Below is a list of 100+ songs and compositions that every belly dancer should know.  Dancers are encouraged to find the original versions of the pieces and to listen to them in their entirety as part of a greater composition, concert, movie, etc.

Key  
C:  Composer.  S:  Singer.

A

Aba’ad (Far away). C/S: Mohammed Abdo.
Primary maqam: rast

Far away you were, or near to what your heart desires.
Always, always you are in good hands.
I do not say except oh God!
God help all in love, oh you far away.

Far away you were, or near to what your heart desires.
I do not say except oh God!
God help all in love, oh you far away.

Far away you were, or near to what your heart desires.
Always, always you are in peace.
I do not say except God!
God help all in love, oh you far away.

I miss you, I miss you, I miss you and I ask my love about you.
Separation, separation, separation, did not change me, separation.

I hope you did not forget me, I hope.
And I hope that another love did not come along and take you.

I am waiting for your love, I am waiting, but I can not.

I miss you, I miss you, I miss you and I ask my love about you.
Separation, separation, separation, did not change me, separation.

I hope you did not forget me, and I hope that another love did not come along and take you.
I am waiting for your love.
I can, I can not.
I do not say except God!
God help all those in love.
Oh you far away.

Far away you were, or near to what your heart desires.
Always, always you are in good hands.
I do not say except oh God!
God help all in love, oh you far away.

Night, night, night, oh God, night, night, night.
Night, night, night, and this is the sweetest night, night, night.
Night, night, night, oh God, God, night.
Night, night, night, night, night, oh night.

My wish is to spend one night with you, one night, and with my life your acceptance, one night.
A hope accompanies me that I will meet you in one night and with this joy I will kick all my sorrow.
Night, night, night, night, night, oh night.

My wish is to spend one night with you, one night, and with my life your acceptance, one night.
A hope accompanies me that I will meet you in one night … Oh my Love!

He shouted at the lovers, shouted at the lovers… OH you from Kinana’s tribe.
Love in the eyelids, from Kinanah.
Bedouin, he appeared and he was beautiful.
He passed by the hearts, passed by the hearts (Broken especially when he went to break my eyelids).
Bedouin, oh, oh, oh Bedouin, the drops of the breeze wounded his cheeks, and silk touch makes his fingers bleed.
A hope accompanies me that I will meet with you in one night and with this joy I will kick all my sorrow.
I hope you did not forget me and hope that there was not another love that took you from me.
I am waiting for your love. I can, I can not.
What can I say, except God!
God help all those in love!

Ahwak (I love you). C: Mohamed Abdel Wahab. S: Abdel Halim Hafez.
Maqam: kord
Video link 1. Video link 2. Video link 3.
Section 1

I love you.
And I wish if I ever forget you,
I forget my soul with you.
And if it becomes lost, it’s OK,
If you’ve forgotten me.
So I forget you,
And I forget all you pain.
And I start longing for it again.
And I find my tears remember you.
So I return to you.

At times,
The whole world comes with you.
And its wish is your wish.
And then, maybe you will end,
Depriving my love of you.

Section 2

I love you.
And I wish if I ever forget you,
I forget my soul with you.
And if it becomes lost, it’s OK,
If you’ve forgotten me.

So I forget you,
And I forget all you pain.
And I start longing for it again.
And I find my tears remember you.
So I return to you.

At times,
The whole world comes with you.
And its wish is your wish.
And then, maybe you will end,
Depriving my love of you.

Section 3

I dream of finding you
Thinking of me, and I of you.
And my eyes meeting yours.
And the words written on your face,
While you try to hide them.

And I’d nourish you,
Wake up from my sleep to call you.
And send my soul to wake you.
So you who has stirred my soul,
Try out my fire.

I dream of finding you
Thinking of me, and I of you.
And my eyes meeting yours.
And the words written on your face,
While you try to hide them.

And I’d nourish you,
Wake up from my sleep to call you.
And send my soul to wake you.
So you who has stirred my soul,
Try out my fire.

I dream of finding you
Thinking of me, and I of you.
And my eyes meeting yours.
And the words written on your face,
While you try to hide them.

And I’d nourish you,
Wake up from my sleep to call you.
And send my soul to wake you.
So you who has stirred my soul,
Try out my fire.

I dream of finding you
Thinking of me, and I of you.
And my eyes meeting yours.
And the words written on your face,
While you try to hide them.

And I’d nourish you,
Wake up from my sleep to call you.
And send my soul to wake you.
So you who has stirred my soul,
Try out my fire.

I dream of finding you
Thinking of me, and I of you.
And my eyes meeting yours.
And the words written on your face,
While you try to hide them.

And I’d nourish you,
Wake up from my sleep to call you.
And send my soul to wake you.
So you who has stirred my soul,
Try out my fire.

I dream of finding you
Thinking of me, and I of you.
And my eyes meeting yours.
And the words written on your face,
While you try to hide them.

And I’d nourish you,

Wake up from my sleep to call you.
And send my soul to wake you.
So you who has stirred my soul,
Try out my fire.

Section 4

I dream of finding you
Thinking of me, and I of you.

I dream of finding you
Thinking of me, and I of you.

I dream of finding you
Thinking of me, and
I of you, I of you,
I of you.

And my eyes,
My eyes meeting yours.
And my eyes meeting,
Meeting yours.

And the words written on your face,
And the words written on your face,

And you, you, you try to hide them.

I dream of finding you
Thinking of me, and I of you.
And my eyes meeting yours.
And the words written on your face,
And the words written on your face,
While you, you try to hide them.

I dream of finding you
Thinking of me, and I of you.
And I of you, and I of you.
And my eyes meeting.
Meeting your wyes.
Your eyes.
And the words,
The words written on your face,
While you, you try to hide them.

Section 5

I dream of finding you
Thinking of me, and I of you.
And my eyes meeting yours.
And the words written on your face,
While you try to hide them.

And I’d nourish you,
Wake up from my sleep to call you.
And send my soul to wake you.
So you who has stirred my soul,
Try out my fire.

I dream of finding you
Thinking of me, and I of you.
And my eyes meeting yours.
And the words written on your face,
While you try to hide them.

And I’d nourish you,
Wake up from my sleep to call you.
And send my soul to wake you.
So you who has stirred my soul,
Try out my fire.

I love you.
And I wish if I ever forget you,
I forget my soul with you.
And if it becomes lost, it’s OK,
If you’ve forgotten me.

So I forget you,
And I forget all you pain.
And I start longing for it again.
And I find my tears remember you.
So I return to you.

At times,
The whole world comes with you.
And its wish is your wish.
And then, maybe you will end,
Depriving my love of you.

Akdeb Alaik (I lie to you). C: Mohamed El Mougy. S: Fadhil Shaker/Warda.
Primary maqam: hijaz

Video link 1 (Warda). Video link 2 (Warda). Video link 3 (Fadhil Shaker).
I lie to you

I lie to you , I lie to you , I lie to you
I’m lying to you if I say that I love, I’m still lying
and I’m lying to you if I say that I forgot your whisper, I’m lying to you
So I’m what? You tell me what I am
Choose a land for me and I’ll dock on it
You’re my beloved, I mean you still are my beloved
Or my beloved because you were my beloved
Say my beloved say
Oh my beloved

Do you know the most beautiful thing in my life?
What was it? Oh, my life.
The most beautiful thing that you were all my life
You promise me, & I fly before all dates
For the happiness, I celebrate the feast (day) before its time
and I find you, Oh my beloved, already there
and the love in one hand, and the world in the other
and the candles see me with you, Oh my beloved
Without restricting it, it restricts itself
There was something new inside us
Now, it’s not new anymore

Oh my beloved, right that we date and see each other and we talk
(we have) a conversation, maybe that has no meaning , not coming from the heart
But, despite this, we talk
And again we see each other and we talk, without even knowing how to cheer up
Or even how to suffer
And on the nights’cheek tears that ask what happened to us
Our candles are not candles anymore, when we come, they (candles) with their hands extinguish us
All that, and we don’t have anybody except each other
This is a heaven with hell that gathers our nights

Oh my eyes, tell my beloved
Where does our passion go? where does our heaven go?
From where would we bring again the sweet things
Even the “hi” with hands became something new for us
Except what was inside the heart before the hand
The love is innocent and we wronged it
We made its youth melt before its childhood
The love gave us a portion of two years
We drink it in a minute not in two
Even if it takes a rest like us, for two hours
We swear twice, and not an eye blink
Look in what we were, and in what we become

Choose a land for me and I’ll dock on it
You’re my beloved, I mean you still are my beloved
Or my beloved because you were my beloved
Say my beloved say
Oh my beloved

Akhasmak Ah (I will upset you). S: Nancy Ajram.
Primary maqam: kord

Video link.

Akhasmak Ah (I will upset you). S: Nancy Ajram.

I will upset you, yes, I will leave you, no
Inside my soul you remain, my darling, that I am in love with
I love you, yes, And leave you, no
Your love owned me and, oh my darling, I can’t forget you in a day
You are my darling and hope who melted me
And you definitely are creating many problems about my love
(Repeat)

If it is up to you, I flirt and I’m stubborn about your love
And soon I sympathize with you and reconcile, oh precious one,
and I ask your acceptance
(Repeat)

You are my darling and hope who melted me
(Repeat)

I will upset you, yes (yes, yes), I will leave you, no (no…)
Inside my soul you remain, my darling, that I am in love with
I love you, yes, And leave you, no
Your love owned me and, oh my darling, I can’t forget you in a day
In your love I do not have any result and my life in one night
I will not be far away
And life after you is impossible
And night by night my compassion to you increases
(Repeat)

You are my darling and hope who melted me
And you definitely are creating many problems about my love
(Repeat)

I will upset you, yes, I will leave you, no
Inside my soul you remain, my darling, that I am in love with
I love you, yes, And leave you, no
Your love owned me and, oh my darling, I can’t forget you in a day
Aah, Leave you, no (Aah, ash)
No, I will upset you, yes, no

Al Atlal (The Ruins). C: Riad El-Sombati. S: Om Kalthoum.
Primary maqam: sika
Video link 1. Video link 2. Video link 3.

My heart, don’t ask where the love has gone
It was a citadel of my imagination that has collapsed
Pour me a drink and let us drink of its ruins
And tell the story on my behalf as long as the tears flow
Tell how that love became past news
And became another story of passion
I haven’t forgotten you
And you seduced me with a sweetly-calling and tender tongue
And a hand extending towards me like a hand stretched out through the waves to a drowning person
You seduced me with the saliva (of a kiss) that a night traveler thirsts for
But where is that light in your eyes?
My darling, I visited your nest one day as a bird of desire singing my pain
You’ve become self-important, spoiled and inconstant
And you inflict harm like a powerful tyrant
And my longing for you cauterized my ribs (soul or insides)
And the waiting was like embers in my blood
Give me my freedom, release my hands
Indeed, I’ve given you yours and did not try to retain anything
Ah, your chains have bloodied my wrists
I haven’t kept then nor have they spared me
Why do I keep promises that you do not honor?
When will this captivity end, when the world is before us?
He is far away, my enchanting love
Full of pride, majesty and delicacy
Sure-footed walking like an angel with oppressive beauty and rapacious glory
Redolent of charm like the breeze of the hills
Pleasant to experience like the night’s dreams
I’ve lost forever the charm of your company that radiated brilliantly
I, wandering in love, a bewildered butterfly, approached you
And between us, desire was a messenger and drinking companion that presented the cup to us
Had love seen two as intoxicated as us?
So much hope we had built up around us
And we walked in the moonlit path, joy skipping along ahead of us
And we laughed like two children together
And we ran and raced our shadows
And we became aware after the euphoria and woke up
If only we did not awaken
Wakefulness ruined the dreams of slumber
The night came and the night became my only friend
And then the light was an omen of the sunrise and the dawn was towering over like a conflagration
And then the world was as we know it, with each lover in their own path
Oh sleepless one who slumbers and remembers the promise when you wake up
Know that if a wound begins to recover another wound crops up with the memory
So learn to forget and learn to erase it
My darling everything is fated
It is not by our hands that we make our misfortune
Perhaps one day our fates will cross when our desire to meet is strong enough
For if one friend denies the other and we meet as strangers
And if each of us follows his or her own way
Don’t say it was by our own will
But rather, the will of fate

Al Hobbi Koulloo (All the love). C: Baligh Hamdi. S: Om Kalthoum.
Primary maqam: rast

Video link.

All the love I loved was yours
All my love
And all my time I lived for you
All my time

Darling tell the world with me
And tell every heart that is ever beaten
Oh world, my love
This life is nothing but love

Water me and fill me
And water me again
Water me again with your love
From you
From the light of my time
Water me, you who since the day I met you
I felt as if I was born again

Oh Soul of my heart, life of my days
Oh soul of my heart
Oh darling angel of my dreams
Oh soul of my heart
What was I before I saw you?
What was I?
And why was I even living, my darling?
Why?
I walked the road of my life, before you, in an endless night
No heart beside me to feel me, nor any beautiful specter
And when I saw you
The first time I saw you
I found myself drawn to you with all the desire in the world
And with all the love of the world I went to you and ran to you
I called I called on the world herself

The thirsty love thirsts in my heart calling for you
I get insomnia if I’m the least bit worried about you
You’re the most beautiful of the angels (rough translation)
You are my soul and all my years and light of my life
My life, what am I to you
My love, I was born for you, solely for you
For you
And my heart lived on the touch of your affection
Solely your affection
Your affection
The days are beautiful
The dreams are beautiful
My life is beautiful
Oh so beautiful
Beautiful and fleeting
Beautiful my life
Oh the time
Oh long nights with beautiful dreams … with you
Oh the time
Oh nights that pass killing my hopes and leaving us ashes
What’s in it if you forget two in love?
In love and living

Oh darling oh aroma of desire
My destiny from my nights of desire
What is this poetry you have in your eyes that made the most beautiful words jealous
What is the scent of this perfume of your hands
From the spring in your lips
From the nights in your eyes
From the flames in your cheeks
From the tenderness in your hand
My soul got lost on this journey and I was lost with it
Protect me from the sands of time, protect me
And hide me far from the prying eyes
About the great joy
My fear is that he won’t take it nor will he leave me
My fear is that this great happiness will be taken from me

Ala Babi Waef Amarain (Two moons are standing at my door). C/S: Melhem Barakat.
Maqam: hijaz

Video link. Video Link 2.

Two moons are standing at my door.
One is in the sky and the other one is more precious than the eye understand things right away.
Two moons are standing at my door.
One is in the sky and the other one is more precious than the eye understand things right away.
At my door, at my door, two moons are standing.

Aah! Oh moon in the night, we are lovers.
Oh you come up so high, you make us stay awake all night.
Aah! Oh moon in the night, we are lovers.
Oh you come up so high, you make us stay awake all night.

And I am a star between two moons, and I am a smile between two crescents.
And I am a star between two moons, and I am a smile between two crescents.
And I am a star between two moons, and I am a smile between two crescents.

And people have one moon, but me, I have two.

Two moons are standing at my door.
One is in the sky and the other one is more precious than the eye understand things right away.
Two moons are standing at my door.
One is in the sky and the other one is more precious than the eye understand things right away.

At my door, at my door, two moons are standing.

Oh, you curer of thirsty hearts, supply the thirsty with water. Your eyes are full with love and compassion.
(Repeat)

Me and you, Oh you sparkling eyes. A soul and appealing closeness.

Oh, you curer of thirsty hearts, supply the thirsty with water. Your eyes are full with love and compassion.
Oh, you curer of thirsty hearts, supply the thirsty with water. Your eyes are full with love and compassion.

Me and you, Oh you sparkling eyes. A soul and appealing closeness.
Me and you, Oh you sparkling eyes. A soul and appealing closeness.

And people have one moon, but me, I have two.

Two moons are standing at my door.
One is in the sky and the other one is more precious than the eye understand things right away.
Two moons are standing at my door.
One is in the sky and the other one is more precious than the eye understand things right away.
At my door, at my door, two moons are standing.

Two moons are standing at my door. Ah, two moons, ah, two moons, two moons, two moons.

Two moons are standing at my door.
One is in the sky and the other one is more precious than the eye understand things right away.
Two moons are standing at my door.
One is in the sky and the other one is more precious than the eye understand things right away.
At my door, at my door, two moons are standing.

Two moons are standing at my door. Aah, two moons, aah, two moons, two moons, two moons.

