Cheb Khaled - Oran, oh Oranشاب خالد - وهران وهرانWahrane, Wahrane

Updated media and translation

Wahrane is the Arabic name for the city known in English of Oran on the coast of Algeria. It was the birthplace of Rai, however, when an Islamist party took power in Algeria during the mid 90s many of the musicians left the country because the government became hostile towards them. This song was recorded by Khaled after he left, and reflects the nostalgia and longing that many emigrants to France and other countries from North Africa experience, living in what is known in Arabic as el-Ghorba (الغربة) that should be understood as "estrangement," "homesicknees," or "being far away from home and out of place."

There are extra verses in the live performance, which is much more recent than the album version upon which these lyrics are based. However, I don't have the lyrics for these extra verse nor do I understand them.

Cheb Khaled - Wahrane, Wahrane Wahrane, Wahrane you went to hell Those who were smart ran away from you They remain confused in their exile And that exile is hard and traitorous

My happiness is with the children of el Hamri (a district of Oran)
Children of the city and Sidi el Houari (a neighborhood in Oran where Khaled was from)
I spent my youth with them
My art is for them as long as I live

How beautiful are the nights my country
The flutes and drums echo
Oh those who are going to her
Ask them to take care of my country

I'll never forget my countr
My land and the land of my ancestors
I asked my family about the people
Seems they've left their religion and turned to the bottle (litearlly, followed the cup)

A dozen cups on the table
Drank ten of them with no effect
Sorry for the the empty space
Her beauty was a wondrous beauty

Sadness entered in my heart
And so I cry and call out

خالد - وهران وهران

وهران وهران رحتي خساره
هجروا منك ناس شطارى
قعدوا في الغربه حيارى
و الغربه صعيبه و غداره

يا فرحي على اولاد الحمري
اولاد مدينه و سيدي الهواري
عديت معاهم صغري
لهم فني طول عمري

ما احلى صهريات بلادي
القصبه و القلالي صادي
يا اللي ماشين ليها غادي
وصوا يتهلوا في بلادي

عمري ما ننسى بلادي
أرضي و أرض اجدادي
وصيت اهلي على الناس
تركوا دينهم و تبعوا الكاس

يا الزينه بالكاس و المايده
راه عشره بلا فايده
وعدي على الطحطحه وعدي
كان زينها زين الودادي
رجعت غمه في فؤادي
وليت نبكي و ننادي

Cheb Khaled - To Flee But Where?شاب خالد - الهربة وين؟El-Harba Wine?

Although the video appears as a happy Bollywood scene, as you can see, the lyrics reflect a much more pessimistic outlook. This is actually the remix of one Cheb Khaled's ealier songs that embodied the frustrations of Algerian youth during the 80s and 90s. The Urdu lyrics are sung by Amar from Asian Underground were translated by Tabassum Siraj.

Cheb Khaled - To Flee But Where? The sweetness of time is gone Gone are goodness and the sense of shame Prosperity sprouted wings and flew Even the heart of man Transformed and returned to tar The world became a flooded paradise and void

Such days have come upon the world
Honesty and love have left the peoples' hearts
Even good people lost their heart
All the roads are closing

Oh demon world
Problems and sadness
Where is the answer?

The world is gone, it's over
There's no one left who is ok
Like a smashed mirror
There is no balance

The house in which there was gold
That house is now empty
These hearts which held the answers
Are no longer there

To flee but where?
To flee but where?
To flee but where?
Tell me oh poor soul
Oh I have cried
Oh I have suffered

No hope remains in the world
Only roaring and rage
Look see the brave have all become cowards
You don't hear anything but "once upon a time"
They cut into the flesh of man
They drink the blood of their brothers
No life no fear

There is no hope in our hearts
We just live and die
Nobody has any shame
Listen to the people talking
They drink each other's blood
Our honor cries

Oh demon world
Oh troubles and sadness
Someone understands

Man was crushed
And little is planted in the earth
It remains immobile and sleepy
The times have gone sour

