George Wassouf started singing very young at the age of 10 years old in his hometown Kafroun that consequent to Mashta Al Helou in Tartous, Syria on different occasions such as marriages, parties, hotels, etc. Shortly thereafter he moved to Lebanon where he started singing and his popularity grew. It was at the age of 16 years old when he became known as "Sultan El-Tarab" as called by the famous international Actor Omar Sharif, Arabic for "The Sultan of Singing", with his classic song "el-Hawa Sultan".
People at that time thought of him as being the only one who could provide tarab with his magical and crystal voice that was very sharp and high-pitched when he was young and matured into the deep, commanding voice that he is now known for. A few of his first songs include "Hawa Sultan", "Rohi ya Nesmah", "Helif el-Amar", "Law Naweit" are the ones that really brought him up to fame.
The family name "Wassouf" is first of all the name of a statue God that was worshipped in the middle ages (around 1500 b.c.). Wassouf's magical voice was discovered by his first manager and producer "George Al-Khouri". This happened when Wassouf was 12 years old - he was singing at a wedding party. George Wassouf also got married very young at the age of 21 to Shalimar, who is originally from Sierra Leone. They have three children: Wadee', Hatem, and George Jr. His oldest son's name is Wadee', which is why he is known as Abu Wadee'.
George Wassouf has produced more than 30 albums and has performed concerts all around the world. Started from the famous Lebanese show which fired the fame of many Lebanese singers "Studio El Fan" 1980 when he was only 16 years old, surprisingly he was called at this time "Sultan of Tarab". The Song "Hilef il Amar" made a massive hit in the Arab world, although Wassouf was quite young at that time. However Wassouf was able to rise to the rank of "king" of Arab Tarab. Many Singers are jealous of wassouf , and that's why they try to copy his unique style and performance. Some of the younger singers who attempt to copy his style are George al-Rassi and Wael Jassar. Wassouf is one of the few singers that were able to attract millions of fans in a short period of time. In addition, Wassouf is not only famous in the Arab World but is also known in Europe and the States as one of the Best Arabian Singers.
According to his life and his fame he should have been called also "The King of Rumors" as he lived a life that was filled with rumors about his love life, his health and so on that it was told once earlier in 2001 that he died of an overdose.
He doesn't like to shoot his songs into video clips although he had some successful hits in the early 1990s, he used to say about this: "I don't feel I can act ... I really can't... I only find myself when I'm on the stage ... singing, but the video clip forces me to act".
On June 2002 , Sultan Al Tarab Released his new album "Salaf Wi Dein", which made a huge success in both the Arab world and abroad.
Targahali
George Wassouf Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
ليلة وداعِك بِكْيِت النّايـات
و غنّت معي عَلَحِنْ يـَـا ويْلِي
و رايْحـة ويَا جَوْعة الغَمْرَات
عَخَصِر لَفُّو الزّنبق شميْلِي
لَيلة و كاِنت آخِر السّهرات
قدّيْش فـيـهَا قِلتْ يـا ليْلِي
خدْلي لَيـالِي كِل عُمري وهـات
بعِد ليلة متِل هاللّيلة، ليْلة
"""""
ترغلّي يا ترغلّي
غلّي بضلوعي غلّي
ترغلّي يا ترغلّي
غلّي بضلوعي غلّي
و ان بدّك قلبي الغالي
و لو كنّو سعرُه غالي
و ان بدّك قلبي الغالي
و لو كنّو سعرُه غالي
منرخّص ما منغلّي، منرخّص ما ما منغلّي
ترغلّي يا ترغلّي
غلّي بضلوعي غلّي
و ان بدّك قلبي الغالي
و لو كنّو سعرُه غالي
منرخّص ما منغلّي، منرخّص ما منغلّي
"""""
ترغلّي غلّيلي بروحي
خلّيكي بقلبي لا تروحي
ترغلّي غلّيلي بروحي
خلّيكي بقلبي لا تروحي
طفّيلي النّار، ليل ويّا نهار
طفّيلي النّار
ليل ويّا نهار
و ان بدّك قلبي الغالي
و لو كنّو سعرُه غالي
و ان بدّك قلبي الغالي
و لو كنّو سعرُه غالي
منرخّص ما منغلّي، منرخّص ما ما منغلّي
ترغلّي يا ترغلّي
غلّي بضلوعي غلّي
و ان بدّك قلبي الغالي
و لو كنّو سعرُه غالي
منرخّص ما منغلّي، منرخّص ما منغلّي
"""""
حتكوني البلسم لجروحي
بالسّر الغالي لا تبوحي
حتكوني البلسم لجروحي
بالسّر الغالي لا تبوحي
و عليكي بغار، يا بنت الجار
أنا عليكي بغار
يا بنت الجار
و ان بدّك قلبي الغالي
و لو كنّو سعرُه غالي
و ان بدّها قلبي الغالي
و لو كنّو سعرُه غالي
منرخّص ما منغلّي، منرخّص ما ما منغلّي
ترغلّي يا ترغلّي
غلّي بضلوعي غلّي
ترغلّي يا ترغلّي
غلّي بضلوعي غلّي
و ان بدّك قلبي الغالي
و لو كنّو سعرُه غالي
و ان بدّك قلبي الغالي
و لو كنّو سعرُه غالي
منرخّص ما منغلّي، منرخّص ما منغلّي
In George Wassouf's song "Targahali," the lyrics depict a poignant farewell scene where the singer is bidding goodbye to a beloved. The imagery of tears and singing in sadness sets the emotional tone for the night of parting. The mention of the fragrance of lilies and the symbolism of their petals being crushed conveys a sense of beauty marred by the pain of separation. The singer reminisces about the night, acknowledging the weight of emotions that were expressed and the deep connection felt during those final moments together.