Ala Baladi ll Mahboob (Take me to the country of my beloved). C: Riad El-Sombati. S: Om Kalthoum.
Maqam: bayat

Video link.

Take me to the country of my beloved
My passion has increased and the separation is burning me
Oh my beloved, my heart is with you
The whole night I am staying up with you
My eye wishes to see you
I’ll cry on your shoulder and you’ll comfort me
Oh you traveler to the river Nile
I have a friend in Egypt
And after the night goes to sleep
Take me to the country of my beloved

Ala Hasbi Widad (It all depends where my heart takes me). S: Abdel Halim Hafiz.
Mawam: bayat

Video link 1. Video link 2.

Part 1
To wherever my heart leads me.
I’m gonna give the beauty greetings.
Greetings, greetings, greetings.
To wherever my heart leads me.

I wasted my life on her.
I lived so many stories with her.
Stories, stories, stories.
To wherever my heart leads me.
To wherever my heart leads me.

To wherever my heart leads me.
I’m gonna give the beauty greetings.
Greetings, greetings, greetings.
To wherever my heart leads me.

I wasted my life on her.
I lived so many stories with her.
Stories, stories, stories.
To wherever my heart leads me.
To wherever my heart leads me.

It’s like a mystery, a mystery.
My patience ran out,
The day that love disappeared.
And may my sleepless nights, my eyes.
The nights, the nights, the nights.
Return our loved ones to us.

It’s like a mystery, a mystery.
My patience ran out,
The day that love disappeared.
And may my sleepless nights, my eyes.
The nights, the nights, the nights.
Return our loved ones to us.

It’s like a mystery, a mystery.
My patience ran out,
The day that love disappeared.
And may my sleepless nights, my eyes.
The nights, the nights, the nights.
Return our loved ones to us.

But I’m still patient for my fate.
She may return to us one day.
But I’m still patient for my fate.
She may return to us one day.

And then we’ll live again,
Beautiful days and stories.
Stories, stories, stories.
To wherever my heart leads me.
To wherever my heart leads me.

To wherever my heart leads me.
I’m gonna give the beauty greetings.
Greetings, greetings, greetings.
To wherever my heart leads me.

I wasted my life on her.
I lived so many stories with her.
Stories, stories, stories.
To wherever my heart leads me.

(Interlude)
Part 2
Wherever the wind leads me,
Wherever it leads.
Wherever it leads.
Wherever it leads.
Wherever it leads.

I’m just following it and walking.
Walking.
Walking.
Walking.
But not by my will.

Wherever the wind leads me,
Wherever it leads.
Wherever it leads.
Wherever it leads.
Wherever it leads.

I’m just following it and walking.
Walking.
Walking.
Walking.
But not by my will.

Wherever the wind leads me,
Wherever it leads.
Wherever it leads.
Wherever it leads.
Wherever it leads.

I’m just following it and walking.
Walking.
Walking.
Walking.
But not by my will.
.
I don’t know if I’m going home.
Or when this love will calm.
I don’t know if I’m going home.
Or when this love will calm.

And the world just plays with us.
Maybe it will return our beloved to us.
And the world just plays with us.
Maybe it will return our beloved to us.

And we will live again,
Beautiful days and stories.
Stories, stories, stories.
To wherever my heart leads me.
To wherever my heart leads me.

To wherever my heart leads me.
I’m gonna give the beauty greetings.
Greetings, greetings, greetings.
To wherever my heart leads me.

I wasted my life on her.
I lived so many stories with her.
Stories, stories, stories.
To wherever my heart leads me.
To wherever my heart leads me.

Part3
I won’t greet her by the book.
And I won’t sleep while defeated.
I won’t greet her by the book.
And I won’t sleep while defeated.

And I’ll tell the world, the world,
I’m returning,
I’m returning, returning to the beloved.
I won’t greet her by the book.
And I won’t sleep while defeated.
I won’t greet her by the book.
And I won’t sleep while defeated.

And I’ll tell the world, the world,
I’m returning,
I’m returning, returning to the beloved.

I won’t greet her by the book.
And I won’t sleep while defeated.
I won’t greet her by the book.
And I won’t sleep while defeated.

And I’ll tell the world, the world,
I’m returning,
I’m returning, returning to the beloved.
And we’ll sing brand new songs.
Filled with joyful stories.
And we’ll sing brand new songs.
Filled with joyful stories.

And we’ll be engulfed in our joy.
And I’ll say oh my darling. greetings.
Greetings, greetings, greetings.
To wherever my heart leads me.
To wherever my heart leads me.

To wherever my heart leads me.
I’m gonna give the beauty greetings.
Greetings, greetings, greetings.
To wherever my heart leads me.

I wasted my life on her.
I lived so many stories with her.
Stories, stories, stories.
To wherever my heart leads me.
To wherever my heart leads me.

Ala Rimsh Ayounha (At/by her eyelashes). C: Ahmed Hassan.
Mawam: nahawand

In her eyelashes I discovered love
My senses flew away and my heart was in love
In her eyelashes I discovered love
My senses flew away and my heart was in love
I used to be a doctor of love
and sell medicine to lovers
I used to be a doctor of love
and sell medicine to lovers
But one look from her and I’ve fallen myself
But one look from her and I’ve fallen myself
oh, oh, oh my father, oh, oh, oh my father
Her laughter is like the color of the night
Flower fills her lips to look like the moon
Her smile is like the color of the night
Flower fills her lips to look like the moon
Her laughter fills the ears, her smile is my fate
The apple of her cheek is like thirst on a rainy day
I longed to go to her
but someone else came before and took her hand
I longed to go to her
but someone else came before and took her hand
He was her darling, then he left her a year ago
But today…(he has returned, taking my hopes away)
Ala Nar (I’m on fire).
Maqam: bayat

May God bless you, I miss you, your absence was hard for me
Forgive me if I told you that I lived like in fire
while you are away … I am still alone
counting minutes day and night

My heart is dying while you are away,
I miss you, your perfume, and your clothes
on fire, my lover
I am even jealous of your shadow

Enlighten my way, make me feel warm, heal my injured heart
Make me feel at ease and forget the pain
While you are not here, there are no colors, the sunrise seems to me a sunset

Alem El Elbi el Shouk. S: George Wasouf. C: Salah Sharnoubi.
Maqam: hijaz

Video link

Teach my heart passion, passion and teach my eyes to stay up
My heart lifted me up high and I will meet you at the moon
And I soar in the wind because my heart is the wind
Because you are the cure for my soul and you, you are the sight to my eyes

Your love in me is a teacher, and your love teaches me,
oh you, the one who’s awakened my longing, ohh you, my teacher
The quantity of the world and more than you can imagine,
I loved you, and your love in me cannot be shaken

Ali Gara (What happened to me – or about the past). C: Hilmi Bakr. S: Oulaya al Tunisia.
Maqam: nahawand
Video link.

About what happened from your letters.. about what happened
When you come I will tell you what happened
About what happened.. about what happened
When you come I will tell you about what happened
And I’ll wipe my tears in your napkin to what happened
When you come and I will tell you about what happened
When you come, oooh to what happened
And I’ll wipe my tears in your napkin to what happened
About what happened.. about what happened oooh
Strangers, we are strangers
The memories years ago when we, we were the years oooh man
Strangers oooh we are strangers
Memories from years ago, years ago, the beauty of the wound from the years oooh man
Nobody told any news that will make us happy
Nor did anyone bring a word from you that can calm me
Nobody said any news that can make us happy
Nor did they bring a word from you to calm me
But when you come I will tell you about what happened
And wipe my tears in your napkin to what happened
When you come, oooh to what happened
And I’ll wipe my tears in your napkin to what happened
To what happened … to what happened oooh

Amar 14 (Full moon, beautiful woman). C: Mohamed Abdel Wahab.
Maqam: hijaz

Video link.
Aghadan Alkak (Will I see you tomorrow?). C: Mohamed Abdul Wahab. S: Om Khalthoum.
Maqam: ajam

Video link.

Am I going to meet you tomorrow?
How terrified my heart is from my tomorrow
What a longing and burning from the waiting on our date
Oh how much am I afraid of that tomorrow of mine,
and how much am I wishing for it to get closer
I wished to get closer and closer from it
but now I’m afraid of it; why am I afraid of it?
And the happiness shined on me when he agreed
This way I can withhold my life with all it is happiness and suffering
Pure soul and a heart that melted when it was touched by my love
Am I going to meet you tomorrow?

O you are my love longing and craziness paradise
O you are my soul’s destination start and sorrow
Is your light going to rise on the night of my eyes tomorrow?
Ah from the happiness of my dreams and from the fear of my thoughts
How many times am I calling for you in my longing melody and in my prayers?
Oh my wish how hard I suffered from waiting on that wish
If it was not for you I would not have felt what came and what left
I live for tomorrow that came with the dreams of us meeting
So come or don’t come or do what u wishes with my heart
Am I going to meet you tomorrow?

This life is a book, you are its thoughts
This life is nights, you are its lifetime
This life is eyes, you are its vision
This life is heaven, you are its moon

So be merciful with the heart that is getting closer to you
Because tomorrow you will have it in your hands
And tomorrow the paradise will be all shadows and rivers
And tomorrow we will forget
So we would never regret for the past that we past
And tomorrow we will be happy
So we would never know a place for an unknown
For tomorrow we will only live for our happy present
May be the unknown is good but the present is even better
Am I going to meet you tomorrow?

Ana Albi lik Mayal (To you my heart leans). S: Faiza Ahmed.
Maqam: rast

Video link.

My heart is fond of you (literally, my heart is inclined towards you)
And there is no one but you on my mind
You and only you are my beloved
No matter what the jealous people say
And I love you as much as my eyes
Even a little more than them
Ask them to swear to it
They’ll tell you right away

And you are the delight of the world
And you are the joy of delight
And joy is you
Its sweetness and its smile

You filled my world with affection, love and tenderness
It made me love the world

Throughout my days and nights

Ana Fi Intizarak (I’m waiting for you). C: Zakria Ahmad. S: Om Kalthoum.
Maqam: hijaz

Video link 1. Video link 2.

I’m waiting for you
I kept my fire inside my ribs
And I put my hand on my cheek and counted
By seconds your absence, and you never came.

I wish…
I wish I never fell in love.
I want to know if you are…
angry, or if somebody else occupies your heart
From my hopelessness you make me say
The absence will continue forever.
And I ask myself, “What did I gain…
From my mistake, only that you are my problem.

I wish…
I wish I never fell in love.
I anguish on the hot part of the fire.
My brain is unable to concentrate.
With each breath, I count your steps.
With each little letter I count your conversations with me.
I am in this mood morning and night.
And they saw me and they said I have become insane.

I wish…
I wish I never fell in love.
You promised me by years and days
And you came to me with excuses and garbage words
Those words!
You come and shake my hand and leave quickly
Or, delay and just say, “I forgot.”

I wish…
I wish I never fell in love.
I’m waiting for you.
I kept my fire inside my ribs.
And I put my hand on my cheek
And counted by seconds your absence and you never came.

I wish…
I wish I never fell in love.
I need to know if you are upset
Or if somebody else occupies your heart
From my hopelessness, you make me say.
The absence will continue forever
And I ask myself what did I gain
From my mistake. Only you are my problem

I wish…
I wish I never fell in love.
I anguish on the hot part of the fire.
My brain is absent from concentration
With each breath I count your steps
With each little letter I count your conversations with me
I am in this mood morning and night.
And they saw me and they said I have become insane.

I wish…
I wish I never fell in love.
You promised me by years and days
And you come to me with excuses
and garbage words
Those words!!
You come and shake my hand and leave quickly
Or you don’t come and just say “I forgot.”

Ana Kol Maoul El Toba (Never again). C: Baligh Hamdi. S: Abdel Halim Hafez.
Maqam: hijaz

Video link.

Part 1
Never again.
Never again.

Never again will I love you again.
Just meet me once again.
And it will be the last time.
And then afterwards never again.

Never again will you upset me,
And I’ll run back to make up.
How many times did you leave me,
And separation became my friend.

If your soul comes to me in my sleep,
Just to wake me.
I’ll still make up with you once more.
But after that, never again.

Never again.
Never again.

Never again will I love you again.
Just meet me once again.
And it will be the last time.
And then afterwards never again.

Part 2

Never again will I believe
Your words.
No matter how much you ask,
I won’t even believe your greetings.

But you must promise me,
Never cry while in front of me.
Or I’ll defeat my soul and say just this once.
But after that, never again.

Never again.
Never again.

Never again will I love you again.
Just meet me once again.
And it will be the last time.
And then afterwards never again.
Part 3 (Repeat)

Part 4

Oh from my burning heart.
Oh from the tears in my eyes.
Whenever I try to forget you,
I miss your fire and get awakened.

I go and ask about you,
Before you come to me.
I laugh sometimes, and weep sometimes.
And afterwards, never again.

Never again.
Never again.

Never again will I love you again.
Just meet me once again.
And it will be the last time.
And then afterwards never again.

Never again!

Ana Ma Fiye (I can’t). S: Najwa Karam.
Maqam: bayat

Video link 1. Video link 2.

I can’t
I can’t love you more than my eyes
If I loved you more than them
You may neglect them and me
Go easy on my heart ,bit by bit
I can’t

Tell your crazy
If they go away and leave me
My eyes can’t handle their absence
The tears of my eyes is so precious
If i loved you more than them
You may neglect them and me
Go easy on my eyes ,bit by bit
I can’t

I’d sing you a longing song
I’ll light up the candle of my heart
I swear of your life i’ll carry you in my eyes
But don’t you ever be greedy to me
If i loved you more than them
You may neglect them and me
Go easy on my eyes ,bit by bit
I can’t

Andah Alek (I call you). C: Mohamed Abdel Wahab. S: Warda.
Maqam: kord

Video link.

I call you, with love, come to me… I long for you.
My years will become sweeter.
I care about you… more than my being.
The two of us are living our love, in the sweetest years.
They see us everywhere.
They meet us, we the two lovers.
If they see me, one day, alone… they will say we have quarreled.
How can we quarrel, my love?
Alright, if I quarrel with you…to whom shall I talk?

It seems that if we go around
The world will come back.
Live!… We see and hope!
We will not encounter a love like ours,
A love that has enlightened our nights.
It seems that you and I are in another world,
a world full of candles and songs.
Your time is my time… the day that you called me my lover came to you.
It seems to me that if there was a separation
that they talk about that is something we have never encountered nor felt.
My live, Oh! My love…
The most beautiful times, happiness, pleasure and security is found with you.
Sun and warmth…A moon and compassion from which love springs every time.
We are both living the best years of our love.
They see us everywhere.
They meet us, we the two lovers.
If they see me, one day, alone… they will say we have quarreled.
How can we quarrel, my love?
Alright, if I quarrel with you.. to whom shall I talk?

Oh! Goodness, how time has smiled on me
and in happiness I have found the place
that I wished for in the love that I loved.
Sing!… Love has congratulated me!
I wish I could say, Oh! Time, bring back again those years,
Because of my happiness with you, my love.
I want to love you again… and again.
We are both living the best years of our love.
Oh! My heart… all the happiness of life lies today in our hands.
Oh! My eyes, my heart, the excess of love is worried… the excess of love of you.
Oh! My night! After days of happiness my singing of you has become more beautiful.
Oh! My love… All lovers that follow have seen the sweetness of our love.
Oh! My life… my life… Time began when my love for you overcame me.
The best days have now come.
This day that I encountered your love.
and if people criticize me, I will always stay with you.
Who could possess my soul after feeling your love.
You who has overcome my whole being.
You are my dearest… you who consumes my consciousness.
I want you… I want you… I will forget the world and remember only you.
We are both living the best years of our love.
They see us everywhere.
They meet us, we the two lovers.
If they see me, one day, alone… they will say we have quarreled.
How can we quarrel, my love?
Alright, if I quarrel with you…to whom shall I talk?

Ansak (Forget you). S: Om Khalthoum.
Maqam: rast

Video link.
Asal Al Habayb. S: Saber Ribea. (Ezz Ihabayeb)
Maqam: kord

Video link.
Aziza. C: Mohamed Abdel Wahab.
Maqam: nahawand

Video link.

Ayel Mani Ayel. C: Fathi Al Jarrah. S: Shadi Jamil.
Maqam: nahawand

Video link .

