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.
Sobhil Jiz
Fairuz Lyrics
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رفيقي صبحي الجيز، حط المكنسة وراح
رفيقي صبحي الجيز، تركني عالأرض وراح
رفيقي صبحي الجيز، حط المكنسة وراح، راح
ما قلي شو بقدر أعمل لملايين المساكين
رفيقي صبحي الجيز، تركني عالأرض وراح
رفيقي صبحي الجيز، حط المكنسة وراح، راح
رفيق يا رفيق، وينك يا رفيق
رفيق يا رفيق، وينك يا رفيق
حملتني إشيا كتيري حجار وغبرة وصناديق
غيرتلي إسمي الماضي عملتلي إسمي رفيق
رفيق يا رفيق وينك يا رفيق
حملتني إشيا كتيري حجار وغبرة وصناديق
غيرتلي إسمي الماضي عملتلي إسمي رفيق
رفيق وما عندي رفيق ورح يبقى إسمي رفيق
عم فتش عواحد غيرك، عم فتش عواحد متلك يمشي
يمشي بمشي
نمشي ومنكفي الطريق
نمشي ومنكفي الطريق
نمشي ومنكفي الطريق
نمشي ومنكفي الطريق
نمشي ومنكفي الطريق
نمشي ومنكفي الطريق
نمشي ومنكفي الطريق
نمشي ومنكفي الطريق
نمشي ومنكفي الطريق
نمشي ومنكفي الطريق، يا رفيق
The lyrics to Fairuz's song Sobhil Jiz describe the longing for a friend who has left, the feeling of being abandoned and directionless. The title Sobhil Jiz can be translated to a "cleaner or sweeper of Jezzine," which is a small town in Lebanon. The reference to the cleaner may symbolize the mundane and unfulfilling aspects of life.
The repetition of "رفيقي صبحي الجيز" (Rafiqi sabhi al-Jiz) creates a sense of loss and repetition, emphasizing the singer's feeling of being left behind. The verses also express a sense of helplessness in the face of poverty and social injustice: "ma ʿalli shu b'qadar aʿmél l'milyoun al-masakin," which translates to "I don't know what to do for millions of poor people." Despite this, the singer continues to search for companionship and comfort, as evidenced by the line "نمشي ومنكفي الطريق" (nemshī wmenkafī ettariq), which translates to "We walk and stay on the road," a hopeful sentiment in the face of adversity.
The chorus, "rafīq yā rafīq, waynak yā rafīq," translates to "companion, oh companion, where are you, oh companion?" This line is a plea for companionship, emphasizing the singer's feeling of loneliness and isolation.
Overall, the song Sobhil Jiz is a poignant reflection on loss, longing, and the search for connection in the face of adversity.
Line by Line Meaning
رفيقي صبحي الجيز، تركني عالأرض وراح
My friend Sobhil Jiz, left me on the ground and went away
رفيقي صبحي الجيز، حط المكنسة وراح
My friend Sobhil Jiz, put down the broom and went away
ما قلي شو بقدر أعمل لملايين المساكين
I don't know what I can do for the millions of poor people
رفيق يا رفيق، وينك يا رفيق
Companion, oh companion, where are you, companion?
حملتني إشيا كتيري حجار وغبرة وصناديق
Many things have burdened me, like rocks, dust, and boxes
غيرتلي إسمي الماضي عملتلي إسمي رفيق
It changed my past name and gave me the name companion
رفيق وما عندي رفيق ورح يبقى إسمي رفيق
Companion, and I don't have any other companion, and my name will remain companion
عم فتش عواحد غيرك، عم فتش عواحد متلك يمشي
I'm searching for someone other than you, I'm searching for someone like you walking
نمشي ومنكفي الطريق
We walk and pause on the road
Writer(s): Ziad Rahbani
Contributed by Ella L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
E Khalil
on Rajioun
These are the lyrics in English to a different song by Fairouz, called Sanarijou. These are not the lyrics to Rajioun
AYOUB
on Dakhlak Ya Tayr Waarwaar
wrong intruna