In front of my eyes
This world has broken
The saviors are sitting
With their eyes closed

To flee but where?
To flee but where?
To flee but where?
Tell me oh poor soul
Oh I have cried
Oh I have suffered

شاب خالد - الهربة وين؟

راحت حلاوة الزمان
راح الخير و راح الشين
البركه دارت جنحان.. طارت... علّت
حتى من قلب الانسان
تحوّل و رجع قطران
الدنيا رجعت طوفان جنات و خلات

duniya pe aise din
aaj kal aye hai
sachai aur pyar dilo se udh gaye hai
acche dil walo ke bhi dil
dil kale ho gaye hai
sab raste bhi band ho rahe hai

اااه دنية الشيطان
مشاكل و احزان
hai kahan jawab

الدنيا راحت خلاص
ما كان من فيها لا باس
كي المراه كي تهرس
لا من هو عنده مقياس

jis ghar mein sona tha
wo ghar ab khali hai
jis dil main the jawab
wo dil an na rahen

وين الهربه وين
وين الهربه وين
وين الهربه وين
قول لي قول لي يا مسكين
وين الهربه وين
وين الهربه وين
وين الهربه وين
قول لي قول لي يا مسكين
ايه اه بكيت
ايه اه شكيت
ايه اه بكيت
ايه اه شكيت
ايه اه بكيت
ايه اه شكيت
ايه اه بكيت
ايه اه شكيت

ما بقى في الدنيا آمال
غير الهدره و الحقدان
الشجاع يرجع جبان عيش تشوف

ما تسمع غير كان و كان
يقطعوا في لحم الانسان
يشربوا في دم الاخوان
لا حيا لا خوف

iss dill mein aas nahin hai
sirf jecte marte hai
kisi ko sharm ko koi pata na hai
logo ki baate sun sun ke
ik diye ka lahoo peete hai
aur sharm hamari rotihai

اااه دنية الشيطان
يا مشاكل و احزان
koi samajh jae

الراجل راح تهرس
و القليل في الطين انغرس
باقي غير ماشي و ينعس
و الوقت راه تكربس

saamneankhon ke mere
yeh dunya tooti hai
bachane wale ankhen
bandh kar ke baithe hai

الهربه وين
الهربه وين
وين الهربه وين
قول لي قول لي يا مسكين
الهربه وين
وين وين وين وين
الهربه وين
قول لي قول لي يا مسكين
eh ah eh ah eh ah eh ah
eh ah eh ah eh ah eh ah

Cheb Khaled - Aishaشاب خالد - عائشةAicha

This song was written by the legendary French songwriter Jean-Jacques Goldman.

Khaled - Aicha As if I don't exist She was passing by me With no regard, the Queen of Sheeba I said, Aisha, take this, all of it is for you

Here, the pearls, the jewels,
also the gold around your neck
The fruits, well ripe with the taste of honey
And my life, Aisha if you love me!

I will go where your breath leads me,
In the countries of ivory and ebony
I will erase your tears, your sorrows
Nothing is too beautifull for a girl so beautiful

Aisha, Aisha listen to me
Aisha, Aisha don't go
Aisha, Aisha look at me
Aisha, Aisha answer me

I would say the words, the poems
I would play the music of the sky
I would take the rays of the sun
to light up your dreamy eyes

Ooh! Aisha, Aisha listen to me
Aisha, Aisha don't go

She said: "Keep your treasures,
Me, I'm worth more than that.
Bars are still bars even if made of gold.
I want the same rights as you
and respect for each day,
Me I want only love."

(In Arabic)
I want you Aisha and I love you to death
You are master of my life and my love
You are my years and my life
I hope to live with you, only you

خالد - عائشة

Comme si je n'existais pas,
elle est passée à côté de moi
Sans un regard, reine de Saba,
j'ai dit, Aïcha, prends, tout est pour toi

Voici, les perles, les bijoux,
aussi l'or autour de ton cou
Les fruits, biens mûrs au goût de miel,
ma vie, Aicha si tu m'aimes!