B

Baeid Annak (Far from you). S: Oum Khalthoum.
Maqam: bayat

Video link.

I’ve forgotten sleep and its dreams
I’ve forgotten its nights and its days
Far from you my life is torture
Don’t go far from me
I have nothing but teardrops
With my I live far from you
Desire conquered me
And the sleepless nights melted me
And no matter how much the desire keeps me up
And no matter how much the separation confuses me
No fire of love will change me
Nor will the days make me far…
From you

No sleep nor tears in my eyes
The separation is over for me
I’ve forgetten sleep and its dreams
I’ve forgetten its nights and its days
That which is between desire and desperation
That which is between fear and its illusions
I worry for you and I’m afraid you’ll forget me
And the desire for you will forever wake me
Desire conquered me
And the sleepless nights melted me
And no matter how much the desire keeps me up
And no matter how much the separation confuses me
No fire of love will change me
Nor will the days make me far…
From you

Remember me in a beautiful moment
We lived in it for love
May that song remind you of me
The day we heard it together
Take my years
Take all of them
Except for the seconds in which I see you
Desire, ah desire and its agents
Oh how I hide it… oh how I say itI worry for you and I’m afraid you’ll forget me
And the desire for you will forever wake me
Desire conquered me
And the sleepless nights melted me
And no matter how much the desire keeps me up
And no matter how much the separation confuses me
No fire of love will change me
Nor will the days make me far…
From you

I was longing for you
When there was only two steps between us
Look how it is now
Where am I my darling and where are you
What to do?
Don’t tell me what to do
You are hope
Why do you deprive me of it
My eyes were making me jealous of my love
And now they cry for you because of my defeat
When are you oh light of my eye?
Oh soul of my heart, where are you?

Bahlam Bik (Dream of you). S: Abdel Halim Hafiz.
Maqam: hijaz

Video link.

I Dream of you, I dream of you
And with my longing I await you
And if you check up on me
It would be enough for me
I lived happy nights dreaming of you
I dream of you
I dream of you, my darling

You filled my days with joy
I dream of you, know since when
Since the first moment I knew I loved you
I’ve been dreaming of you, I love you
And you are my first and last love
And you are my life and my smile

I dream of a paradise that my imagination couldn’t hold before I love you
I’m dreaming of you and it’s as if you’re right beside me all these nights
I keep on loving you and talking to you, my sweetheart
I call you by the most beautiful name my sweetheart

As long as my life lasts my darling
I’ll wait for you forever my darling
Night and day I will say oh my darling
Nobody’s told you about this longing I feel for you
Some day that longing will reach you and you can experience its nights

Batwanees Beek (I feel safe with you –or you’re always with me). C: Salah el Sharnobi. S: Warda.
Maqam: nahawand

Video link.

I cherish your company when you are with me
I cherish your company
and I find my world when you are close to me
When you get close I cherish your company
When you are far I feel your presence
And your image is with me
And the thought of your voice comforts me
And your love protects me from far away
And love is calling you from deep inside me
And me, and me, and me, and me, and me, and me
Me, me, me, me, me, me
I cherish your company when you are with me
Hours pass after our rendezvous
And my soul is thirsty claiming your presence
I miss your eyes so much
And though the world seems empty
Even though the crowds are coming and going
I am dreaming of you
I am always calling for you
And I tell myself either you come to me or I’ll come to you
Without any rendezvous
Oh! If I could in an instant
Find you next to me, you the apple of my eye
And we are holding hands

Be Oulu Sabri Tayeb (They say patience is good). S: George Wasouf.
Maqam: kord

Video link.

They say that patience is a virtue
But enough of my life passing me by
While I stand in one place
And the days that have passed
Are not coming back again tomorrow

And for the ones I have given my time
They forgot all about me in moments
And the ones I have sacrificed for
Did not sacrifice for me
I haven’t found anyone kind
A wound that hasn’t healed

And here I am patiently awaiting the days
Because every wound will eventually heal
I did what was required of me
And what I was capable of doing
And I put up with things that were impossible
For the average person to put up with

And for the ones I have given my time
They forgot all about me in moments
And the ones I have sacrificed for
Did not sacrifice for me
I haven’t found anyone kind
A wound that hasn’t healed

I don’t know why the world is so hard on me
I’s always against and not for me
I patiently waited for her many times And saw in her things that the eye did not see
I don’t know if she is at fault
Or if the fault is people and circumstances

And for the ones I have given my time
They forgot all about me in moments
And the ones I have sacrificed for
Did not sacrifice for me
I haven’t found anyone kind
A wound that hasn’t healed

Bent El Balad (Daughter of the country). c: Mohamed Abdel Wahab.
Maqam: bayat

Video link.
Beta Tibni ala Kilma. S: George Wasouf.
Maqam: bayat

Video link.
Bint Al Shalabia (The pretty girl). S: Ilham Al Madfai / Fairuz.
Maqam: Nahawand

Video link.

The Shalabi girl [The pretty girl],
She has almond [honey-colored] eyes
I love you from the bottom of my heart
Oh, sweetheart, you are everything to me [literally: you are my eyes].

Under the arches
My love is waiting
Breaking my thoughts [breaking my concentration], Oh loved one.
It wasn’t easy for me to let you down, my love

You appear in the distance and my heart is wounded
And I reminisce about days past

Under the pomegranate tree
My love speaks to me
Sing songs to me, oh my eye
And my love flirts with me
Sing songs to me, oh my eye
And my love flirts with me

Bint Al Sultan (Daughter of the sultan). S: Ahmed Adaweya.
Maqam: kord

Video link.

Oh daughter of the Sultan,
Have mercy on the poor guy
The water is between your hands
And Adaweya is thirsty

On Abbas bridge
You are walking
And people are looking at your sweetness
Like fruits and pineapple

Give me water more and more
Your water is so sweet like sugar

Good bye, oh Beautiful, good bye
You land is so far away
I’m willing to walk to you if you wish
To Heliopolis

Give me water more and more
Your water is so sweet like sugar

Oh daughter of the great parents
Who looks so beautiful
Your words are like fruit
And you words are like fruit
And your words are like vitamins
Oh daughter of the great parents
Who looks so beautiful
Your words are like fruit
And your words are like vitamins

Give me water more and more
Your water is so sweet like sugar

Yours Adaweya
I love the city Alexandria
And I’m from Cairo
And all the Arabian countries

And oh, you people from Suez and Port Said
And oh, you people from Port Said and also Esmalia
And oh, you people from Tanta and also Mansour
I like eastern Egypt and southern Egypt too
And oh, you people from the east and the south
I like the people from Tanta and also those of the Said
Oh, you people from Tanta and also those of the Said

Give me water more and more
Your water is so sweet like sugar

Binti Baida (Fair skinned girl).
Maqam: sikah
Betloomooni Leh (How can you blame me?). S: Abdel Halim Hafez.
Maqam: kord

Video link.

Abdul Halim Hafez, a famous Egyptian singer, dedicated this song to his mystery lover with whom he was deeply in love but never named.  The song (title translated as “don’t blame me”) describes his deep love for her and asks that no one blame him for how crazy in love he is with her.  You would understand why he loves her if you could see the magic and beauty in her eyes.

How can you blame me? How can you blame me?
If you saw her eyes and how beautiful they are,
You would say my captivation and my restlessness,
Are not too much for her. How can you blame me?

I am the captive of my beloved, oh my weak heart.
I am trapped within the aroma of her soft hair.
Which brushes against her cheeks, and then flows in the wind.
And everyone blames me and what can I do, oh my heart?
They want to deprive me of her, but why oh my heart?

From the day her love touched my heart,
She opened the gates of passion to overcome me.
And she is my darling, and she is my fate.
And she is the light for my eyes and my heart.
And she is my youth, and she is my friend.
And she is my family and everything that I love.
And everyone blames me and what can I do, oh my heart?
They want to deprive me of her, but why oh my heart?

C-D

Chahreyn Ou Chouayya. C: Moustafa Damarani & Mohamed Sultan. S: Fayza Ahmad.
Maqam: kord

Hold me on your chest.. and take me away from the people
See the flirting and love.. and the pleasure and emotions
I swear my darling we can get drunk without the glass
Hold me on your chest.. I am cold, warm me
And you, kill me or revive me as you will
Without all the people.. that’s how I like it, my dear
Hold me on your chest.. hold me, weaken my patience
Hold me on your chest.. and place your hand in my hair
So that I may breathe your breath.. and burn it in my chest
Every ounce in my body, you own it my darling

Daret el Ayam. C: Mohamed Abdel Wahab. S: Om Kalthoum.
Maqam: sika

Video Link 1.   Video Link 2.

 

Days are passing
Days are turning
Days are passing
Days are turning

But that argument we had seems distant
as soon as I saw him/her I forgot about the argument
I forgot that I had lain awake at night

I forgave him/her for the heart suffering and confusion
but I didn’t know how to talk to him/her

Days are passing
Days are turning
Days are passing
Days are turning

I can’t be away from my lover
I can’t be away from my lover
Who is there for me…
Who is there for me except my lover?

Dhomni ala Sadra (Hold me on your chest). S: Kazem Saher.
Maqam: bayat

Video link 1. Video link 2.

Hold me on your chest
And take me away from the people
See the flirting and love
And the pleasure and emotions
I swear my darling
We can get drunk without the glass

Hold me on your chest
I am cold, warm me
And you. . .
Kill me or revive me as you will
Without all the people
That’s how I like it, my dear

Hold me on your chest
Hold me, weaken my patience

Hold me on your chest
And place your hand in my hair
So that I may breathe your breath
And burn it in my chest
Every ounce in my body
You own it my darling

E

El Hilwah. S: Abdel Halim Hafez.
Maqam: kord

Video link.

The beauty, the beauty, with her black eyelashes
She is a beauty
She obsesses me
She calls me
She rejects me

So that anxiety overwhelms me
And it would be killing my lust for life
Were it not for her sweet laughter containing such promises
Beauty lies in your eyes, my sweetheart

And their image brings me long dreams
In the shade of your eyes and lips do I find happiness
In your love I sing and dance in celebration
Both my youth and my soul have been found with yours
Dreaming at the door
You are the life of my soul

But anxiety overwhelms me
And it would be killing my lust for life
Were it not for her sweet laughter containing such promises
Beauty lies in your eyes my sweetheart

My darling, I still remember each day, each hour
Each minute of the occasion
When we met for the first time
The first word I said to you
The first time I called you darling and meant it
These, too, do I recall
I felt love in your eyes and recognized from whence it came
How it warms the heart

But anxiety overwhelms me
And it would be killing my lust for life
Were it not for her sweet laughter containing such promises
Beauty lies in your eyes my sweetheart

El Samer. C: Hamouda Ali.
Maqam: Bayat
Elf Leyla we Layla (1001 nights). C: Baligh Hamdi. S: Om Kalthoum.
Maqam: nahawand

Video link 1. Video link 2.

My love, my love, my love,
The night and its sky, its stars and its moon,
Its moon and its awakening
And you and me, my own love, my own soul,
My love, my love, my love,
The night and its sky, its stars and its moon,
Its moon and its awakening
And you and me, my own love, my own soul,
All of us, all of us are in love all together,
And passion, ahhh from the passion, ahhh from the passion,
Ahhh from the passion, the passion is awakened,
Giving us a drink of happiness, and saying cheers,
And passion, ahhh from the passion, ahhh from the passion,
Ahhh from the passion, the passion is awakened,
Giving us a drink of happiness, and saying cheers,
My love,
Let’s live in the eyes of the night, let’s live in the eyes of the night,
And we tell the sun, come come,
Sun come, after a year, not before a year
Come, come, sun come, after a year, not before a year,
This is a beautiful night of love,
Worth thousand nights and a night,
Thousand nights and a night,
Thousand nights and night, worth all life,
What is life but a night, like this night,
Like this night, night, like this night.
How, how, how
I describe to you my love how before I loved you,
How was my love
How, how, how
I describe to you my love how before I loved you,
How was my love
How, how, how
I describe to you my love how before I loved you,
How was my love
How, how, how
I describe to you my love how before I loved you,
How was my love
I didn’t remember yesterday,
Didn’t have tomorrow to wait for,
And not even I lived my day, my love
How, how, how
I describe to you my love how before I loved you,
How was my love
How, how, how
I describe to you my love how before I loved you,
How was my love
I didn’t remember yesterday,
Didn’t have tomorrow to wait for,
And not even I lived my day, my love
You took me with love in a blink of the eye,
You showed me how sweet days are,
How sweet days are, how sweet days are,
You took me with love in a blink of the eye,
You showed me how sweet days are,
How sweet days are, how sweet days are,
The night before that it was strange, strange,
How I found peace in it,
And life that was a desert , a desert,
Became now a garden,
My love, let’s live in the eyes of the night,
Let;s live in the eyes of the night,
And we tell the sun, come, come, sun come,
After a year, not before a year
Come, come, sun come,
After a year, not before a year,
This is a beautiful night of love,
Worth thousand nights and a night,
Thousand nights and a night,
Thousand nights and night,
Worth all life, what is life but a night,
Like this night, like this night, night, like this night.

VERSION 2
My sweetheart, my sweetheart, my sweetheart
The night and its sky, its stars, its moon, moon
And keeping awake all night
You and me my sweetheart, my life
My sweetheart, my sweetheart, my sweetheart
The night and its sky, its stars, its moon, moon
And keeping awake all night
You and me my sweetheart, my life
All of us together are the same in love
And love, aah from the love, aah from love,
Aah from love, aah from love
The love is awake all night long giving us a drink of happiness
And telling us in good happiness
And the love, love, Oh from love,
Oh from love, Oh from love
The love is awake all night long
Giving us a drink of happiness and
Telling us in good happiness
My sweetheart
Let us live in the eyes of the night,
Let us live in the eyes of the night
And will tell the sun light come on over,
Come on over after one year, not before
In a night of love as sweet as one thousand and one night,
One thousand and one night, one thousand and one night,
One thousand and one night, one thousand and one night,
One thousand and one night
They say life, what is inside life,
But a night like tonight, like tonight, tonight, tonight
How, how, how I can describe to you my sweetheart,
How before I loved you, you were
How, how, how I can describe to you my sweetheart,
How before I loved you, you were
How, how, how I can describe to you my sweetheart,
How before I loved you, you were
How, how, how I can describe to you my sweetheart, how before I
loved you, you were
How, how, how I can describe to you my sweetheart,
How before I loved you, you were
How, how, how I can describe to you my sweetheart,
How before I loved you, you were
Yesterday I did not remember
And I did not have to tomorrow to wait for
And no one is living my day
Oh my sweetheart
Yesterday I did not remember
And I did not have to tomorrow to wait for
And no one is living my day
Oh my sweetheart
How, how, how I can describe to you my sweetheart,
How before I loved you, you were
How, how, how I can describe to you my sweetheart,
How before I loved you, you were
Yesterday I did not remember
And I did not have to tomorrow to wait for
And no one is living my day
Oh my sweetheart
Yesterday I did not remember
And I did not have to tomorrow to wait for
And no one is living my day
Oh my sweetheart
You took me in love in a blink of an eye
And you showed me where the sweetest days are,
The sweetest days were, the sweetest days were
You took me in love in a blink of an eye
And you showed me where the sweetest days are,
The sweetest days were, the sweetest days were
And the life that was desert, desert, it became a garden
And the life that was desert, desert, it became a garden
My sweetheart let us live in the eyes of the night,
Let us live in the eyes of the night
And tell the sun come over,
Come after one year, not before,
Come over, come over, come over, come over,
After one year, not before one year
In a sweet night of love, in one thousand and one nights,
One thousand and one nights, one thousand and one nights,
In one thousand and one nights, one thousand and one nights,
One thousand and one nights
They say it is the life
What is life, but a night like tonight, like tonight,
Tonight, like tonight

En Rah Minnak Ya Ein (Even if you are away from my eye). C: Mohamed Abdel Wahab. S: Abdel Halim Hafez, Shadia
Maqam: nahawand

Video link 1. Video link 2.

