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.

Shat Eskendereya
Fairuz Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

شط اسكندرية يا شط الهوى
رحنا اسكندرية رمانا الهوى
يا دنيا هنية وليالي راضية
أحملها بعينيه شط اسكندرية

شط اسكندرية ياشط الهوى
رحنا اسكندرية رمانا الهوى
يا دنيا هنية وليالي راضية

أحملها بعينيه شط اسكندرية

البحر ورياحو والفلك الغريب
يحملها جراحو ويرحل في المغيب
البحر ورياحو والفلك الغريب
يحملها جراحو ويرحل في المغيب

يتمهل شوية ويتودع شوية
وتعانق المية شط اسكندرية

شط اسكندرية ياشط الهوى
رحنا اسكندرية رمانا الهوى
يادنيا هنيه هنيه وليالي راضية راضية
احملها بعينيه شط اسكندرية

ليالي مشيتك يا شط الغرام
وإن انا نسيتك ينساني المنام
ليالي مشيتك يا شط الغرام
وان انا نسيتك ينساني المنام

والشاهد عليه غنوة أمارية
والنسمة البحرية وشط إسكندرية

شط اسكندرية ياشط الهوى
رحنا اسكندرية رمانا الهوى
يادنيا هنيه وليالي رضية آه
احملها بعينيه شط اسكندرية

شط اسكندرية ياشط الهوى
شط اسكندرية
شط اسكندرية ياشط الهوى
شط اسكندرية

شط اسكندرية ياشط الهوى
شط اسكندرية

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Fairuz’s song Shat Eskendereya are a tribute to the beautiful city of Alexandria in Egypt, which is regarded as the “pearl of the Mediterranean.” The first verse of the song speaks of the city’s charm and its ability to captivate the hearts of its visitors. The singer and their lover have both been to Alexandria and have fallen in love with the city. They describe the city as having happy days and contented nights, which they carry with them in their eyes.

The second verse of the song speaks of the sea and its mysteries. The ships and the winds that carry them are described as nomads who journey across the sea, bearing their wounds and leaving at sunset. The sea is a constant in Alexandria, with the singer noting how the water embraces the city.

The chorus of the song repeats the words “Shat Eskendereya” to describe the sea that surrounds Alexandria. The singer declares their love for Alexandria, and for the happy days and contented nights that the city provides. The song ends with a call to the city, asking it to stay in their heart.

Line by Line Meaning

شط اسكندرية يا شط الهوى
Alexandria coast, the coast of love

رحنا اسكندرية رمانا الهوى
We went to Alexandria, throwing ourselves into love

يا دنيا هنية وليالي راضية
Happy world and contented nights

أحملها بعينيه شط اسكندرية
He carries it in his eyes, the coast of Alexandria

البحر ورياحو والفلك الغريب
The sea, its winds, and the stranger's ship

يحملها جراحو ويرحل في المغيب
It carries its wounds and departs into the unknown

يتمهل شوية ويتودع شوية
It takes its time and says goodbye bit by bit

وتعانق المية شط اسكندرية
And embraces the water, the coast of Alexandria

ليالي مشيتك يا شط الغرام
Nights of walking, oh coast of love

وإن انا نسيتك ينساني المنام
And if I forget you, dreams will make me forget

والشاهد عليه غنوة أمارية
And the witness is a majestic melody