J'irai où ton souffle nous mène,
dans les pays d'ivoire et d’ébène
J'effacerais tes larmes, tes peines,
rien n'est trop beau pour une si belle

Aïcha, Aïcha écoute-moi,
Aïcha, Aïcha t'en vas pas,
Aïcha, Aïcha regarde moi,
Aïcha, Aïcha reponds-moi

Je dirais les mots les poèmes,
je jouerais les musiques du ciel,
je prendrais les rayons du soleil,
pour élairer tes yeux de rêves

Oooh! Aïcha, Aïcha écoute-moi,
Aïcha, Aïcha t'en vas pas

Elle a dit: "Garde tes trésors,
moi, je vaux mieux que tout ça.
Des barreaux sont des barreaux même en or
Je veux les mêmes droits que toi
Et du respect pour chaque jour,
moi je ne veux que l'amour"

نبغيك عايشة ونموت عليك
هادي سيدة حياتي وحبي
انت عمري وانت حياتي
تمنيت نعيش معك غير انت

Cheb Khaled - The Doll Who Says NoLa Poupée Qui Fait Non - شاب خالد

A duet with Mylene Farmer

Cheb Khaled - The Doll Who Says No It is a doll who says no, no, no, no Throughout the day no, no, no, no She is… She is so pretty That I dream about her at night It is a doll who says no, no, no, no Throughout the day no, no, no, no Nobody never taught her That she could say yes Without listening, she says no Without looking at me, she says no Though I would give her my life To make her say yes Though I would give her my life To make her say yes It is a doll who says no, no, no, no Throughout the day no, no, no, no Nobody never taught her That she could say yes Ho, no, no, no, no She say no, no, no…

La Poupée Qui Fait Non - شاب خالد

C'est une poupée qui fait non, non, non, non
Toute la journée elle fait non, non, non, non
Elle est, elle est tell'ment jolie
Que j'en rêve la nuit
C'est une poupée qui fait non, non, non, non
Toute la journée elle fait non, non, non, non
Personne ne lui a jamais appris
Qu'on pouvait dire oui
Sans même écouter elle fait non, non, non, non
Sans me regarder elle fait non, non, non, non
Pourtant je donnerais ma vie
Pour qu'elle dise oui
Pourtant je donnerais ma vie
Pour qu'elle dise oui
Mais c'est une poupée qui fait non, non, non, non
Toute la journée elle fait non, non, non, non
Personne ne lui a jamais appris
Qu'on pouvait dire oui
Oh, non, non, non, non non, non, non, non
Ell' fait non, non, non, non

Cheb Khaled - The Day Will ComeLe Jour Viendra

Another song from Khaled's ablum "Sahra" teaming up with Jean-Jacques Goldman.

Cheb Khaled - The Day Will Come And the night was outstretching its arms to cradle the day And the shadows of our footsteps were walking to the rhythm of love The fire was playing in the water as brothers do Was it true or was it a dream? Oh the day will come

The big lions calmed down were drinking near the gazelles
The tempests were rising to quench the embers
I have seen flowers in the middle of a desert
Is it the truth or just another chimera?
Oh the day will come

I have seen the summer self effaced in salute of September
The instruments tuning up to invent together
Rainbows illuminating storms
Was I asleep?
Was it only a mirage ?
Oh the day will come

If God made us hands, it is only to caress
If he made arms, it is to protect
Our brain to invent and our voices to sing
Change dreams into reality

I have seen stones softer than the softest velvet
And thorns dying at the first words of love
I have seen the peace blessing my beloved country
Was it true or was it only a dream ?
Oh the day will come, the day will come…


Cheb Khaled - Le Jour Viendra

Et la nuit tendait les bras pour y bercer le jour
Et les ombres de nos pas marchaient au pas de l'amour
Le feu jouait dans l'eau comme jouent des frères
Etait-ce vrai ou bien n'était-ce qu'un rêve ?
Oh... Le jour viendra