If he is away from my eyes
Where does he go from my heart
The heart loves only once
It doesn’t love twice

The love in our hearts
How the people think about it
It’s occupying us
But we repented and tried to forget it
And we swore on it
And however we get far from it
Its forgetfulness is harder

And why should my eyes fear!
Where does he go from my heart
The heart loves only once
It doesn’t love twice

I swear for all suffering
With him, without dating
I will make him taste long lonely nights
So he will not go away
And I will cool my fire by his fire
And I will finish my revenge on him

Do not care, my eyes
Where does he go from my heart
The heart loves only once
It doesn’t love twice

Don’t be cruel to me
Don’t forget what happened
The nights are still coming
Even more than what we had
Oh from his confusion and pain
His eagerness will go day and night

Let him go, my eyes
Where does he go from my heart
The heart loves only once
It doesn’t love twice

Elli Amallak Eh Albi (Tell me what did my heart ever do to you?). C: Mohammed Abdel Wahab.
Maqam: sika

Video link.

Tell what did my heart ever do to you?
My heart that you have forgotten
While you are valuable to my heart
Eye to eye
And you don’t even know how I feel

Oh both of them*
They took nights from me**
Where was this all along, tell me?
Why did I have anything to do with you?

Tell what did my heart ever do to you?
Tell me, who do I bring to read and hear my words
And who do I bring for you
To tell you about the fire of my longing and passion

Oh both of them, by God’s name
They took nights from me
Where was this all along, tell me?
Why did I have anything to do with you?

I have words for you
That are more beautiful
Than the most beautiful novel
About the most beautiful love
When your heart was with me

Oh both of them, by God’s name
They took nights from me
Where was this all along, tell me?
Why did I have anything to do with you?

Tell what did my heart ever do to you?

*”Both of them” refers to his/her lover’s eyes.
**”Took nights from me” means spent many nights thinking of his/her lover.

Enaya Betidhak W Albi  Biyibki
Maqam:

singer / composer:  Farid al Atrash
Farid Al Atrash, one of the great singers and composers was of Syrian nationality; he lived in Egypt with his family and sister, Asmahan.  Asmahan was a famous singer and actress in her own right, and she died in a car crash in 1944 at the age of 26.  After her death, Farid wrote and dedicated this song to her.  The title translates “my eyes are smiling (at my memories of you) but my heart is crying (at the loss of you)”.  The song was well known as the people, having known both Farid and Asmahan as celebrities, felt connected to the situation and shared in Farid’s sorrow.  (Just a note, it is worth researching Asmahan’s life; the circumstances of her death gave rise to suspicion and conspiracy theories related happenings in her short, but dynamic, life.)

Ensa Gharamak. C: George Meradoecian. S: Shadi Jamil.
Maqam: hijaz
Enta Omri (You are my life). C: Mohamed Abdel Wahab. S: Om Kalthoum.
Maqam: kord

Video link.

Your eyes returned me to the days that had gone by
They taught me to regret the past and its wounds
That which I experienced before my eyes saw you
What is the wasted life to me?

You are my life whose morning began with your light
How much of my life before you has passed and gone by
My darling, how much of my life has gone
My heart never experienced one bit of joy before you
And had never tasted in this world anything but the flavor of injury
I’ve now just begun to love my life
I’ve now begun to fear for the passing of my lifetime
Every joy that I longed for before you was fantasy
My heart and mind meet find it in the light of your eyes
Oh life of my heart, oh you who is more precious than my life
Why didn’t I meet your love, my darling, sooner?

The sweet nights and the desire and the love
For so long my heart carried them for you
Taste love with me
Taste love with love
From the feeling of my heart whose desire extended to your feeling
Give me your eyes they reflect my eyes in their world
Give me your hands their touch calms my hands
Oh my darling come on forget about that which has passed us

Oh you who is more precious than my days
Oh you who is sweeter than my dreams
Take me to your longing take me
Pull me away from the universe
Far, far away you and I
From the love that awakens our days
From the desire than sleeps our nights
I’ve reconciled time my days with you
I’ve reconciled time with you
I forgot my pains with you
And I forgot with you my woes

Your eyes called me to the days that have passed
They taught me to regret the past and its wounds
That which I experienced before my eyes saw you
What is the wasted life to me?

Eshta Ya Amar (Cream de la creme! Oh, moon!) C: Monir el Wisimi.
Maqam: nahawand

F-G

Fakkarouni (They reminded me). C: Mohamed Abdel Wahab. S: Om Kalthoum.
Maqam: rast

Video link 1. Video link 2.

They told me again about you… they reminded me
They awoke the fire of love in my heart and in my eyes

The past returned to me with its sweetness, its richness, it’s sweetness, its torture, its offense

And I remembered I was so happy with you
And I also remembered, my soul, why we are far from each other

After I believed that I could forget… after my heart could forget you and grieve
So much as a whisper and they changed me… why were they reminding me?

After I was returned to your farness was forced upon me
After I forgot the hope and wishes, and desires
Two words came… and my patience left me

They awoke in my eye nostalgia for your smile
They awoke my ears wanting to heart you say just one word

And my heart began melting me… melting me with its sighs
And the night began… began lasting longer than its hours

And I stay awake listening to the pulse of my heart calling me
My soul is in you no matter what happens… my soul is in you
What does the world equal when you are not with me…
It remains the world only with you

That which passed with you, my soul, I return to
And that which I lived with you I am reliving

They told me again about you
After all my depravation from you

They injured the injury that was close to remaining a memory
They kept me awake living for tomorrow… I live for tomorrow and the day after
I live for tomorrow and the day after
Oh my life I am confused, on fire and jealous
And my desire for you… I run flee from my self torment, my soul relaxes in your hands
And the animosity, and you and the nights of history of every country… countries that don’t matter to your heart
And that which is inside the heart was in his heart
We went and changed… except for him

It is the same love and more
It is the same love and more
It is the same love and more

Oh my darling
Oh my darling
My life is impossible far from you
Oh my darling
Life is only a few days

Why have we lost our years to abandonment and animosity
While we are able to create a beautiful world

Why, why, why
Why have we lost our years to abandonment and animosity
While we are able to create a beautiful world

With the loving and the heart
Our live is renewed with affection and love replaces our sighs
And that which is coming we will live more sweetly than that which passed

The moon will be brighter from our joy
And the stars will be more visible and beautiful to us
And trees will be greener before the spring

And that which passed we will forget, and we will forget all of the bad
Let’s make up time with days of travel
The life without our meeting is no life
And we will not live, my soul, twice

How do they remind me, You’re he who I forgot
Why are you closer to me?
Oh my bliss… even when you are far from me or with me
The days end
And we finish are days… and your love is forever
Forever, forever, it has no end, it has no end
Your love has no end, it has no end

Fatet Ganbena (She passed by us). C: Mohamed Abdul Wahab. S: Abdel Halim Hafez.
Maqam: ajam

Video link.

She passed by us.
She passed by us.
He and I.
He and I.

And she smiled at us.
Smiled at us.
He and I.
He and I.

She passed by us.
She passed by us.
He and I.
He and I.

And she smiled at us.
Smiled at us.
He and I.
He and I.

I responded, I also responded.
And kept responding
Until she passed.

And I forgot my soul,
And awoke.
It seemed like she took,
The sun and left.

I responded, I also responded.
And kept responding
Until she passed.

And I started to think,
But before I could begin,
I went and asked my soul,
And was lost in my question.

Why am I thinking so?
And why do I bother my soul?
Why am I thinking so?
And why do I bother my soul?

How can I know that she,
Means me,
Not him. Not him.

And how can I know
That this smile
Isn’t meant for him
For him.

And why me?
Why me?
Why? Why?
Not him?

Another time, again by chance.
He and I were on our path.

We heard a beautiful footstep,
Beautiful, beautiful.
Coming closer and closer,
Faster and faster.

I turned around to find her.
I turned around to find her.
I turned around to find her.
Something unbelievable.
Her, her.

And I began to hear within my heart
A verse of love, a verse of love.
A verse of love new to me,
New to me.

I heard a few words from her.
But she didn’t utter a single word.
I heard a few words from her.
But she didn’t utter a single word.

But I felt it, I felt it.
And it was the first time to feel.
And it was my first time to live and feel.

And I found my self growing weak.
Weak from the body language,
The body language that makes no sound.

But I felt it, I felt it.
And it was the first time to feel.
And it was my first time to live and feel.

She smiled again, the same smile
And then she left.
Like when the world passes by
And leaves within a second.

I looked at my friend standing next to me
But his mind was elsewhere.
Wanting to say the words
Said in my heart.

I wanted to ask him
Did he also feel it?
And did he began thinking.
Did he also feel it?
And did he began thinking.
Him too.

And I again began to say.
And I again began to say.

Why am I thinking so?
And why do I bother my soul?
Why am I thinking so?
And why do I bother my soul?

How can I know that she,
Means me,
Not him.
Not him.

And how can I know
That this smile
Isn’t meant for him
For him.

And why me?
Why me?
Why? Why?
Not him?

\
I went home and didn’t know what.
Didn’t know what was wrong with me.
What had happened to me?
What had happened to me?

So joyful I wanted to laugh.
So worried I wanted to cry.
So joyful I wanted to laugh.

So joyful I wanted to laugh.
So worried I wanted to cry.
I neither reached my tears,
I neither reached my tears,
Nor did I have anyone to tell.

I fell in love with her! Yes, I loved her!
I can’t forget her smile.

I loved her, I loved her.
Yes, I, I, I loved her.

I can’t, I can’t.
I can’t forget her smile.

She may be the joy of my life.
And I’ve finally found the joy.
She may be the joy of my life.
Where was this day hiding from me?
Where was it?
Thank god I found her smile!

I fell in love with her! Yes, I loved her!
I can’t forget her smile.

I fell in love with her! Yes, I loved her!
I can’t forget her smile.

I loved her, I loved her.
Yes, I, I, I loved her.

And after two days,
My heart began to awaken from the joy
And it woke me with it.

And asked me when will we see her?
And I said where can we see her again?

And the nights made me weak.
And they carried my thoughts and worries.
Till the point where the evil of jealousy
Began to grow in front of my eyes.

If I found my friend smiling,
I’d think, he must have seen her today.
And if I saw anger in his eyes,
I’d think they must have fought today.

I couldn’t find a path in front of me.
To save me from my torture.
Except that I search and ask.
And find out the reply from her directly.

I couldn’t find a path in front of me.
To save me from my torture.

And I found her place,
I found it, I found it, I found it.
And I persevered until
I found it, found it, found it.

And I sent her a couple of words.
No more than two lines.
I told her relieve me,
Tell me where do I stand?

And the reply came.
And it came.
And the reply came.
And it came.
The reply came.

And the reply came to me.
And I found her waiting for me.
And the reply came to me.
And I found her waiting for me.

And she told me from the beginning.
I was smiling for you!
Smiling for you.

Me, me.
Yes me, me.
Me, me, me, me!
Not him!

Fi Yom, Fi Shahr (In a day, in a month). S: Abdel Halim Hafez.
Maqam: kord

Abdul Halim Hafez, a famous Egyptian singer, wrote and dedicated this song to his mysterious lover when she passed away from brain cancer.  Rumor has it that he got the phone call telling him of her passing, he immediately became very ill.  In this song (title translate as “in a day, a month, a year”) he tells his love that in a day, a month, or a year sorrow and sadness can be forgotten; but he will never recover from or forget the pain of losing her.

Video link 1. Video link 2.

In a day, in a month, in a year,
Wounds usually heal and disappear
But the duration of my wounds
Are longer than my days
Goodbye, oh world of pleasure;
Goodbye to love and my dreams
For the duration of my wounds
Are longer than my days
In a day

My darling I can see you
Although you are far away
And I walk alone in the path of sorrow
And each step without you is as dark as night
And is filled with longing and memories and a new wound

My darling, I can see you
With my heart, I can see you
With my soul, I can see you
With my love, I can see you!

I see your serenity
Your hands, your words
The laughter of your lips

My darling, I can see you while
The night of separation spreads its wings
Across a wounded being,
Longing to know when his pain shall end
In a day, in a month, in a year,
The wounds usually heal and disappear
But the duration of my wounds
Are longer than my days
In a day

I had wished, that you may live long,
And that I may surround you
And that I may never see a tear of sadness fall from your eye
I had wished but life was too much for you
If it were in my hands,
I would have remained by your side
And I would have brought you a thousand lives
So that I may love you
My eyes were once filled with happiness
But the world thought it was too much for me to have
My darling, what is done is done,
And the nights have separated us
And no matter how I try to hide my wounds,
People shall see my state
In a day, in a month, in a year,
The wounds usually heal and disappear
But the duration of my wounds are longer than my days
In a day.

Fi Youm Wa Leyla (In a day and a night). S: Warda.
Maqam: ajam

Video link.

In one day and one night, a day and a night
We earned the whole beauty of love in a day and a night
My lover and I, my lover and I
Melted with love, only in one day and one night
I’ve never seen or met him in my life
But he has always been on my mind
And in a day, I found him
And knew he’s the one I was longing to see
I forgot the whole world and ran into
He did so too and opened his arms
We found ourselves going to a sea of passion,
Went into it to drink and melt in it
Who would believe all of this would happen
Aand we’d live together our whole lives, in one day and one night
Your face has always been on my mind, and I desired you
You can’t imagine how I was before I met you
I would envy every happiness I see between two hearts
I would get jealous of any wave between two lovers
But now that I woke up with your love
And saw the world from your side
I wish for every two lovers to love each other
As much as I love you
Oh my dear, I was missing you without even knowing you
And the nice destiny brought me
The nice one brought me and you to meet each other
It turns out we were lost
And found the best days of our lives, together, alone
Oh, Who would believe all of this would happen
And we’d live together our whole lives, in one day and one night?
Lovers have always told me about broken hearts
But with your love, I’ll heal every broken hearted
They ask me what I would do if you leave me
Or get away from me
Would I love again, I would never be able to
Do you know why I wouldn’t my dear?
Even if there’s someone like you -which is not true-
How can anyone love other than you?
Everything has changed in my eyes
And for every beautiful thing in the world, I say “this is mine”
And anything I touch with my hands becomes nicer
All of this is since the day your love came and talked to me
Oh my dear, I was missing you without even knowing you
And the nice destiny brought me
The nice one brought me and you to meet each other
It turns out we were lost
And found the best days of our lives, together, alone
Oh, Who would believe all of this would happen
And we’d live together our whole lives,
In one day and one night?
Love of my hopes, dear one, My whole life is yours
And my whole life, oh my life,
wouldn’t be too much to give you
I’ve been saying “I love you” long time
Before I even meet your love
And in a day and a night, a lovely night,
It is raining meetings between us
Your passion met with mine after a long time away
And in a day and a night, time smiled to me
If they’d tell me this day and this night are my whole life
Oh my life, I’d say it’s enough
Life with love, even if it’s for seconds,
Is a whole other endless life
You who loved before us, and who will love after us
May God complete your happiness
And may you love each other as much as we do
Oh my dear, I was missing you without even knowing you
And the nice destiny brought me
The nice one brought me and you to meet each other
It turns out we were lost
And found the best days of our lives, together, alone
Oh, Who would believe all of this would happen
And we’d live together our whole lives,
In one day and one night?

Gabbar. S: Abdel Halim Hafez.
Maqam: kord

Video link.
Gamil Gamal (Such beauty). C/S: Farid al Atrash.
Maqam: nahawand

Video link.

He’s so beautiful, no one is like him
not even in dreams, there’s no beauty like his
truthful who said :
he’s so beautiful like a deer

why do I see the world so beautiful
when you’re with me,
why does my heart feel raptured
and I forget my sorrow
when you’re with me
you ask me why? I don’t know
what’s the secret? I don’t understand
maybe it’s compassion and tenderness from life
or maybe because you’re so beautiful, so beautiful

why does my soul sings every time my eyes see you
and my days start singing around me and I feel reassured
the look of your eyes captures me
and my longing to you puzzles me
maybe it’s compassion and tenderness from life
or maybe because you’re so beautiful, so beautiful

why do all the flowers love you
and the birds and the people
is it because of the tenderness in your heart,
or your feeling or your height
or your sense of humor or your smile or …
maybe it’s compassion and tenderness from life
or maybe because you’re so beautiful, so beautiful

Gana El Hawa (Love has come our way). C: Baligh Hamdi. S: Abdel Halim Hafez.
Maqam: bayat

Video link.

