل السفن تفوتنا
تاركة الحزن يغرق
قلوبنا راضية نكون ضيوف الظلم ببيوتنا
والاية انقلبت كمان مرة
صرنا ضيوف اللي غير مرغوب فينا
مكتوب لينا نضلنا غراب على ارضنا
بعاد من وطنا
مين يهمه همنا
موت بطيء يجري بدمنا
حاكمنا حكم صهيوني ديموقراطي
ديموقراطي للنفس الصهيونية
وصهيوني للنفس العربية
يعني الممنوع اله ممنوع الي
المسموح اله ممنوع الي
والمسموح الي مكروه الي
لأنه ينكر حياتي
محى وما زال يمحي الواني
تاريخ ناسي جدادي
يغسل دماغ ولدي
اللي توعى على حاضر ما يمثلها
الجنسية الزرقة نبلها ونشرب ميتها
تقلنا انو احنا من الشعب والشعب يحسسنا انه احنا غربى
انا غريب في بلدي

: امل بشارات

لوين اروح
الغربة احتلت داري
قالتلي الروح
حضن اهلك يحمي الغالي
لوين اروح
اخواتي ما اهتموا بحالي
قالتلي الروح
منتصب القامة امشي

: سهيل

احنا شايفين وجوه مش رايدانا
نظرات قرفانانا
همسات سابانا
اشارات طردانا قاهرانا
ناسية انه اجدادنا اسسو المباني
واخوانا ما زالو يعمرو اساسها
واساسها عرب المسجد والدير
اخرها الناس من بلد غير
تصرخلي ترانسفير
احنا شاكيين لقوانين هاضمة حقوقنا
كاتمة صوتنا
داخل الخط الأخضر هادمة بيوتنا
البطالة تحومنا
نربى بفقر وفقر يربي عقولنا
لكن تحيي قلوبنا اللي تحيي جذورنا
اللي ينادونا خونا
لا لا لا لا
انا ما هنت في وطني
مآسي شعبي كتبتلي قدري
انه العالم لليوم بعاملنا اسرائيليين
واسرائيل لبكرة تعاملنا فلسطينيين
غريب في بلدي

: تامر

ثلاثة عشر شهيد والقدر قريب
لما الحجر باليد 13 شهيد
علء وطنا. عماد وطنا
اكتوبر السود اثبت انه
القياد بدمنا
اذا الكل فيهم وليد تحت الحتلل
كيف مش رامي الماضي
بل رامي حاله كالسيف الماضي
يعارك سلح الحاسب دمنا مي
يقتل الصوت المصلح برصاصه الحي
ودمعة الم تصيح انا اسيل عخد عربي
محمد والمسيح يا جبل ما يهزنا ريح
نضل رامز القومية
وسام الحرية
شعلة اجدادنا منورة الروح الشبابية
انا غريب في بلدي
لكن احمد ربي اني متمسك بتراثي
نادوني خاين
عربي الداخل ال 48
وايدك عراسك احنا جذور فلسطين
لطول العمر

Makhoul Kassouf - The Doors of Happinessمخول قاصوف - بواب الفرحBwab al Farah

This is in my opinion one of the nicest songs recorded in Arabic. The artist, Makhoul Kassouf (مخول قاصوف) often is off the radar of most Arabic music listeners, however, his music has been a major contribution to the modern Lebanese music scene, and he has often collaborated with such artists as Ziad Rahbani.

"The Doors of Happiness (بواب الفرح)" was recorded at the end of the 1980s, and reflects the growing feeling of distress that by that time had become despair after more than a decade of continuous civil wars in Lebanon. It is sung by Sami Hawat (سامي حواط).



Click here to download

Makhoul Qassouf - The Doors of Happiness I banged on the doors of happiness so much that the planks fell off The echo hiding behind the threshold escaped The children scattered Nothing remains in the shadow of these walls Not even ruins to say there was a country here

مخول قاصوف - بواب الفرح

من كترما دقيت ع بواب الفرح هرهروا الخشبات
فـل الصدى اللاطي ورا العتبة
فلفلوا الولاد
ما ضل بفي هالحيطان ولو خربة تقول
هون كان في بلاد

Fouad Ghazi - I'll Plant You a Rose Gardenفؤاد غازي - لزرعلك بستان ورودLazraa lik Bustan Wuroud

Updated lyrics, translation and info

Fouad Ghazi is a Syrian singer from the Hama province. He was very popular during the 1980s and was known for his distinctly "mountain (jabali)" style of singing typical of the Syrian coast. Although he withdrew from the spotlight during the nineties, his music remains popular today. "Rose Garden (بستان ورود)" is arguably his most famous work.