The chorus of the song, "Targahali ya Targahali, ghalli bi dalou'i ghalli," can be interpreted as a plea for the beloved to remain close to the singer's heart even after they are physically apart. The repetition of these lines underscores the intensity of the emotions being conveyed, emphasizing the desire for the beloved to stay intertwined with the singer's soul. The mention of the heart's value and the willingness to sacrifice and endure any price for love reflects a profound commitment and a readiness to overcome any obstacles for the sake of preserving the relationship.
Throughout the song, there is a recurring theme of longing and a plea for the beloved not to depart. The imagery of fire and day and night cycles symbolize the burning passion and the continuous yearning for the loved one's presence. The repetition of the verses expressing willingness to cherish and protect the relationship, regardless of the cost, highlights the depth of the singer's attachment and the unwavering devotion felt towards the beloved.
The lyrics further express the singer's hope that the beloved will be a healing balm for their wounds and the importance of keeping their secrets safe. The references to jealousy and the singer's possessive feelings convey a sense of protectiveness and a desire to keep the beloved close. The final repetition of the plea for the beloved to remain close and the acknowledgment of the heart's preciousness emphasize the enduring nature of love and the singer's willingness to endure any hardships for the sake of keeping the connection alive.
Line by Line Meaning
ليلة وداعِك بِكْيِت النّايـات
On the night of your farewell, I cried tears of lament
و غنّت معي عَلَحِنْ يـَـا ويْلِي
And sang with me a melody of sorrow, oh woe is me
و رايْحـة ويَا جَوْعة الغَمْرَات
The scent of flowers and the hunger of tragedies
عَخَصِر لَفُّو الزّنبق شميْلِي
The essence of the lily's bloom enchanted me
لَيلة و كاِنت آخِر السّهرات
Night, being the last of the festivities
قدّيْش فـيـهَا قِلتْ يـا ليْلِي
How much in it did I beseech, oh night
خدْلي لَيـالِي كِل عُمري وهـات
Grant me nights from my whole life and bring them forth
بعِد ليلة متِل هالليلة، ليْلة
After a night like this night, a night
ترغلّي يا ترغلّي
Beseech me, oh beseech me
غلّي بضلوعي غلّي
Burn within my ribs, burn
و ان بدّك قلبي الغالي
If you want my precious heart
و لو كنّو سعرُه غالي
Even if its price is high
منرخّص ما منغلّي، منرخّص ما ما منغلّي
We don't haggle, we don't haggle it
ترغلّي غلّيلي بروحي
Beseech me dear to my soul
خلّيكي بقلبي لا تروحي
Stay in my heart, do not depart
طفّيلي النّار، ليل ويّا نهار
Extinguish the fire, night and day
حتكوني البلسم لجروحي
You will be the balm for my wounds
بالسّر الغالي لا تبوحي
With the precious secret, do not reveal
و عليكي بغار، يا بنت الجار
I am jealous of you, oh neighbor's daughter
Writer(s): Chafiq Elmaghrebi, Georges Yezbeck
Contributed by Brooklyn S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Hoda
on Garahouna
Besides the explanation given above to which i'm not so inclined, this is obviously a love song, meaning that a loving person sings to his careless, unkind lover. The first line says so: the lover hurt the poet with her eyelashes. This is a common metaphor in persian/arab poetry. It simultanously appreciates the beautiful lashes of lover and complains how this beauty along with unkindness hurts him deeply.
As you see, this implication is basically related to the literary context and culture.