Love has come our way
And we’ve been struck by it
And your pretty eyelashes have snared me in love’s trap

We were struck by love and fell asleep in its trap (literally: we got drowsy)
And only that which has ensnared us can set us free
My darling, you’re on my mind
Oh boy, you’re on my mind

You struck me with your eye’s magic
Don’t tell me where you’re taking me or where we’re going
To a another wound, or unhappy sighs
Or are we headed towards joy?
Why am I asking? Why am I confused like this?
Someday time will reveal it to me
Let’s keep on going just like this

Get me through, oh desire
Land me on the shores of love
My life is yours and my love is yours

Adorn our steps, oh breeze
Embrace us, oh stars, and take us away to be alone
Cast us afar, oh love, cast us afar

Promise not to ever hurt us, oh love
Bring us closer together, don’t push us apart
And let us be happy with our loved ones
And when desire takes control of us calm us down
Let’s keep on going just like this

We were struck by love and fell asleep in its trap
And only that which has ensnared us can set us free
My darling, you’re on my mind
Oh boy, you’re on my mind

Ghanili Shway Shway (Sing for me a little). C: Zakariyya Ahmad. S: Om Kalthoum. L: Mahmud Bayran el-Tunsi.
Maqam: rast

Video link.
Song was featured in 1945 movie, Sallama.

Sing for me a little, a little
Sing for me, take my eyes
Make me sing a tune
That the audience sways for
And the branches flutter for
The narcissus with the jasmine
And travels with the caravans and traverses the deserts
A little, a little

The singer is the life of the soul
The sick man hears him and gets better
And he treats the wounded liver (livers are more important in Arabic than in English)
The doctors are perplexed by it
And he clears the away the darkness of night
Letting light into the eyes of the lovers
A little, a little

I promise you by God (‘lord of the house’ ie the Kaaba)
Oh you who believes in God
I’ll enchant you if I sing
And make the girls of the village dance
A little, a little

gadditii hobbak leh

singer: Um Kallthoum

Ahmad Rami, a famous Egyptian poet, was deeply in love with Um Kalthoum, the famous Egyptian singer, and many believed she was in love with him, too.  He proposed to her many times; and she refused him because she did not want him to lose his passion for her (that he described in his beautiful and meaningful songs) by getting married.  The two grew apart, he stopped writing songs for her, and he married another.  After some years, Um Kalthoum felt the loss of him no longer writing for her.  She contacted him and asked him to write a song for her.  He wrote this song (title translates as “why restarting the love”) that asks why does she want to reopen the wound. At the end of the song, he tells her that she is the love his life.

H

Habibi Ya Eyni (Darling, on my eye). C: George Yazbek. S: Maya Yazbek.
Maqam: hijaz

Video link.

Darling, oh my eyes!
Oh my eyes, my nights
You who are making my eyes not sleep
During my day and nights

I’ve missed
I missed your eyes
You who is separated from us
I have missed your eyes

In your presence, you who are named Samra
When we are together it’s more fun
And the beautiful one prolongs it
And we sing “ya einne ya leile” (oh my eyes, oh the night)

Singing is the life of the soul
Heals the wounded heart
Let’s dance and sing
And let’s live in the most beautiful paradise

Come on, come on, come on
Come on, come on, come on

Beat the drums for me
And you yasbee
Improvise a little forme
And you oh music
Play yourself for me a little

Hadi Ensa Elbo. S: George Wasouf.
Maqam: hijaz
Halawa (Beauty). S: Bassem Yazbik.
Maqam: bayat
Harramt Ahebbak (I’ve given up on loving you). C: Salah el Sharnobi. S: Warda.
Maqam: hijaz kar

Video link 1. Video link 2.

I give up loving you, loving you
Don’t you love me, don’t you love me
And stay away with your heart, your heart
And let me live, let me live
And don’t bother me, and don’t beg me
After what you said, and what you did
I give up loving you, loving you,
Don’t love me

You hurt my heart, and you said you are innocent
And you left me alone in the middle of the way

You want your life, and memories
So you don’t lose anything
I don’t know why you loved me
Or if you really loved me, or what?

Or do you think that you can, but you can’t,
And my heart is yours, and you control it?

Hassan Ya Khouli (Hassan the gardener). C: Hassan Abou el Seoud.
Maqam: nahawand
Hawa Ya Hawa. S: Tony Hanna, Fadl Shaker. NOTE: ORGINAL SINGER AFAF RADI
Maqam: bayat
Hawel Teftekirni. S: Abdel Halim Hafez.
Maqam: bayat

singer: Abdul Halim Hafez

Abdul Halim Hafez, a famous Egyptian singer, wrote this song (title translates as “try to remember me”) for Soad Hosni, a famous Egyptian actress.  A few years after the loss of his mysterious lover, Abdul Halem and Soad fell in love.  She wanted to get married and make their relationship public, but he refused as he felt he might lose fans if they knew he was in a serious relationship.  The couple separated.  He missed her greatly and regretted that he let her go.  He tried to win her back, but she refused him.  Abdul Halem wrote this song to ask her to try to remember him; if she were on a road they worked together before, would she please remember that they had been together.

Video link.

I’m the one who always believed in
the idea of patience in times of trouble.
And I am the one who always said that love lives long.

Since love had taken us both so much,
And since the beauty of the world was ours.
We never thought that it would spite us.
Or that the days would separate us.

And we lived in love, day by day.
And tomorrow was always a dream.
And, no wonder, it was all an illusion.

And she left without saying goodbye.
She wounded my heart,
I stayed up many a night,
And my eyes never found rest.

And where can we find the patience that will cure us?
He who was beaten by love before us should tell us!

She left without saying goodbye.
My darling,
I swear, you’re still my darling.
I swear, even if you’ve forgotten me.
I swear, I can never forget my darling.

Can you try to remember me?
Try to remember me.

If you walk on a path that we once walked upon.
Or pass by a place that we shared a memory in.
Can you try to remember me?
Try to remember me.

These nights we lived,
I can never forget.
They stay on my mind, my darling.
On my mind, day and night, my darling.
On my mind as the sun rises and sets.
And you, too, stay on my mind.

And where can we find the patience that will cure us?
He who was beaten by love before us should tell us!

She left without saying goodbye.
We split up but why? And we suffered.
Tell me why? Tell me, tell me.

Because of doubt, my darling?
From the things people said of me.
Because of jealousy, my darling?
See what jealousy has done to me?

My darling, no matter how long I yearn.
I will still call you “my darling”.
Can you try to remember me?
Try to remember me.

If you walk on a path that we once walked upon.
Or pass by a place that we shared a memory in.
Can you try to remember me?
Try to remember me.

These nights we lived,
I can never forget.
They stay on my mind, my darling.
On my mind, day and night, my darling.
On my mind as the sun rises and sets.
And you, too, stay on my mind.

And where can we find the patience that will cure us?
He who was beaten by love before us should tell us!

She left without saying goodbye.
Our separation all those nights caused me so much pain.
I stayed up longing, Yearning deprived me every night.
So many days were lost, my god!
Suffering and in pain, staying up with no sleep.

I spent the nights, with the moon and the stars. And we spoke much.
I spoke much of you. Trying to find a reason why you left.
Please swear to me now.
Can you try to remember me?
Try to remember me.

If you walk on a path that we once walked upon.
Or pass by a place that we shared a memory in.
Can you try to remember me?
Try to remember me.

These nights we lived,
I can never forget.
They stay on my mind, my darling.
On my mind, day and night, my darling.
On my mind as the sun rises and sets.
And you, too, stay on my mind.

And where can we find the patience that will cure us?
He who was beaten by love before us should tell us!

She left without saying goodbye.
Come, come, come, come, come.
Let the sun and our smile, Rise and fill our world with light.
Come, come, come, come, come.

Why should we say separation is imminent?
When love is in front of our eyes?
Why submit to heartbreak and say we were cheated?
Why say we were cheated?
Come, come, come, come, come.

Let the world see our joy.
Let the world tell our tale.
Come, come, come, come, come.
Oh you who are far away from me, I wish one day you’d hear my cry.
And if you can’t come to me again.
And if you’ve forgotten my past and forgotten my place.

Can you try to remember me?
Try to remember me.
If you walk on a path that we once walked upon.
Or pass by a place that we shared a memory in.
Can you try to remember me?
Try to remember me.

These nights we lived,
I can never forget.
They stay on my mind, my darling.
On my mind, day and night, my darling.
On my mind as the sun rises and sets.
And you, too, stay on my mind.

And where can we find the patience that will cure us?
He who was beaten by love before us should tell us!

She left without saying goodbye.

Hayati.
Maqam: kitab hayati
Hebbina (Love us). C/S: Farid al Atrash.
Maqam: hijaz

Love us(me), love us(me), we(I)loved you, so love(me)us back
If we had not loved your eyes, we would have never tortured and came(to you)
Love us(me), love us(me), we(I)loved you, so love(me)us back

We fell in love, we fell, and on the path of love we got lost
And how many times we suffered, how many many times we suffered
And how many times we walked behind you(took your orders)

And I swear by your life, we would not sacrifice our soul, and will never tell a secret
And where ever you want us to go, And where ever you want us to go,
Where ever you want, take us there

Oh night, sing, love is in its beginnings, let the lovers act difficult, and ask for everything they want
Oh you most pretty of the prettiest, love and stay late at night, love is God’s wish

We loved you long time ago, oh you flower on a branch
Feel for the heart that loves you, Feel for the heart that loves you,

And I swear by the singing bird, my soul calls you by your name
Feel for me, oh you deer of the valley, Feel for me, oh you deer of the valley
And inside of your heart, hide us

Love us(me), love us(me), we(I)loved you, so love(me)us back

Hizzy Ya Nawahem. S: Farid al Atrash, Issam Rajii
Maqam: bayat

Video link.
Houwa Sahih (It is true that love is irressistible?). C: Zakria Ahmad. S: Om Kalthoum.
Maqam: saba
Hobbak Nar. S: Abdel Halim Hafez.
Maqam: kord

Abdul Halim Hafez, a famous Egyptian singer, dedicated this song to his mystery lover with whom he was deeply in love but never named.  The song (title translated as “loving you is a fire”) explains that his love for her is like a fire that he can never extinguish.  He tries to avoid the flames, but in the end he is always drawn closer and closer.  The song was popular as people believed he was singing with true emotion for his real life lover.

Video link 1. Video link 2.

Loving you is hell
Being away from you is hell
Being in your presence is hell
And more than hell

It’s hell, my darling, hell
Your love is a fire (
That I don’t want to put out
Or let there be a moment I don’t feel it
A fire, my darling, that woke me up and healed me
I love the world when I’m experiencing it

It’s hell, my darling, hell
You melt me apart with this wonderful torment
And I send you a message with my eyes
It’s not blame nor is it reproach my darling
It’s nothing more than the word ah [pain]

Oh darling I love you

Oh, if you knew what I’m going through
And the desire that I’ve been hiding from you
Would your heart be up all night too with my heart saying ah?

Oh darling I love you
It’s hell, my darling, hell

I-J

Ihdoon Al Ayam (Embrace the days). S: Warda.
Maqam: bayat

Video link.

Embrace the days before they slip from our hands
Most beautiful love, days have gone from us
They made us taste the honey
With sugar they melted us
And after we loved them
And after we pleased them
They watered us with bitterness
And cheaply sold us

Oh and with our own hands
Oh we have burned
When we fallen in love
We become upset and forgotten and finished
But as long tomorrow is coming
May God reward us
God will reward
Life is still good and God will reward

We said most beautiful words in love
We have believed in it as much we said it
And we loved it and melted with it
Melted with it and it melted with us
We have melted
Love in love
Thirsty for love we drink love
The whole world sang love songs with us
But when we said we are rested now
And when days felt our happiness
The love has gone, leaving wounds

Oh for this life when it gives
But it takes as much it gives
And the more it gives of promises
It felt that love was too much for us
It felt that happiness is too much for us
It felt that dreaming is too much for us

Oh and with our own hands we have burned
When we have fallen in love
We have finished and suffered and been forgotten
But as long tomorrow is coming
May god reward us
God will reward
Life is still good and God will reward

I am waiting for most beautiful love days
With its smile and beauty and fire, I am waiting
Tomorrow our days will say come
I said welcome for its morning smile
And its nights and our familiarization
If someone just remembered
Let’s go
To embrace the days before they slip from our hands
Before life injures us again

Let’s say farewell to the sad rhythym
Let’s pray for the days to come and the time to heal us
Why do we let others gloat if what we have
And everything is determined
If time is determined for us
After our eyes have smiled
Oh after we make up things and compromised
After we went to see them and came back
And then we said we’ll love tomorrow

May God reward us
God will reward
Life is still good and God will reward.

Il Amaken (The Places). S: Mohamed Abdo.
Maqam: saba

In every single place I miss you
And the eyes in which I draw your specter
And my longing excited my soul and came to you
Oh its only me my darling
In every single place I miss you

Everything around me reminds me of something
Even my voice and my laugh has something of you in them
Even if you weren’t in this world you would never be gone
Look at my condition
Ah in every single place I miss you

The places I’ve passed you’re in them
Living with my soul and her father
But I haven’t found you
I came before the scent grew cold
Even before the world melted the silence
And I aimed for you
I was thinking the wind brought your scent saying hi to me
I was thinking the desire brought you
So you can sit beside me for a while
I was thinking, I was thinking
And my thoughts tired
And nothing remains in this life
And I had aimed for you
The places
In all of them I miss you

The feeling in your absence melted every voice
And the nights from your torture
The silence tortured me
And I became scared you wouldn’t come to me
A moment in which my heart wilts
And all my leaves die
Ah if you knew my darling
How my days are without you
You steal my life and leave
Security, where is the security?
When since you left my heart has not tasted security
Why, whenever you come, I ask
This place
I hear the past saying
Oh it’s just me my darling
The places
In all of them I miss you

Ismaouni (Hear me, hear me). S: Warda.
Maqam: bayat

Video link 1    Video link 2

Oh, the people of love before, you have done me injustice hear me
Hear me and hear me and understand me
We loved a a lot, we loved (or were in love)
And we drank, for years, from love, we drank together
And we melted a lot, we melted
And our hearts were tortured

And one night I meet him, talk to him, ask him
Ask him about my name, ask him about my love
He said I didn’t know him, I haven’t met him,
I haven’t seen him, I haven’t loved him
Does it mean he didn’t remember us,
And doesn’t remember our love
And our days together
What did he say to you.. don’t be surprised

Go go
Go tell him, oh moon
He remembers us or did he forget?
He forgets us or does he remember
The nights of staying awake
Why don’t you tell him, oh moon
Or you’ve , oh moon, learned cruelness
And became like my baby
You forget your loved ones, oh moon
iI’s strange and not strange.. life,
It has wonders
It makes those who are unfair comforted
And it tires the good ones
Who who
What good is this to anyone, oh people
Who who
The best years are lost
And days come and people say:
‘I don’t know who he is’
And oh — only if days talked they would’ve told what we used to do
And how much love there was
And how it’s gone and how we were
And now how we’ve become
And see what’s he saying about us now

And one night meet him, talk to him, ask him
Ask him about my name, ask him about my love
He said I didn’t know him, I haven’t met him,
I haven’t seen him, I haven’t loved him
Does it mean he didn’t remember us,
And doesn’t remember our love
And our days together
What did he say to you.. don’t be surprised

Listen to me
To what I’m saying.. listen to me
Let’s forget what used to be between us
Let’s forget time’s betrayal
Listen to me
What do you think?
What do you say?
A loss, and a thousand losses
But what can I do

And one night I meet him, talk to him, ask him
Ask him about my name, ask him about my love
He said I didn’t know him, I haven’t met him,
I haven’t seen him, I haven’t loved him
Does it mean he didn’t remember us,
And doesn’t remember our love
And our days together
What did he say to you.. don’t be surprised

Jari Ya Hamouda. C: Ahmed Hamza.
Maqam: rast

K

Kamel el Awsaf (The perfect woman). S: Abdel Halim Hafez.
Maqam: kord

Video link.