Fouad Ghazi - I'll Plant You a Rose Garden I'll plant you a rose garden And a little tree to give you shade And spin for you from the light of the sun A bracelet to adorn your hand

And I'll bring you from the farthest sea
The prettiest pearl you can find
And I'll steal for you from around the full moon
The most beautiful star and keep it

And I'll build you a lofty palace
And carry you on my wings
And spin for you from the light of the sun
A bracelet to adorn your hand

If you want pearls and corals
I'll bring you a whole chest-full
And if you want the hat of a fairy
I'm not gonna tell you no, no no

And if you want, oh willow branch
I'll hide you in my eyes (meaning he'll watch over her)
And spin for you from the light of the sun
A bracelet to adorn your hand

My beauty, there's a secret in your eyes
Enchanting me and melting me (i.e. making me fall in love)
Words stronger than pearl
My love for you is always keeping me up

Being near you is bitter and so is being close
And so is the myrrh tree in your eyes (I think referring to the tree in keeping with the theme of nature imagery)
I'll spin for you from the light of the sun
A bracelet to adorn your hand

فؤاد غازي - لأزرعلك بستان ورود

لزرعلك بستان ورود
وشجره صغيرة تفييكي

واغزلك من نور الشمس
اسواره تزين ايديكي

و رح جبلك من ابعد بحر
احلا درة بلائيها
و اسرئلك من حول البدر
اجمل نجمة و خبيها

و عمرلك بالعالي قصر
و عجناحاتي وديكي
واغزلك من نور الشمس
اسواره تزين ايديكي

لو بدك لولو ومرجان
راح اجيبلك خزنه بحالها
ولو بدك طاقية الجان
ماني راح اقولك لا لا لا

ولو بدك ياغصن البان
جوه عيوني بخبيكي
واغزلك من نور الشمس
اسواره تزين بايديكي

يا حلوة بعيونك سر
ساحرني ومدوبني
كلماتك اقوى من الدر
وحبك دوم مسهرني

قربك مر وبعدك مر
ومر المر فى عنيكي
لغزلك من نور الشمس
اسواره تزين بايديكي

Lyrics transcription from here

Mohamed Munir - Raise Your Voiceمحمد منير - علي صوتكAlli Sotak

Updated translation and media

The translation in the youtube video is good too, but there are some added words that I'm not sure are really in the lyrics, that is, it is a translation designed to convey to the viewer a similar meaning, but with added words to make it sound better.

Muhammed Munir is a musician and actor from Nubia, in Upper Egypt.

Mohamed Munir - Raise Your Voice Raise your voice in song We can still sing And song is still so much part of our lives Raise your voice in song, song is still possible Raise your voice in song, song is still possible

And if one day you feel you'll break
You must stand tall
Standing just as a palm tree stretching towards the sky
Don't be defeated, don't break down
Don't be afraid
Be a dream blossoming in the desert

Raise your voice in song
We can still sing

Your song among the chorus shakes my joyous heart
Healing all my wounds
When you dance, I dance, I'm compelled to dance
Our dreams become intertwined
When you dance, I dance, I'm compelled to dance
Don't be defeated, don't break down
Don't be afraid
Be a dream blossoming in the desert

Raise your voice in song
We can still sing

محمد منير - علي صوتك

على صوتك بالغنى لسه الاغانى ممكنة, ممكنة
ولسه يامه ياما ياماه فى عمرنا
على صوتك بالغنى لسه الاغانى ممكنة, ممكنة

ولو فى يوم راح تنكسر لازم تقوم
واقف كما النخل باصص للسما للسما
ولا انهزام ولا انكسار ولا انهزام ولا انكسار
ولا خوف ولا ولا حلم نابت فى الخلا

على صوتك بالغنى لسه الاغانى ممكنة, ممكنة

غنوتك وسط الجموع تهز قلبى اللى انفرح
تداوى جرحى اللى انجرح
غنوتك وسط الجموع تهز قلبى اللى انفرح
تداوى جرحى اللى انجرح

ترقص ارقص غصب عنى ارقص
غصب عنى غصب عنى ارقص
ينشبك حلمك فى حلمى
ترقص ارقص غصب عنى غصب عنى ارقص
ولا انهزام ولا انكسار ولا انهزام ولا انكسار
ولاخوف ولا ولا حلم نابت فى الخلا

علي صوتك بالغنى لسه الاغانى ممكنة, ممكنة, ممكنة

Amr Diab - One of Usعمرو دياب - واحد مناWahed Menena

This song was made for Hosni Mubarak, FORMER President of Egypt. Congratulations Egypt that you can finally watch this video and laugh.



Amr Diab - One of Us

He who sacrificed for his country in order to bring back the day (this could be "the one who" or "those who," i.e. generic genderless third person but we know it's about him)
And for whom the name of Egypt represented strength and victory

He whose dream is our dream
He whose joy is our joy
The Nile flows in his blood and ours

He is one of us, yes one of us

What is Egypt but trueness and people with good hearts?
Egypt is the hand building for our children the dream of tomorrow and years ahead

And he who holds her (Egypt's) name high
Is worth more to us than our own lives

He is one of us, yes one of us

عمرو دیاب - واحد مننا

اللي ضحي لأجل وطنه لأجل ما يعود النهار و اللي أسم مصر دايما كان له طاقة الإنتصار ..

اللي حلمه حلمنا .. و اللي فرحه فرحنا .. اللي نهر النيل بيجري جوه دمه و دمنا ..
يبقي واحد مننا .. أيوة واحد مننا ..

مصر إيه غير الأصالة و القلوب الطيبين
مصر إيد تبني لولادنا .. حلم بكرة و السنين

و اللي يرفع أسمها .. يبقي أغلي عندنا من حياتنا نفسها ..
يبقي واحد مننا .. أيوة واحد مننا