Les grands lions apaisés buvaient près des gazelles
Les tempêtes se levaient pour éteindre les braises
J'ai vu des fleurs au beau milieu d'un désert
La vérité ou juste une autre chimère ?
Mmm... Le jour viendra

J'ai vu l'été s'effacer en saluant septembre
Les instruments s'accorder pour inventer ensemble
Des arcs-en-ciel illuminer des orages
Etais-je endormi, n'était-ce qu'un mirage ?
Oh... Le jour viendra

Si Dieu nous a fait des mains ce n'est que pour caresser
S'il a fait des bras c'est pour protéger
Nos cerveaux pour inventer et nos voix pour chanter
Changer les rêves en réalité

J'ai vu des cailloux plus doux que le plus doux des velours
Et des épines mourir au premier des mots d'amour
J'ai vu la paix bénir mon pays que j'aime
Etait-ce vrai ou bien n'était-ce qu'un rêve ?
Oh... Le jour viendra Le jour viendra Le jour viendra Le jour viendra Le jour viendra Le jour viendra...

Diana Haddad and Khaled - Diamonds and Pearlsديانا حداد وخالد - ماس ولوليMas we LoulyDiamants et Perles

Diana Haddad and Khaled - Diamonds and Pearls Diana: They brought me diamonds and pearls I said I didn't want them I don't want anyone but my darling In these eyes of mine Khaled: Ah the beauties of her eye He sparked my fire and lit it I search and speak I search and complain But I find no benefit

Unison:
My soul my soul, my soul is with him
I can't forget his love

Khaled:
Burning the midnight oil in my eyes
Your eyes sleep at night
Confused my soul has left me from seeing too much torment
In love, complete me, take mand fly away with me

Diana:
Wandering in your black eyes
I forgot my words
And I've promised you my heart forever
Leaning in the night
Complaining to myself about what's wrong with me

Khaled:
How can I tell everyone I've loved again?
Your eyes bid me farewell for good and walk away
There is a precious love in your hands
I swear to god it's precoius
Everything in me

Diana:
You satisfy me
You're most precious to me and my soul is yours
In my eye, you are the crown jewel and die for you
What you said to me is enough for me
Say it again
That you're in love with me

ديانا حداد وخالد - ماس ولولي

ديانا:
جابولي ماس و لولي قلت أنا ما رايده
ما رايده غير حبيبي جوّا عيوني هيدا

خالد:
آه من حلوات عيونه ولّع ناري قايدة
ندور نحكي ندور نشكي ما نلقى فايدة

الاثنين:
روحي روحي، روحي معاه
أنا ما بقدر انسى هواه

خالد:
سهرانة في عيوني تنام عينك بالليل
حيرانة، روحي مني تروح من شوف الويل
عشقانة، كمّليني صيري منّي طيري بيّ

ديانا:
رحّالة بين عينيك السود و نسيت كلامي
و الحالة قلبي بيك موعود أيام و سنين
ميّالة في الليالي، اشكي حالي، من اللي بيّ

الاثنين:
روحي روحي، روحي معاه
أنا ما بقدر انسى هواه

خالد:
يرضيكي كيف بقولوا الناس حبيت جديد؟
عينيكي ودّعوني خلاص و مشيت بعيد
بإيديكي حب غالي و الله غالي كل شي فيّ

ديانا:
ترضيني، انت أغلى الناس و انا روحي فيك
في عيني، انت تاج الراس و نموت عليك
يكفيني قلتها لي، قولها تاني، دبت فيّ

الاثنين:
روحي روحي، روحي معاه
أنا ما بقدر انسى هواه

Cheb Khaled - Why Do You Blame Me?شاب خالد - علاش تلوموني؟Aalach Tloumouni?