She’s perfect, mesmerizing
And her dark eyes have captured me
From the love [inside her eyes] I went to sing
Oh nights, oh my eyes
Oh night
Her dark eyes.. [have] lashes [as black as] the night
That dream of the night that had passed
And her dark eyes.. have captured me
Oh my heart that is melting
They taught you to stay awake and sing
They taught you the yearning of the lovers
Why my heart why
Why have they captured me why
They lost me
Expatriated me
Her dark eyes
Why.. why have they captured me
They said patience.. is a distant sea
They said her lips… are a flute that express her sighs
And I lay awake waiting
As the stars are with me
They melted me and we melted
In eyes that made me forget
Why my heart why
Why have they captured me, why
They lost me
Expatriated me
Her dark eyes
Why.. why have they captured me

Kan Yama Kan.
Maqam: ajam

singer: Mayada al Henawi; composer: Baligh Hamdi

This song is considered to be one of the most beautiful pieces written by Hamdi, who was of Egyptian nationality.  He wrote the song for his newly divorced wife, Warda al Jazeria, a famous Algerian singer who lived in Egypt.  When the couple divorced, Hamdi moved to Syria; he was still in love with Warda, and he wrote this song for Syrian singer Mayadi Hanawai.  The song was a major hit.  The title means “once upon a time”, and it describes the love Hamdi had for Warda and the happiness that surrounded their life together.

Kariat el Finjan (The fortuneteller). C: Mouhammed El Mouji. S: Abdel Halim Hafez.
Maqam: nahawand

Video Link.

She sat.
She sat with a fearful look on her face and
Examined the overturned tea cup.

She said, my son, don’t grieve.
She said, my son, don’t grieve.

For love is written for you,My son.
love is written for you, My son.

My son, you will die a martyr.

But death is worth it for the one you love.
My son, my son!

I interpreted it.
I interpreted it but thought it was a mistake.
Because I never read
A cup that resembles your cup.

You’re doomed to never settle
In the ocean of love, constantly changing paths.
And your life, all your life.
Your whole life will be a story of tears.

You’re doomed to always be imprisoned
Between water and fire.

Despite all that burns you.
And despite all that saddens you.

And despite the grief that lives within you
Day and night
And despite the wind.
And despite the rainy and stormy weather.
Love has left you, my son.
The greatest of things.

My son.

(Music Interlude 2)

I swear to you, my son, this woman
Her eyes are beyond belief.

Her face looks like a painting.
Her laugh is as beautiful as a song or roses.

And her wild and crazy hair,
Travels all around the world.

One day, this woman, my son,
The love of your heart,
Becomes your whole world.

I swear to you, my son, this woman
Her eyes are beyond belief.
I swear to you, my son, this woman

Her face looks like a painting.
Her laugh is as beautiful as a song or roses.

But your sky becomes cloudy and torn.
And your path is blocked.

For the love of your heart, my son,
Sleeps in a large, gated castle.

He who enters its gates,
He who asks for her hand,
He who enters her cell.

He who tries to break her chains,
He who tries to break her chains,

My son, will cause her to vanish.
Vanish.
My son, my son.

(Music Interlude 3)

You will try to search for her, my son Everywhere.
Satifatishoo anha ya walady, Fee kol makaan.
And you will try to ask the waves of the sea
Wa satasaalo anhaa maug el bahr.
And everyone you meet about her.
We tasaalo fairouz el shitaan.

You will try to search for her, my son Everywhere.
Satifatishoo anha ya walady, Fee kol makaan.
And you will try to ask the waves of the sea
Wa satasaalo anhaa maug el bahr.
And everyone you meet about her.
We tasaalo fairouz el shitaan.

You will try to search for her, my son Everywhere.
Satifatishoo anha ya walady, Fee kol makaan.
And you will try to ask the waves of the sea
Wa satasaalo anhaa maug el bahr.
And everyone you meet about her.
We tasaalo fairouz el shitaan.

You will try to search for her, my son Everywhere.
Satifatishoo anha ya walady, Fee kol makaan.
And you will try to ask the waves of the sea
Wa satasaalo anhaa maug el bahr.
And everyone you meet about her.
We tasaalo fairouz el shitaan.

You will try to search for her, my son Everywhere.
Satifatishoo anha ya walady, Fee kol makaan.
And you will try to ask the waves of the sea
Wa satasaalo anhaa maug el bahr.
And everyone you meet about her.
We tasaalo fairouz el shitaan.

And you’ll travel ocean after ocean.
Wa tagoobo biharaan wa bihara.
And your tears will flow like rivers.
Wa tafidoo dimoo-oka anhara.
And you’ll travel ocean after ocean.
Wa tagoobo biharaan wa bihara.
And your tears will flow like rivers.
Wa tafidoo dimoo-oka anhara.

And your grief will grow.
Wa siyakboro houznoka
So great as to resemble trees.
Hatta yosbiha ashgaraan.

(Music Interlude 4)

You will try to search for her, my son Everywhere.
Satifatishoo anha ya walady, Fee kol makaan.
And you will try to ask the waves of the sea
Wa satasaalo anhaa maug el bahr.
And everyone you meet about her.
We tasaalo fairouz el shitaan.

You will try to search for her, my son Everywhere.
Satifatishoo anha ya walady, Fee kol makaan.
And you will try to ask the waves of the sea
Wa satasaalo anhaa maug el bahr.
And everyone you meet about her.
We tasaalo fairouz el shitaan.

You will try to search for her, my son Everywhere.
Satifatishoo anha ya walady, Fee kol makaan.
And you will try to ask the waves of the sea
Wa satasaalo anhaa maug el bahr.
And everyone you meet about her.
We tasaalo fairouz el shitaan.

You will try to search for her, my son Everywhere.
Satifatishoo anha ya walady, Fee kol makaan.
And you will try to ask the waves of the sea
Wa satasaalo anhaa maug el bahr.
And everyone you meet about her.
We tasaalo fairouz el shitaan.

You will try to search for her, my son Everywhere.
Satifatishoo anha ya walady, Fee kol makaan.
And you will try to ask the waves of the sea
Wa satasaalo anhaa maug el bahr.
And everyone you meet about her.
We tasaalo fairouz el shitaan.

(Music Interlude 5)

You will try to search for her, my son Everywhere.
Satifatishoo anha ya walady, Fee kol makaan.
And you will try to ask the waves of the sea
Wa satasaalo anhaa maug el bahr.
And everyone you meet about her.
We tasaalo fairouz el shitaan.

You will try to search for her, my son Everywhere.
Satifatishoo anha ya walady, Fee kol makaan.
And you will try to ask the waves of the sea
Wa satasaalo anhaa maug el bahr.
And everyone you meet about her.
We tasaalo fairouz el shitaan.

And you’ll travel ocean after ocean.
Wa tagoobo biharaan wa bihara.
And your tears will flow like rivers.
Wa tafidoo dimoo-oka anhara.
And you’ll travel ocean after ocean.
Wa tagoobo biharaan wa bihara.
And your tears will flow like rivers.
Wa tafidoo dimoo-oka anhara.

And your grief will grow.
Wa siyakboro houznoka
So great as to resemble trees.
Hatta yosbiha ashgaraan.

(Music Interlude 6)

And you will return one day, my son,
Wa sitarga yawmaan, ya walady.
Defeated, broken and wounded.
Mahzooman, maksooran wigdaan.
And you will return one day, my son,
Wa sitarga yawmaan, ya walady.
Defeated, broken and wounded.
Mahzooman, maksooran wigdaan.

And you will return one day, my son,
Wa sitarga yawmaan, ya walady.
Defeated, broken and wounded.
Mahzooman, maksooran wigdaan.
And you will return one day, my son,
Wa sitarga yawmaan, ya walady.
Defeated, broken and wounded.
Mahzooman, maksooran wigdaan.

And you will return one day, my son,
Wa sitarga yawmaan, ya walady.
Defeated, broken and wounded.
Mahzooman, maksooran wigdaan.
And you will return one day, my son,
Wa sitarga yawmaan, ya walady.
Defeated, broken and wounded.
Mahzooman, maksooran wigdaan.

And you will return one day, my son,
Wa sitarga yawmaan, ya walady.
Defeated, broken and wounded.
Mahzooman, maksooran wigdaan.
And you will realize after your life is lost,
Wa sataarifu baady rahil el omr
That you where running after an illusion.
Bi-inaaka konty totarido khaita dokh-aan.

Because the love of your life,
Fa habibato kalbika,
Has neither a land,
Laysalaha ardoon
Nor country, nor address.
Aw wataanoon aw onwan.

Because the love of your life,
Fa habibato kalbika,
Has neither a land,
Laysalaha ardoon
Nor country, nor address.
Aw wataanoon aw onwan.

Because the love of your life,
Fa habibato kalbika,
Has neither a land,
Laysalaha ardoon
Nor country, nor address.
Aw wataanoon aw onwan.

It’s impossible to love a woman,
Ma asaab antahawa amraataan.
My son, who has no home.
Ya walady, laysalaha onwaan.
It’s impossible to love a woman,
Ma asaab antahawa amraataan.
My son, who has no home.
Ya walady, laysalaha onwaan.
It’s impossible to love a woman,
Ma asaab antahawa amraataan.
My son, who has no home.
Ya walady, laysalaha onwaan.

Who has no home.
Laysalaha onwaan.
Who has no home.
Laysalaha onwaan.
No home.
Onwaan.
No home.
Onwaan.

It’s impossible to love a woman,
Ma asaab antahawa amraataan.
My son, who has no home.
Ya walady, laysalaha onwaan.
It’s impossible to love a woman,
Ma asaab antahawa amraataan.
My son, who has no home.
Ya walady, laysalaha onwaan.

Who has no home.
Laysalaha onwaan.
Who has no home.
Laysalaha onwaan.
No home.
Onwaan.
No home.
Onwaan.

My son

Khatwet Habibi (Footsteps of my life). C: Mohamed Abdel Wahab.
Maqam: hijaz
Khalik Hinna (Stay here). S: Warda, George Wassouf. Often done as medley with Ismaouni.
Maqam: bayat
Khayef Marrah. Abdel Halim Hafez.
Maqam: kord

Video link 1. Video link 2.
Koulli Amalak. C/S: Mohamed Abdel Wahab.
Maqam: sika

Tell me, what did my heart do to you?
My heart that you’ve forgotten and you are the most valuable to it.
We look at each other and you don’t feel me.
I’m in so much pain alone with all my thoughts.
Those thoughts that took so many nights from me.
Tell me, why is that? And why didn’t you leave me alone?
Show me where to find someone that can hear my words!
Where to find someone that can describe my love and pain!
My love to you is more than a love story.
The best love story if your heart was next me!

L

La Mosh Ana Ellabki. C: Mohamed Abdel Wahab.
Maqam: kord

singer / composer: Mohamad Abdul Wahab

Abdul Wahab, a famous Egyptian singer and composer, wrote and sang this song when he was divorced from his wife.  The title translates as “I’m not the one who cries”.  After the divorce, she evidently tried to reconcile with him to renew their relationship.  In the song, he says that his love for her was hopeless and that he will not be destroyed by living without her.  The song was famous was people related it to a real life moment in Abdul Wahab’s life. 

Layali Lobnan.
Maqam: sika
Laylet Hob (A love night). C: Mohamed Abdel Wahab. S: Om Kalthoum.
Maqam: nahawand

Video link.

You did never stay away from our dates (meetings)
so why do you not come tonight?
I am confused by your behaviour
what kept you away from me?
Hopefully I wait for you

Oh my darling
I am awake and hope that you will come to me
and we will stay together all this night
Come on an let us live the love of our life this night

Refrain:
Come on and let us ease (?-do you use this word only in connection with “pain”) the longing of our hearts of our hole live
In this night

We should not live our passion tomorrow
We should not live our joy tomorrow
Like our first love night is THIS night

Oh my darling
you are the beat of my heart
And the light of my live
you are the smile of my night
it’s dream and remberance
here our world has found it’s peace
me and the entire world
miss you

The spring
The flowers
The well (of water)
the soft breath of the night
are all here together with me
and we wait for you
we all have great longing for you
come to us all
who adore you
come to my heart
the nights full of longing (healing?) call
don’t let us suffer
don’t let us wait any futher for you

Rerain :
Come on and let us enjoy the happiness
come on and let us live the love of our life
In THIS night (repeat as above)

My love is bigger than all collected love in the heart of all people
My love stays evwen if you are so far away from me
My longing grows with each day
everything which surrounds me reminds me of you
everything I see carries the smile of your eyes

Oh my darling
you are far away from all candles
which flames your smile
your step
your laughter
your whispering
come to my dreams
to love and inspiration
come on and let us enjoy
so much we can
We are awake and let the others sleep
Come on and let us live the love of our hole life THIS night

repeat Refrain…..

The sweetest nights
and the most beautiful remembering
you gave me
with your tenderness
you feed my weak hopes
and in my thoughts you live this night
and each and every night
again and again
we came here
to this place
and the nights embraced us
and we did fly very high
you are the live of my soul
I came here with the longing in my heart
and full of tenderness
we all wait for you
we came for covering your way with flowers
for what you did not come?…

..you will come later
I will take your hands and put them into mine
and with my eyes I will love your eyes
and we will live a love night
so beautiful
like the beauty of the whole life

Leyla Leyla. S: Mohamed Abdo.
Maqam: rast
Leyla. C/S: Farid al Atrash.
Maqam: hijaz
Lissa Fakir (Do you still remember?) C: Riad El-Sombati. S: Om Kalthoum.
Maqam: ajam

Do you think that my heart will still give you trust? Or one word will bring back what used to be?
yearning with the affection?
Do you still remember that was in the past
Do you think that my heart will still give you trust
Or one word will bring back what used to be?
Or do you think that one look will re-create the tenderness and passion?
Do you still remember that was in the past

In my heart, all my days were spent in tears… that was my life

How often you took my love for granted! So each time my tears ran they wiped off my hope in you and my patience.
In my heart, all my days were spent in tears… that was my life

Words! words! are all that are left now. My love has vanished with my wounds.

What I suffered in the dark nights
Has been forgotten in the light of morning.
Today the love, the tenderness and the passion
When you ask about them I will say they were in the past
Do you still remember they were in the past

You enjoyed seeing my heart suffering. Suffering caused by your cruelty and empty days
You were listening to my “ah’s” as if they were music. While I was burning the fire of their echo.
Fire, fire which slowly, slowly melted our love.
can allaya taerif (missing end part) You enjoyed my suffering and preferred cruelty and did not appreciate my love
Ah…. ah… ah…
You referred to my dark sorrowing nights thinking of you, as a game but for me that was part of my precious life.
I have decided to enquire about the meaning of all my doubts and tears.
While you were enjoying yourself
Seeing me worried and confused
You referred to my dark sorrowing nights thinking of you, as a game
Tell me. Now you know the end, what do you want from me? Have you come longing for my love or my tears and suffering?
Today love is a story “once upon a time”
When you ask me I will tell you
It was in the past
Do you still remember
It was in the past

M

Ma Besalsh Aleya (she never thinks about me). S: Mohammad Abdul Muttaleb.
Maqam: nahawand

Maddah al Amar. C: Baligh Hamdi. S: Abdel Halim Hafez.
Maqam: bayat

Video link.

Lover of the patience nights,
Praiser of the moon…… I’m a lover
The love of the black eyes makes me love to stay up at night

Unless the day in your eyes
Unless the flowers in your cheeks
Unless the safety in your presence
I wouldn’t be fond I wouldn’t love
Or felt the taste of love my life
Your swinging body awakened the feeling in me
You are the most beautiful one in my eyes,
Great who created you my life

Your hair is black like the night, oh night oh night
And you spread it out on the moon
Oh moon oh moon
You with a beautiful smile that lighten the night of vigil
Oh night oh night
Oh moon
Your beauty makes the hearts’ beats say ah
aaaaaaaaah
They said a lot of poems and stories about you

And every night they talk about their love
And about the lash that affected them
And the night gets longer with them
And makes the happiness of my life gets closer

Your swinging body awakened the feeling in me
You are the most beautiful one in my eyes,
Great who created you my life

Oh my eyes oh my eyes, my eyes are on you
All the hearts are melted around you, my eyes

But me, only me
I see you with eyes rather than that of other people

And I love you by all the senses in my heart
I see the sadness hiding behind the smile in your eyes
And I hear in your voice ring sorrow that fills your nights
And I wish those who described you a lot
Took my eyes to see you
They would love you with their hearts as me
And my heart loved you

Your swinging body awakened the feeling in me
You are the most beautiful one in my eyes,
Great who created you my life

Folk song folk song, lover became a folk song
And my story is being told
To the people And the lovers
A folk song I’m a folk song
And my story is being told
Aaaaaaah folk song

They said in this folk song, they said

About who tolerate and get
After years of patience
And I whose my heart almost pleased
I am become in a world of happiness
I’ve walked a long way, night
And I didn’t say no way even for once
And I walked on the thorns,
That didn’t make me get back
Until the love obeyed me

And I and the pretty became a story
That will never end
As you my sweetheart are with me,
My days will be lightened

Maghroora (Arrogant). C: Samir Sfeir. Sung by Wael Kfouri.
Maqam: ajam

For a while, you have been arrogant. (x 3)

I talk to you and you don’t answer.
For a while, you have been arrogant.
I talk to you and you don’t answer.

