He was born in Aleppo, Syria, and after living for a time in Beirut moved to Paris at the age of 22 where he studied Western classical music. While there he translated classical poetry, such as the Sumerian Epic of Gilgamesh, into French. He has stated that he prefers to live in the West, saying in a 2000 interview that he has an "inability to work in the Arab countries, in which the way people live is still conditioned by halal and haram. Here I can produce contemporary art, I can work in freedom, and there is 'motion' around what I produce: journalism, concerts, programme…Nobody tells me to write a song for a specific political occasion."
His music has been featured in the films Al Leja, directed by Ryad Chaia, and Elia Suleiman's Chronicle of a Disappearance, also he participated in Deep Forest's album Comparsa.
Singer-songwriter Jeff Buckley was a fan of Azrie's music, and the two once had dinner.
-Discography
* 1971: Le chant nouveau des poètes Arabes
* 1974: Wajd
* 1977: L'épopée de Gilgamesh
* 1979: Les Soufis
* 1985: Chants de l'arbre oriental
* 1989: Pour enfants seulement
* 1990: Aromates
* 1994: Suerte
* 1995: Lapis Lazuli
* 1998: Suerte Live
* 1999: Pour enfants seulement
* 1999: Omar Khayyam
* 2001: Venessia
* 2007: Chants d'amour et d'ivresse
* 2008: Mystique
* 2009: L'évangile selon Jean
la lutte
Abed Azrié Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
He came up to Gilgamesh and they met.
Enkidu put out his foot to block the door to prevent him from entering.
They grappled each other, holding each other like bulls.
They sported like bulls locked together.
They shattered the door posts
and the walls shook.
Gilgamesh bent his knee with his foot planted on the ground,
And with a turn, Enkidu was thrown.
Then immediately his fury died.
When Enkidu was thrown, he said to Gilgamesh:
“Yes, there is not another like you in the world,
Ninsun who is as strong as a wild ox in the byre,
Was the mother who bore you.
And now you are raised above all men,
And Enlil has given you the kingship,
For your strength surpasses the strength of men!”
In Abed Azrié's song "La lutte," the lyrics depict a powerful and intense physical battle between two individuals, Enkidu and Gilgamesh. The scene unfolds with Enkidu thrusting himself at Gilgamesh in a square, symbolizing a confrontation and challenge between the two warriors. As they meet and grapple with each other, the description of their intense physical struggle is likened to bulls locked in combat. The imagery of them breaking door posts and shaking walls signifies both the strength and ferocity of their fight.
The display of physical prowess and determination in their struggle is evident as they clash in a fierce battle, with each trying to overpower the other. Despite the intensity of their fight, there is a moment of realization and acknowledgment between them as Gilgamesh manages to throw Enkidu to the ground. Enkidu's response to being thrown conveys a sense of respect and admiration for Gilgamesh's unmatched strength and ability, acknowledging him as a formidable opponent.
The lyrics also touch upon themes of destiny and power, with references to Ninsun, Gilgamesh's mother, being as strong as a wild ox and Enkidu recognizing that Gilgamesh has been raised above all men and granted kingship by Enlil. This acknowledgement of Gilgamesh's superiority and divine favor highlights the significance of their encounter and the impact it has on their respective destinies.
Overall, through vivid imagery and powerful symbolism, the lyrics of "La lutte" by Abed Azrié capture the raw emotions and complexities of the physical battle between Enkidu and Gilgamesh, as well as the deeper themes of strength, destiny, and the shifting dynamics of power between these two legendary figures.
Line by Line Meaning
He came up to Gilgamesh and they met.
Enkidu approached Gilgamesh and the two came face to face.
Enkidu put out his foot to block the door to prevent him from entering.
Enkidu used his foot to block the door, stopping Gilgamesh from entering.
They grappled each other, holding each other like bulls.
They wrestled, holding onto each other like bulls do in a fight.
They broke the door posts and the wall.
Their struggle led to breaking the door posts and damaging the wall.
They sported like bulls locked together.
They frolicked in a physical struggle similar to how bulls behave when locked in combat.
They shattered the door posts and the walls shook.
The force of their fight caused the door posts to shatter and the walls to tremble.
Gilgamesh bent his knee with his foot planted on the ground.
Gilgamesh bent his knee, firmly planting his foot on the ground.
And with a turn, Enkidu was thrown.
And with a swift move, Enkidu was thrown to the ground.
Then immediately his fury died.
His anger quickly subsided.
When Enkidu was thrown, he said to Gilgamesh:
After being thrown, Enkidu spoke to Gilgamesh.
Yes, there is not another like you in the world.
There is no one else in the world quite like you.
Ninsun who is as strong as a wild ox in the byre, Was the mother who bore you.
Your mother, Ninsun, is as powerful as a wild ox and she gave birth to you.
And now you are raised above all men, And Enlil has given you the kingship, For your strength surpasses the strength of men!
You are now elevated above all other men, Enlil has granted you kingship because your strength is unmatched by any other.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Abed Azrié
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind