Fairuz نهاد حداد‎ (b. 21 November 1935) is a Lebanese singer, and one of th… Read Full Bio ↴Fairuz نهاد حداد‎ (b. 21 November 1935) is a Lebanese singer, and one of the most famous singers of all time in the Arab world. Her stage name (also spelled Fairouz or Fayrouz) literally means "turquoise".

Fairuz was born Nouhad Haddad in Jabal al Arz, Lebanon. She began her musical career as a teenager. From chorus girl at the Lebanese radio station in the late 1940s, to critical and popular acclaim from the 1950s to today, Fairuz is acknowledged not only for her musical talent and contribution, but also as a cultural and political icon. A symbol of a people, a heritage, a quest for peace, and of humanity. During most of her career, Fairuz reflected two other great artists, Assi and Mansour Rahbani. They wrote the lyrics and composed her tunes. Today, many of her songs reflect the composing talent of Ziad Rahbani who is Fairuz's son. Her songs testify to the Rahbani musical genius, as well as to Fairuz's broad musical background. Referred to as "The Soul of Lebanon" in the 1970s, Fairuz became a pre-eminent figure, a superstar of current music in the Arab world. Together, the Rahbani family is both a school of music and a cultural phenomenon.

Ma Kedert Neseet
Fairuz Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

زعلي طول انا وياك وسنين بقيت
جرب فيهن انا انساك ما قدرت نسيت
زعلي طول انا وياك وسنين بقيت
جرب فيهن انا انساك ما قدرت نسيت
لو جيت نهار عبيتي لقيت
انك حبيبي بغيابي جيت
لو جيت نهار عبيتي لقيت
انك حبيبي بغيابي جيت

بتشوفن ما مرقو الا ايديك على هالبيت
كأنك حبيبي انت وعينيك هلأ فليت
بتشوفن ما مرقو الا ايديك على هالبيت
كأنك حبيبيانت وعينيك هلء فليت
زعلي طول وسنين بقيت
جرب فيهن انا انساك ما قدرت نسيت
يا ريتك هون حبيبي وليل
ويكون نبيد وشمع الليل
ياريتك هون حبيبي وليل
ويكون نبيد وشمع الليل
و اكتبلك عورقة حتى ما قول ما بقدر قول
ياريتك مش رايح ياريتك تبقى تبقى عطول
بكتبلك عورقة حتى ما قول ما بقدر قول
ياريتك مش رايح يا ريتك تبقى تبقى عطول
زعلي طول انا وياك وسنين بقيت
جرب فيهن انا انساك ما قدرت نسيت

ما قدرت نسيت
ماقدرت نسيت

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Fairuz's "Ma Kedert Neseet" (I Couldn't Forget) express a sense of longing and disappointment in a past love that could not be forgotten despite efforts to do so over time. The repetition of the phrase "za'ali tool ana wiak wa sanin ba'it" (I've been upset with you for so long and for years now) emphasizes the duration and intensity of the pain caused by the past lover. Despite the attempts to forget, the singer admits "ma qadert neseet" (I couldn't forget) and describes how seeing the lover again brings back old feelings and memories, as if they never left. The line "k'anak habibi anta wa 3yinik halla fillet" (you are my love, and your eyes are still in this house) suggests that the singer still sees the lover everywhere, even in the house they shared together.

Line by Line Meaning

زعلي طول انا وياك وسنين بقيت
I have been sad for so long, with you and without you, for years.

جرب فيهن انا انساك ما قدرت نسيت
I have tried so hard to forget you, but I couldn't.

لو جيت نهار عبيتي لقيت انك حبيبي بغيابي جيت
If you came one day and found me gone, you would realize that you were my beloved, and you came to me in your absence.

بتشوفن ما مرقو الا ايديك على هالبيت كأنك حبيبي انت وعينيك هلأ فليت
You will see that no one passed by this house except you, my love, and your eyes are shining now.

زعلي طول وسنين بقيت جرب فيهن انا انساك ما قدرت نسيت
I've been sad for so long, for years, I've tried to forget you, but I couldn't.

يا ريتك هون حبيبي وليل ويكون نبيد وشمع الليل
I wish you were here with me, my love, and the night is our company like a candle in the night.

و اكتبلك عورقة حتى ما قول ما بقدر قول
I will write you a letter until I can say what I can't say in person.

ياريتك مش رايح ياريتك تبقى تبقى عطول
I wish you weren't leaving, I wish you would stay forever.

ما قدرت نسيت
I couldn't forget.

Contributed by Chloe B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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