You forgot the house on the dirt hill full of snow and cold. (x 2)

Full of snow and cold.
We stayed all night long and you stayed with me.

I talk to you and you don’t answer.
For a while, you have been arrogant.
Repeat once.

You forgot the house on the dirt hill full of snow and cold. (x 2)

Full of snow and cold.
We stayed all night long and you stayed with me.

Da, Da, Da, Da, Da, Da, Da, Da, Da, Da, Da, Da, Da.

It seems that You showed up early, you thought of yourself as a young lady acceptable and smart and shifty and you stopped answering me. (x 3)

You forgot the dirt hill and it shades that were roses in your cheeks. (x 4)

The sea with your sun lights erased the rosy color.

You forgot the house on the dirt hill full of snow and cold.
Full of snow and cold.
Repeat once.

Full of snow and cold.
We stayed all night long and you stayed with me.

For a while, you have been arrogant.
I talk to you and you don’t answer.
Repeat 6 times.

Da, Da, Da, Da, Da, Da, Da, Da, Da, Da, Da, Da, Da, Da, Da, Da. Da, Da, Da, Da, Da, Da, Da, Da. (x 2)

It is on you that you should not hide that you denied the love we had. You thought it is a joke to play with my heart. I sware by your life that your heart is mistaken. (x 2)

You forgot the love, you forgot the promise and how many times I spread roses for you. (x 4)

Go away, and this time for sure I will tell you I am quitting.

You forgot the house on the dirt hill full of snow and cold. (x 2)

Full of snow and cold.
We stayed all night long and you stayed with me.

For a while, you have been arrogant.
I talk to you and you don’t answer.
Repeat 2 times.

You forgot the house on the dirt hill full of snow and cold. (x 2)

Full of snow and cold.
We stayed all night long and you stayed with me.
Repeat 3 times.

We stayed all night long and you stayed with me.

Maharjan. Composer unknown.
Maqam: kord

Mashaal (The torch). C: Ahmad Fouad Hasan.
Maqam: kord
Mawoud (I’ve been promised). C: Baligh Hamdi. S: Abdel Halim Hafez.
Maqam: nahawand

Video link.

Promised, Promised (or accustomed, used to it)
You’re Promised to torture with me
You’re Promised my heart
Promised to always being wounded
You’re Promised my heart
You’re Promised
You’re Promised

The pain and wounds will never someday heal
Oh my heart
The pain and wounds will never someday heal
Oh my heart

And in your whole life never have you seen joy with me
Everytime you come back from the journey hurt

And today you’ve come to say ‘forget the past’
You’ve come to say let’s go
Let’s go, your love has passed

He stopped, put down his napkin and wrote on it’s edge
‘Go to him’

So promise us oh world
Take us to our joy, promise

And keep sadness away from us
And tell love ‘wait’

Again, again, again
We’ll go back to love again
And the fire and toruture again
Again, again, again
We’ll go back to confusion again
And be lost, and chase after our dreams

And the moon will go away
And embrace the sleeplessness
And burn with our pain
In the nights of regret

The night
Oh the nights
Oh the nights
The embraces of sleeplessness

Oh you are the one who saw the tears in my eyes
And I always come back alone

May the dawn of love rise early
And fill our new journey

And it began, it began, it began
The journey began
And it began, it began, it began
The journey began

And oh my fear
Oh my fear
Oh my fear for the end of the journey
Oh my fear

Heaven or hell oh my eye?
I’m going regardless but unsure which
Oh my fear
Heaven or hell oh my eye?
I’m going regardless but unsure which
Oh my fear

And we met
And life was beautiful before our eyes
And we met
And the words from her lips were songs

Everything that I thought of
You responded to in a second
With a beautiful glance from your eyes

There’s hope in her eyes
I felt like I attained my hope in her eyes
There’s hope in her eyes
I felt like I attained my hope in her eyes

Take as much sympathy as you want
You who is deprived of sympathy
Take as much sympathy as you want
You who is deprived of sympathy

The moon rose
And fear withdrew
The moon rose
And fear withdrew

The wind became warm
And the night listened

You see where we are?
You see where we are my heart?
And where shes gone
You see where we are my heart?
And where shes gone

You see where she took us my heart?
And do you see where she left us?

To the road of the past we are returning
To the road of the past
At the same place we were lost
At the same place

Our wounds to not calm down my heart
In the road of the past
Our wounds to not calm down my heart
In the road of the past

The path awakened our senses
And the moans of the years and the sky
The sky cries over us
And our sad days
Our sad days

Even the stars of our night and the moon have gone away
Gone away, gone away, gone away

Meen Habibi Anna (Where/who is my sweetheart?). C: Samir Sfeir. S: Wael Kfouri.
Maqam: bayat

Video link.

Wael: Who is my sweetheart*? Answer me and tell me!

Nawal: You are the one I love
Living in my heart and soul
You are the ease for my pain
You are my life and love!

Wael: When you asked I told you I love you
While when i asked you, you went hiding (gone quiet)
How could you, how could you
No, love is not like this, both hearts cannot accept this
And if it’s hard for you to speak with your eyes
i know, i know what you would say
Who is my sweetheart? Answer me and tell me
Answer me and tell me, who is my sweetheart?

Nawal: If you would be gone away for a minute I’d be hurt
And I’d talk about you to the wind
There is no one as beautiful as him
My life has begun with his love
I speak and the echo answers
You are the one I love.

Wael: Your eyes tell me steal my heart and run away
And you still making it hard for me
Oh well the time is passing us by
And the dreams are slipping away
And what is life good for if we do not fall in love
Why are you still shy?
Who is my sweetheart? Answer me and tell me
You are the one I love
Who is my sweetheart? Answer me and tell me
You are the one I love
You are the one I love

Note: Translated as my sweetheart, my baby, or my love(r).

Men el Chark (From the East). c: Mohamed Abdel Wahab.

Mestaniyak (I’m waiting for you). S: Warda, Aziza Jalal, Nancy Ajram.
Maqam: rast
Mizmar Holiday. C: Upper Egypt Ensemble.
Maqam: bayat

Instrumental.

Moughram Ya Leil (Into the night). S: Ragheb Alama.
Maqam: kord

Video link.

N-O-P-Q

Nagwa Music. C: Hamouda Ali.
Maqam: nahawand

Instrumental.

Nar el Ghera (Fire of jealousy). C: Salah el Sharnobi. S: Warda.
Maqam: nakriz

Video link 1. Video link 2.

Try the fire of jealousy and tell me your opinion
Try and describe it for me
Try to make night into day
Under you are thorns and your eyes are afire
Try the fire of jealousy!

So many times, jealousy took me from you and brought me back
And now you are leaving me in this fire
without feeling my suffering
It seems that you are without care
or that you enjoy my jealousy?
I vow to make you taste it, to make you try it a little.

I’ll allow you, once, to see me in the eyes
of the one who saw me
Neither do I know him, nor he me,
though making himself close to me
I saw in your eyes a glance which contains bitter jealousy
That way was the first time!
Now taste the second!

Nassam Alayna (The air breezed upon us from the spirit of the valley). C: Rahbani Brothers. S: Fairuz.
Maqam: kord
Video link.

The air breezed upon us
From the spirit of the valley
Oh breeze, for love’s sake
Take me home (homeland).

Oh love, oh love
That is flying in the breeze
There’s a mantoura (flower),
A small window and a picture (of someone special)
Take me to them, breeze

I’m scared, my heart
To grow up in this estrangement
Any my home wouldn’t recognize me
Take me, take me
Take me home

The air breezed upon us
From the spirit of the valley
Oh breeze, for love’s sake
Take me home

What is with us? what is with us?
Oh my love, what is with us?
We were, and you used to stay with us
And now we’ve separated, what is with us?

And the sun is still crying
On the door and doesn’t talk,
And the love of home is saying
Take me, take me
Take me home

The air breezed upon us
From the spirit of the valley
Oh breeze, for love’s sake
Take me home

Nebtidi Mnein El Hikeiya (Where should the story begin). C: Mohamed Abdel Wahab. S: Abdel Halim Hafez.
Maqam: kord

Video link.

If we were to tell the story, where would we begin the tale?
Our love story, has more than one beginning
We’ve lived within it, My how we’ve lived
We’ve seen much in it, My what we’ve seen
But we walked, and completed the journey of love,
And we’ve arrived
And the world wasn’t able to make us argue or separate us
Or drive us apart

Come, let’s go tell everyone how you and I were able
To escape from all torture, and live forever in love
And embrace our joy together, and to keep our love young
And in our journey, you and I met many things that wounded others
Jealousy, and its worries, and what happens as a result
The day it came close to us, it was driven away by our love
And we met the envious, and they saw us.
And not once did they think about leaving us alone
And the talked about us, my how they talked about us.
But our love never changed
And you’d travel, and I’d travel.
And many times our travel prolonged
And our hearts would meet with every rising of the moon
And if our paths drove us apart,
The beauty of longing would bring us together
And who can make us argue? Who can break us apart?
When between our hearts, every moment is a meeting

Come, let’s go tell everyone how you and I were able
To escape from all torture, and live forever in love
And embrace our joy together, and to keep our love young
And suddenly we stopped, and our fear began
And we found around us the world filled with mist
And night and a wounded heart
Like the leaves of trees in autumn, thrown by the wind
We asked our souls why. What is greater than our love?
But our fear didn’t stay too long with us,
And we knew, we saw, we felt
You see that love is just glances, and touches,
But I see that it’s the most beautiful words,
Of lovers, my darling, it’s the words comprised of lips
You, when you’re next to me at every meeting that brings us together,
You go far away with your sighs
And I see that our meeting is of two people together,
Weakened, melting by a touch of the hand
You say you’re scared, let’s leave and be apart,
Because the passion is great, it may trick us both
What are you afraid of?
What is there more beautiful than warm embrace?
And then you say, look at the moon with me
The moon that every lover stay up at night for it
The moon is beautiful,
But what is more beautiful than the moon?
If we allow our lives to one day taste the beauty love
And our fear was defeated, after we paused for a little
And with our heartbeats, We knew what the cure was
And we lived love, as a fantasy, and a reality, together

Nour el Ain (Darling, you are the glow in my eyes). C: Nasser Al Mezdawy. S: Amr Diab.
Maqam: hijaz
Oyun el Alb (Eyes of the heart). C: Muhammad El Mouji. S: Najat El Saghira.
Maqam: bayat

Eyes of the heart are awake, they don’t sleep
I am not awake nor asleep, I can’t
The night passes, passes over my restless eyelashes
And my eyelashes have not tasted sleep
While his eyes are indulging in sleep
Sleep, leave my lover’s eyes
Leave, oh sleep
Sweetheart, oh from my sweetheart
On you is the most beautiful smile
When his eyes laugh
I say hello there
When he says hello to me
Don’t say a word
After every word I want to
Tell him, oh wow
He told me one day, “Baby, take the moon”
And I went with him but he gave me nothing but sleepless nights
You tell me things and I get so happy
I leave sleep and think of you
You talk and then you walk away
And I stay up, I can’t sleep
Oh you, who sleeps so soundly…
Every night, my darling
You’ve kept me up, my darling
Your love, sweety
I write on the nights…
Your name, sweetheart
I loved you, dear, without asking any questions
And I will stay up, dear, as long as the nights stretch
The only thing confusing me and keeping me from sleep…
Is how I can stay up all night and how you can sleep
And I tell him, sweetheart, everything in you, sweetheart, is a dream
Your voice is a dream, your heart is a dream
And although you tire me out and I stay up for you
The restless nights from you are a dream

R

Raks Jamila (Dance of Jamila).. Composer unknown.
Maqam: kord.

Video Link Part 1.
Video Link Part 2.
Video Link (Suhaila Performance).

Instrumental

Raks Suhaila (Dance of Suhaila). Composer unknown.
Maqam: kord

Video Link (Suhaila performance).

Instrumental

Rimsh ayounha (Her eyelashes). C/S: Mohamed Fouad.
Maqam: kord

Rashrish Houbbak Ya Jamil. C: Fathi Al Jarrah. S: Shadi Jamil.
Maqam: saba

S

Sahara City. C: Ahmad Fouad Hassan.
Maqam: nahawand

Instrumental.

Saharni (Charmed). S: Najwa Karam.
Maqam: bayat

Keep me up all night and spoil me, keep me awake.
You have come with happiness and changed me.
You made me something different
And you have taken my family from me
And this is what is what will make me crazy, keep me awake.

You have hooked me, and I don’t know how
There is no other that fills my mind.
You have kept me this way and I am still this way.
I go and return speaking to myself.

You brought me the moon
And the stars also
And thirsted me from the rose, keep me awake.

You’ve taken my spirit, where can I go?
You have changed my heart in a split second.
And all the love and romance
They have grown in the matter of two days
And when I first met him I didn’t speak to him or ask him.
What is it that you said? Keep me awake.

Salam Alley (She greeted me). C: Baligh Hamdi. S: Nagat.
Maqam: bayat

She greeted me, she greeted me
When she met me, and greeted me
Oh boy, oh boy, she greeted me!
The young girl walking in the garden
The flowers said to her, O Beautiful
The color of her cheeks brightened us
O my beloved
If my beloved calls me
I would forget about my friends and family
I would be happy being close to her, and take my time
O my beloved

Salametha Ya Om Hassan (Salametha, mother of Hassen). C: Hasan Abou El Soud. S: Ahmed Adaweya.
Maqam: seba
Salemtak bi Dalla. S: Kazem Saher.
Maqam: bayat
Sawah (The wanderer). C: Baligh Hamdi. S: Abdel Halim Hafez.
Maqam: kord

Wandering,
And walking through the lands, wandering.
And the distance between me
And my beloved is vast.

It’s a long journey,
And in it, I’m a stranger.
And the night draws near,
And the sun has returned to it’s home.

Wandering,
And walking through the lands, wandering.
And the distance between me
And my beloved is vast.

It’s a long journey,
And in it, I’m a stranger.
And the night draws near,
And the sun has returned to it’s home.

If you find my love,
Greet him for me.
If you find my love,
Greet him for me.

Reassure me about my love,
What has the separation done to him.
Reassure me about my love,
What has our separation done to him.

Reassure me about my love,
What has our separation done to him.

If you find my love,
Greet him for me.
If you find my love,

Seit El Housen (The lady of beauty). C: Hamouda Ali.
Maqam: kord

Instrumental.

Sert el Hob (The subject of love). S: Om Khalthoum.
Maqam: sika
Shatti Ya Dini (Rain, life, rain). C: Rahbani Brothers. S: Fairuz.
Maqam: hijaz
Shik Shak Shok. C: Hassam Abou el Seoud. S: Nancy Ajram.
Maqam: nahawand

Video link.

Shik Shak Shok
Shik Shak Shok
Shik Shak Shok
My darling, I’m going to make you forget about rap and rock
Shik Shak Shok
Shik Shak Shok
My darling, I’m going to make you forget about rap and rock
Come, let us dance baladi
How beautiful!
This baladi is the light of my eyes
come let us dance baladi
this baladi is the light of my eyes
In the heart it pierces
Shik Shak Shok

Sidi Monsour (My master Mousour). C: Sameh Al Ajmai. S: Saber al Roubai.
Maqam: nahawand

Video link.

Soultan Zamani. C: Fathi Al Jarrah. S: Shadi Jamil.
Maqam: bayat

T-U-V-W

Taht Il Shibak (Under the window). S: Fatme Serhan.
Maqam: nahawand

Video link.