ًThis song was originally written and perform by Ahmad Wahby. I'm not sure about the last line

Cheb Khaled - Why Do You Blame Me? Why do you blame me? Why do you blame me? And you forced me, you forced me You forced me For her sake I could not, could not Could not transfer my first love Oh my lord

No no no

The loves did not stay
The loves did not stay
They have no secrets
Live alone young man
Live and leave them alone

Ah and they blame me
They blame me
And they blame me for her sake

Oh lord give me patience and guidance the truth
Over he who has wronged me
Oh lord

The lover is without blame
And the lover is destined to love, oh night

And that which cauterized him
And cauterized him with its fire
What cauterized him with its fire?

The doctor that is soothed by medication does not remedy

شاب خالد - علاش تلوموني؟

علاش تلوموني.... علاش تلوموني
علاش تلوموني قلبي بغاها... ايييه
و اكرهتوني... اااه و اكرهتوني... و اكرهتوني
على اجلها ما نقدرش... ما نقدرش
ما نقدرش نحوّل حبي الاول
ااااه يا ربي

لالالا....

ما بقوش الاحباب
ما بقوش الاحباب
لا سر معاهم
عيش وحدك يا شاب
عيش و خليهم

اااه و يلوموني
و يلوموني
و يلوموني على اجلها

يا ربي صبرني و قود الحق
على اللي ظلمني... ياااه يا ربي

العاشق لا يلام لا يلام
و الحب على العاشق مقدر يا ليلي

و اللي كواه
و اللي كواه بناره
اييه اللي كواه بناره

ما يجبر الطبيب لدواه يتجبر يا ليلي

Algerian Music

Algeria is a country of over 30 million people bordered by Morocco on the west and Tunisia and Libya on the east. Most Algerians speak Arabic, although about 20% of Algerians speak Berber languages such as the Kabyle. The music of Algeria is heavily influenced by the classical music of Andalusian Arabs and Jews who migrated to Algeria, as well as the French who occupied Algeria as a colonial power for about 130 years.

The most famous musical tradition to come out of Algeria is Rai. In Arabic, Rai means "opinion" or "way of seeing things," and Rai artists referred to their genre as such because it often contained the opinions of the younger generation of Algerians growing up in the malaise of the 1980s. The musicians of this movement are all known as "Cheb" (Sheb), which means a young man or kid in Arabic, similar to American rappers who call themselves "Young" like Young MC, Young Jeezy, Young Turk and the Young Dynamos. There were also some female artists in the Rai movement known as "Chebba" the female of Cheb. The lyrics of these songs typically discuss social decay as disenchantment with the political status quo in Algeria, as well as normally rebellious activities like drinking alcohol and love affairs. For this reason, Rai music was considered controversial and many Rai artists moved to France when a conservative party that came into power in the mid-90s in Algeria began to target these musicians and even had one, Cheb Hasni, assassinated. Rai became very popular in France due to the large immigrant population from Algeria, and now Rai is known around the world.

The most famous Rai musician is Cheb Khaled, dubbed the King of Rai. He was at the front of the Rai movement in Algeria during the 1980s and moved to france during the 1990s like many Rai artists. He is known for his gruff voice and passionate vocals. Another artist, Cheb Mami, has similarly moved to France and enjoyed success singing in French and Arabic. Cheb Mami is known for his very high, malleable voice. A French born Rai artists named Faudel, who is dubbed the Prince of Rai, also enjoys commercial success and is known for his good looks.

Algeria is also home to folk musician Souad Massi who has enjoyed international success similar to that of Cheb Khaled. Influenced by Rai, Fado, and American country and rock music, Souad plays guitar and writes her own lyrics. She was previously in a rock band called Akator. In 1999 she left Algeria amidst death threats similar to those faced by Rai musicians. This being said, she is quite modest in comparison to female pop stars out of Egypt and Lebanon.

There are also many Algerian hip-hop arists who, like Rai artists, tend to operate out of France. These include Intik, MBS and MIA.