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.

Yalla Tenam Reema
Fairuz Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

يالله تنام ريمــــــــا
يالله يجيها النـــوم
يالله تحب الصـلاة
يالله تحب الصـوم
يالله تجيها العوافي
كل يوم بيوم

يالله تنام يلاتنام

لاذبحلها طير الحمام
روح يا حمام لا تصدق
بضحك ع ريما لتنام
ريما ريما الحندقة
شعرك اشقر ومنقى
واللى حبك ببوسك
واللى بغضك شو بيترقى

يا بياع العنب والعنبية
قولوا لأمي وقولوا لبيي
خطفوني الغجر من تحت خيمة مجدلية

والتشتشي والتشتشي
والخوخ تحت المشمشة
كل ما هب الهــوا
لاقطف لريما مشمشة
هاي وهاي وهاي لينا
دستك لكنك عيرينا

تنغسل ثياب ريما
وننشرهن ع الياسمينة

Overall Meaning

Fairuz's song Yalla Tenam Reema speaks of a young girl named Reema and prayers for her well-being. The song begins with a plea to God for Reema to sleep peacefully, followed by requests that she loves praying and fasting. It continues on to ask for her good health and well-being each and every day. The chorus of the song repeats "Yalla Tenam, Yalla Yajeeha Alnawm" which translates to "Go to sleep, God bless your slumber."

The second verse begins with a light-hearted story of a pigeon trying to comfort Reema to sleep, and how it makes her laugh. The verse goes on to describe Reema's beauty, with her blonde hair and the kiss of her loved ones on her cheeks. It then contrasts her loving admirers with those who dislike her, insinuating that they may be jealous of her beauty.

The final verse of the song is a departure from the first two, as it tells a story of a young boy who is kidnapped by gypsies, leaving his parents distraught. The verse ends with a description of the fruit trees and the clothes that are being washed for Reema, to drape on the jasmine tree and dry. Overall, the song is a prayer for peaceful sleep and well-being for Reema, and a whimsical depiction of her beauty and those who adore and envy her.

Line by Line Meaning

يالله تنام ريما
Oh God, let Reema sleep

يالله يجيها النوم
Oh God, please let her fall asleep

يالله تحب الصلاة
Oh God, make her love prayer

يالله تحب الصوم
Oh God, make her love fasting

يالله تجيها العوافي
Oh God, bless her with good health

كل يوم بيوم
Every day, without fail

يالله تنام يلاتنام
Oh God, let her sleep deeply

لاذبحلها طير الحمام
Even if it takes sacrificing a pigeon

روح يا حمام لا تصدق
Go, pigeon, don't hesitate

بضحك ع ريما لتنام
I'll make Reema laugh to help her sleep

ريما ريما الحندقة
Reema, the flirtatious one