Oh my night, oh my eye, oh, oh, oh my night
Oh night, oh night, oh oh, oh night, oh, oh, oh night
Under the window I spotted you oh man, is she still with you, tell me oh man (repeat 3x)

You went past the house (repeat)
I’ll kiss your feet, so that you may kiss from above, and cure the passion. Oh please 
Kiss and be spoilt…with my eyes oh man
Oh peace, send greetings…on my eyes oh man
Ah kiss and talk….on my eyes oh man repeat)

Under the window I spotted you oh man, is she still with you tell me oh man (repeat)

I’ll say somethiing, I wonder at a girl who loved a man
I wonder at a a girl who loved a man and told him —
To me I have sepearation, and the rest covers
And she put him in a high palace, and freed herself for him (repeat)
The man turned out to not be worthy
The man turned out to be a dreamer
He doesnt know (repeat)
He doesnt know a cover or a path
She told him come down from the bank, you dont need to cover me
Under the window I spotted you oh man, is she still with you tell me oh man (repeat)
Your cheeks are an apple, let me taste oh man. Apple — oh man (repeat)
You went past the house (repeat)
I’ll kiss your feet so that you may kiss above and cure the passion, oh please
Kiss and talk…on my eyes oh man
Oh peace, send my greetings…on my eyes oh man
Ah, kiss and talk…on my eyes oh man
Oh peace, send my greetings..on my eyes oh man

I say oh pretty, the one in a dress, I want to melt on your hands
Pretty, the one in a dress, I want to melt on your hands
A day, and I wish (repeat)
My heart is a key, it opens with your hand
Because I love you you want me to kiss your hands
Then wait by the door, passion oh man, and singing is the nature of passion oh man (repeat)
You went past the house (repeat)
I’ll kiss your feet so that you may kiss from above and cure the passion, oh please
Kiss and talk…on my eyes oh man
Oh peace, send my greetings….on my eyes oh man
Ah kiss and talk..on my eyes oh man
Oh peace send my greetings
Under the window I spotted you oh man, is she still with you tell me oh man, aah (repeat)

Tamr henna (Oh, henna flower). C: Mohammed Moogy. S: Fayza Ahmad.
Maqam: hijaz
Video link 1. Video link 2.
Tool Omri (All my life). C: Amr Mostafa. Sungy by Nawal al-Zougbi.
Maqam: nahawand

Video link.

My whole life my eyes see you
From the past until now
You have let me live the beautiful years of my life
From my life when I was with you
I have loved the way when I saw u
From when I have missed you
Come closer to me, let me melt for you
My heart doesn’t believe that I have found you
This is for you
My hole life I have hoped to see you
My heart doesn’t believe that I have found you
Let me just love you 2x
My whole life my eyes see you
From the past until now
You have let me live the beautiful years of my life
From my life when I was with you
No, from a day I haven’t seen that you were away from me
I have seen always that my love was alone
And from one second I wouldn’t forget you 2x
My whole life my eyes see you
From the past until now
You have let me live the beautiful years of my life
From my life when I was with you
I have loved the way when I saw you
From when I have missed you
Come closer to me, let me melt for you
My heart doesn’t believe that I have found you
My whole life my eyes see you
From the past until now
You have let me live the beautiful years of my life
From my life when I was with you
I have loved the way when I saw you
From when I have missed you
Come closer to me, let me melt for you
My heart doesn’t believe that I have found you

Wahashtini (I miss you). C: Khalid el Emir. S: Khalid Aja & So’ad Mohammad.
Maqam: nahawand

Video Link So’ad Mohammad. Video ink Khalid Aja.

I miss you, as much as the number of stars
I miss you, every day, more and more
Come to me, come to me
And let’s make the dream a reality
And let’s make up for every lost minute
Because tomorrow could separate us
And you, my sweetheart, we just made up together
I missed you, and I came back to you
I miss you
Nights, nights, nights, nights
Where I never dreamt something like you
I wait for happiness, and I wait for you
It is time to meet my love, it’s time to meet you
It makes me feel younger
I miss you

X-Y

Ya Ain Moulayeten (Princess eyes). Folk music rearranged by Rafiq Houbayka.
Maqam: bayat

Oh, my eyes behold two single girls
And twelve more
The iron bridge has been worn out
By the steps of my feet!

If you could be merciful when you come
And let me drink from your eyes
So that the heart will be satisfied
And my worries you’ll make me forget!

I am a hunter
And now you could hunt me
And the eyes are dark with kohl
And the lips are rosy!

Welcome
And twice to those who have come
I’ll sit and sprinkle the road
With water for the brown [skinned] girls until they go crazy

A crisis, they say insanity
A crisis, they say he was
Attacked in the head by a jinn!
I went over the mountain
And met their folk
All of them dressed in green turbans
How beautiful they are sitting

When will dusk come
And I’ll become their luggage[I wish if I marry you, I’ll be a part of it] And I wear the wedding dress
And henna on my hands!

Oh, you gazelle on the steppes
And she cries out, guide me
I wish to see my love
Show me, oh you people
And if I have any guilt
Dangle me in a deep well
And then cut the rope and
That won’t be enough punishment

Ya Bahia. C: Baligh Hamdi. S: Mhamed Aazabi.
Maqam: bayat
Ya Balady Ya Wad. S: Ahmed Adaweya.
Maqam: hijaz
Ya Della ya Della (Oh flirt oh flirt). S: Sabah.
Maqam: rast

Video Link.
Ya Elbi Meen (Oh heart who). C: Salah Sharnoubi. S: George Wasouf.
Maqam: bayat
Ya Gamil, Ya Gamil (Oh beautiful one). C/S: Farid al Atrash.
Maqam: hijaz

Video link 1. Video link 2.

Beautiful Dancer
Nothing looks like you
Not even in a dream
I believe those who said
She is like a deer
Beautiful Dancer
Nothing looks like you

Why is the world pretty and sweet ?
When you are with me ?
Why do you make the heart joyful ?
Forgetting my problems

You ask me why ? I don’t know
What is the secret ? I don’t understand

Generosity and protection from the lifetime
Beautiful Dancer
Nothing looks like you
Not even in a dream
I believe those who said
She is like a deer

Why does my heart sing when I see you in my eyes ?
And the dream sings around me and revives me
Your looks entice me
Longing for you make me choose

Why do all the flowers love you ?
And the birds and the people
Because of kindness in your heart or feelings

Ya Habaybi Ghaybin (My absent belowed one). C/S: Farid al Atrash.
Maqam: bayat

Video link 1. Video link 2.

Oh my absent loved ones
I miss you Oh dearest friends
If only when I close and open my eyes
I will find you coming back
Coming back O my loved ones
O my loved ones,since the day we separated
Nothing in the whole world make us happy
No roses adorn our house
And not even a candle lights our festival

Oh my loved ones I would sacrifice my days for you
Even if the joy forgets me I will not forget you
I swear to God not just once but twice
That every single day and night
Every single day and night I will be waiting for you

Oh my loved ones I have missed you .
Come back! Come back!
The place of yours has not changed yet
I am still waiting Oh loved ones
Oh my absent loved ones
If I close and open my eyes
I will meet you coming back
Coming back O my loved ones

My life has been very sad because of you
And the days have been harder than the nights
I have suffered every wound of distance
And I will suffer every pain of the longing

Oh my loved ones! You are life to my heart
How can that all happen to my heart?
Will I meet all the people around me
Except my dearest loved ones?

Oh my loved ones I have missed you.
Come back! Come back!
he place of yours has not changed yet
I am still waiting Oh loved ones
Oh my absent loved ones
If I close and open my eyes
I will meet you coming back
Coming back O my loved ones

Ya Hbayyeb Ma Ansak. C: Fathi Al Jarrah. S: Shadi Jamil.
Maqam: nahawand
Ya Leily Ya Basha (Oh night oh pasha). C: Hasan Abu Sou-oud. S: Ahmed Adaweya.
Maqam: bayat

Video link. Video link 2.
Ya Magnoun (Oh madman). S: Assala Nasri.
Maqam: hijaz

Video link.

Oh madman, I am not Layla
And not even in your love’s breeze Layla
What do you want me to say: I love you?
I love you, but I am not saying, Oh madman.

One hour you complain to the sky
And one hour you talk to the night
But my heart witness misery
Oh how many times it witnessed misery
Oh you, oh madman.

You are causing a problem.
You are still undecided (uncommitted)
But my heart has already decided.
Yes, my heart has chosen, oh madman.

Oh madman, I am not Layla
And not even in your love’s breeze Layla
What do you want me to say: I love you?
I love you, but I am not saying, Oh madman.

Ya Msafir Wahdak (Oh, traveler). C/S: Mohamed Abdel Wahab.
Maqam: nahawand

Video link. Video link 2.

The song was written for the the Egyyptian movie, Love is Banned (1942). The music was composed by Mohamed Abdel Wahab who also sang the song in the movie. The lyrics were written by Hussein Sayed.

http://lyricstranslate.com/en/Ya-Msafer-Wahdek-Oh-Traveler.html#ixzz40XWzxGkZ

Oh lone traveler passing me
Why are you leaving me and preoccupying me
You said good by with barely a “salaam”
I’m giving you my heart
These eyes of mine’s tears speak

Oh lone traveler passing me
In the fire of desire I will wait
And be patient with my heart and hope
Though you don’t come to me I am happy
Make me desirous in your presence and promise me
I’m afraid that the estrangment might be sweet for you
And that the distance changes your conditions
May I always be on your mind

Oh lone traveler passing me
No matter how long the distance between us
My heart will never change
I will remember you more
But first you must keep thinking of me

Ya Rayeh (Departing traveler / lost one). C/S: Dahman El Harrachi.
Maqam: kord

Video link.

Oh traveler, where are you traveling to?
Haven’t you noticed how the poor people
Have regretted this decision before you and I did?

Or did you just compare between your empty desert
Of your home country with developed places?
How much time did you waste
And how much you’re still wasting?
Oh traveler who lives in other people’s land
You’re troubling yourself, and you’ll get exhausted
Do you have the strong will, or you just don’t know?

Oh traveler, where are you traveling to?
Haven’t you noticed how the poor people
Have regretted this decision before you and I did?

Why is your heart so sad? Why is that?
Or is it because this is the only choice for the poor?
Your patience probably won’t last
And if you spend more time (away) and discovered that, write me
Days do not last, and my youth and yours won’t last either
Poor is the person who was disappointed
Like he/she lost in throwing the dice and was not lucky.

Oh traveler, where are you traveling to?
Haven’t you noticed how the poor people
Have regretted this decision before you and I did?

Oh traveler, I’ll give you an advice, take it quickly
See what is good for you before you buy and sell (before you decide)
Oh you (foolish) sleeper I was told what has happened to you
What happened to you has happened to me before
That was the will of God, praise be to Him.

Ya Tayyeb el Galb (Oh good hearted one). S: Abdul Majeed Abdulla.
Maqam: kord

Video link 1. Video link 2.
Yamm El Mahrama. C: Fathi Al Jarrah. S: Shadi Jamil.
Maqam: bayat
Yamsaharny (Because of you, I cannot sleep). C: Sayed Mekkawi. S: Oum Khalthoum.
Maqam: rast

Video link.

It never crossed your mind to ask about me
And my eyes have had no sleep oh you who keeps me up
My heart only asks about how you are
And tells me I didn’t cross your mind
Where is the hope of the richness of your love
And where is the affection of your heart for me
And were is the sweetness of your closeness
Where is the love and longing
Oh you who forgets me while you are on my mind
And your specter does not leave my sight
Comfort me and empathize for my situation
And relieve me of all my worries
Sleep does not smile upon my eye
And I never cross your mind
Ask about oh you who keeps me up

Ask about the one who has passed the night between hope and memory
And assuages her worried heart and tells it we’ll meet tomorrow
And tomorrow passes and the day after passes with not a word or a message
How many days are in a lifetime
While you absence extends upon me

Oh you who deprives my eyes of sleep
My thoughts are restless with you
Patience is not in my hands
And desire takes me to the sea of your love
I say to my soul what is my crime?
My heart tells me your dream of me
He’s bound to care about us tomorrow
And why do we remain abandoned

Come let the night breeze spread the wings of desire
The abandonment has been long
And my patience is short
And my life’s days are passing
The days have been long

Come to me immediately
I have something I want tell you
I have something to say
And there is passion in my heart
There is passion in my heart that I will describe to you
And we’ll live days that don’t even exist in dreams

Yanna Yanna (Oh Poor me – or Oh me oh my). C: Baligh Hamdi. S: Sabah.
Maqam: rast

Video link 1. Video link 2.

singer: Sabah; composer: baligh hamdi
Sabah was a famous Lebanese singer who lived in both Lebanon and Egypt.  She married Roshdi Abaza, a famous Egyptian actor.  For their marriage she wrote this song for him describing her love for him and happiness in marrying him.  (But the couple was only married for a week.  Previously, Abaza married Samia Gamal, the famous Egyptian belly dancer.  When Abaza proposed to Sabah, he told her that he was divorced.  After one week of marriage, Sabah discovered that Abaza had lied to her and that he was still married to Samia Gamal.)

I’m dying for my darling
I’m dying for my darling
And I’m dying in my flames and torment for my darling
And my darling is unaware of me
I’m dying because of him
Oh me oh my oh you who is tiring me
Oh me oh my oh you who is leaving me awake and tormented
And staying up diverts me
If it’s true you are unaware of me how come you keep looking at me from the corner of your eye
And when our eyes meet, my beauty
I feel sorry for you my dear
wherever you go, you will feel my fire
and the only thing that can help you are my eyes.
I feel sorry for you my dear.
Are you scared to look into my eyes?
Are you scared that my love will take you?
Are you scared to drown in the sea of my eyes alone?
No dear, I am with you, my love.
I will force you to love me.
It is your fault that I am in love with you
and because of that, I am dying for my darling.

Z

Zay al Asal (Like honey). C: Baligh Hamdi. S: Sabah.
Maqam: bayat

Video link 1. Video link 2.

I’ve met many. For me they spread silk on the floor
And I’ve seen many. But haven’t seen a prince like my baby
I don’t wantm I don’t want any other but him, I don’t want
It’s pointless… It’s pointless if it were any other but him, it’s pointless
From a distance I love him… close by I love him
His love comes over my heart just like honey
Since we were young we were building our life together
From our love the birds learned from us, a love like ours
As we grew our love grew, no one on Earth could
separate us not even for a night.. that is our story, a long story
From a distance I love him… close by I love him
His love comes over my heart just like honey

Zeina (Beautiful/pleasant lady). C: Mohamed Abdel Wahab.
Maqam: hijaz

Video link.

Oh Zeina, my God, oh Zeina (repeated).

Zay El Hawa (It feels like love). C: Baligh Hamdi. S: Abdel Halim Hafez.
Maqam: bayat

Video link 1. Video link 2. Video link 3.

It feels like love, my darling, It feels like love.
And I just can’t take it, my darling. I can’t take it.
And you took me by the hand, my darling and we walked,
Under the moon, we sang, and stayed up and talked.
And in the midst of our words, The words stopped
So no wonder, I’m holding on to love with my hands.
And I just can’t take it, my darling. I can’t take it, my darling.
And you took me and we walked, and joy embraced us,
And we forgot, my darling, who you are and who I am.
I felt like our love, would live a million years.
And when you were with me, the world was in my hands.
I ordered my love to tell you that I’m yours.
And in the midst of our words, The words stopped
So no wonder, I’m holding on to love with my hands.
And I just can’t take it, my darling. I can’t take it, my darling.
Afraid, I walked while afraid,
My hand in yours and I’m afraid.
Afraid for my heart’s joy,
Afraid for my passion and love.
And how many times did I tell you?
When we were in the midst of joy?
I told you, oh my darling.
I can neither stand this joy,
Nor the beauty of this joy.
I’m afraid that one day,
I won’t find you in my hands.
You’ll go and be away from me.
And then you told me, my darling.
“You have made my world whole”
And in the midst of our words, The words stopped
So no wonder, I’m holding on to love with my hands.
And I just can’t take it, my darling. I can’t take it, my darling.
And you took me, my darling. And then you flew, you flew.
Then you passed me by, my darling. And my heart was lost, lost.
And you said you’d return. The next day you’d return.
And I kept waiting with all hope.
Filling the house with flowers, passion, love and songs.
And lighted candles, and the most beautiful words ready.
They were ready, for you my darling, when you came.
We responded with the beautiful song together.
And we melted with the candle’s wax, we melted together.
And we tasted the beauty of love, we tasted it together.
And all at once I found you, my darling, oh my darling like a tornado…
You threw away the flowers, and put out the candles, my darling.
And the beautiful song became filled with tears oh my darling.
And in the midst of hope, I lost all hope.
So no wonder, I’m holding on to love with my hands.
And I just can’t take it, my darling. I can’t take it, my darling.