Born on 10th July 1929 in the Egyptian village of Toshka, near Wadi Halfa, he originally trained to be an electrical engineer. El Din changed direction and began to study music at the Cairo University, continuing his studies at the Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia in Rome. His performances attracted the attention of the Grateful Dead, Joan Baez, and Bob Dylan in the 1960s, which led to a recording contract and to his eventual emigration to the United States. Like much of Egyptian Nubia, his home village of Toshka was flooded due to the construction of the Aswan High Dam in the 1960s, creating in El Din a drive to preserve and promote his culture.
His 1968 recording Escalay: the Water Wheel was claimed as an influence by some American minimalist composers, such as Steve Reich and Terry Riley. He performed with the Kronos Quartet.
El Din held a number of teaching positions in the United States during the 1980s and 1990s, eventually settling in the San Francisco Bay Area. He died on 22nd May 2006 at the age of seventy-six, after complications following surgery for a gallbladder infection at a hospital in Berkeley, California. He is survived by his wife, Nabra.
* Official site
Greetings
Hamza El Din Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
لا سلام لا جواب يا اعز حبيب
ايه الاسباب عن عينى تغيب
لا سلام لا جواب يا اعز حبيب
ايه الاسباب عن عينى تغيب
كتير كتير سألت عليك رسّلت وجيت علشان الاقيك
يا شاغل بالي، سهر الليالي والشوق يا غالي
هم دالي الحب وفادي الشوق قلبي وهناي
كيف اراضيك انا يا مناي وين ألاقيك انا يا هناي
كيف اراضيك انا يا هناي وين ألاقيك انا يا هناي
لا سلام لا جواب يا اعز حبيب
ايه الاسباب عن عينى تغيب
لا سلام لا جواب يا اعز حبيب
ايه الاسباب عن عينى تغيب
كتير كتير سألت عليك رسّلت وجيت علشان الاقيك
كتير كتير سألت عليك رسّلت وجيت علشان الاقيك
يا شاغل بالي، سهر الليالي والشوق يا غالي
هم دالي الحب وفادي الشوق قلبي وهناي
كيف اراضيك انا يا هناي وين ألاقيك انا يا هناي
كيف اراضيك انا يا هناي كيف اراضيك انا يا هناي
كيف اراضيك انا يا مناي كيف اراضيك انا يا هناي
وين ألاقيك انا يا هناي كيف اراضيك انا يا هناي
The song "Greetings" by Hamza El Din begins with an Islamic phrase, "Bismillah al-Rahman al-Rahim," which translates to "In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful." The song then moves into a melancholic tone where the singer is expressing frustration about not being able to find his beloved one. The chorus "La Salam La Jawab Ya A'z Habib" repeats the phrase "no peace, no answer, oh dearest beloved" where the singer is pleading and questioning why his beloved is not answering him.
Throughout the song, the singer is expressing his love and longing for his beloved. He mentions that he has searched and sent messages, but still unable to find his beloved. The lyrics are filled with love and despair, where the singer is doing everything possible to find his beloved one. The phrase "Kef Aradik Ana Ya Manaee" translates to "how can I please you, oh my desire?" shows the singer's desperation to find his beloved and make everything right between them.
Overall, the song "Greetings" is a beautiful love ballad that expresses feelings of love, longing, and despair. The singer's voice is incredibly soulful, and the lyrics are exceptionally written, making the song a classic masterpiece.
Line by Line Meaning
لا سلام لا جواب يا اعز حبيب
My dearest love, why do you not answer me? I send you messages, but you remain silent. Where have you gone?
ايه الاسباب عن عينى تغيب
Why do you avoid meeting my gaze? What reasons are there for your absence?
كتير كتير سألت عليك رسّلت وجيت علشان الاقيك
I have searched for you tirelessly, sending messages and travelling far to find you.
يا شاغل بالي، سهر الليالي والشوق يا غالي
My thoughts are constantly consumed by you, my beloved. I stay up all night longing for you.
هم دالي الحب وفادي الشوق قلبي وهناي
Love and longing are my constant companions, weighing heavy on my heart.
كيف اراضيك انا يا هناي وين ألاقيك انا يا هناي
How can I please you, my hope, when I cannot even find you? Where shall I look?
كيف اراضيك انا يا هناي كيف اراضيك انا يا هناي
How can I win your heart, my beloved? How can I make you happy?
كيف اراضيك انا يا مناي كيف اراضيك انا يا هناي
How can I fulfill my desires, my hope? How can I satisfy my longing for you?
وين ألاقيك انا يا هناي كيف اراضيك انا يا هناي
Where can I find you, my hope? How can I win your heart, my beloved?
Contributed by Kylie V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@malunaoto
Dear Hani,
it's good to find you here. This is Naoto, I was making Tar for Hamza from 90s and playing with him in Japan. I met you when I flew over from Tokyo to see this 'A Wish' CD release concert in San Francisco. I remember your liberating appearance in music then. I told Hamza later 'he (Hani) is good!', then he nodded with smile and said 'yes'.
The concert was just so touching. Filled with welcoming and embracing feeling. I was so happy to see Hamza was very relaxing and feeling at home by his local community. He actually said to the audiences something like 'I was feeling I had no address for a long time, but seems like I have found one now.'
We had a nice dinner together after the gig, with Hamza, Nabra, you, Alaudin and Devi Mathieu,,, What a beautiful evening.
That was the very last time I met my friend Hamza.
Best wishes to you, Hani.
@HaniNaser
It was an honor to have played percussion on this album... May Hamza rest in peace...
@slimvictor
Are you serious? This album has meant so much to me... I have been listening to it for about 15 years, and I can never get tired of it, or Hamza's other albums, but this may be my favorite jewel in his treasure chest. Your music is part of this majesty, this incredible gift. Thank you!
@vendetta.2011
Thank you From nubian land
@galenhanlyhefferman8764
Thank you thank you thank you
@refatrabadi6656
I saw Hamza El din in Lincoln center during Arab music week. Back early 2000..maybe 2003...it was great.....I met him for a few minutes after the show signing autographs. . a quiet simple genius wise man..I will never forget the meeting to this day .he touched my soul..I love you Hamaz .RIP
@rosariourso2039
Bravo, your touch is so sweet and clear
@nasnous8064
Banger
@HaniNaser
I loved playing the percussion on this piece! Rest in peace Hamza...
@malunaoto
Dear Hani,
it's good to find you here. This is Naoto, I was making Tar for Hamza from 90s and playing with him in Japan. I met you when I flew over from Tokyo to see this 'A Wish' CD release concert in San Francisco. I remember your liberating appearance in music then. I told Hamza later 'he (Hani) is good!', then he nodded with smile and said 'yes'.
The concert was just so touching. Filled with welcoming and embracing feeling. I was so happy to see Hamza was very relaxing and feeling at home by his local community. He actually said to the audiences something like 'I was feeling I had no address for a long time, but seems like I have found one now.'
We had a nice dinner together after the gig, with Hamza, Nabra, you, Alaudin and Devi Mathieu,,, What a beautiful evening.
That was the very last time I met my friend Hamza.
Best wishes to you, Hani.
@Butterflycradle1
R.I.P. Hamza El Din =( A Salaam Alaikum. I'm so thankful for studying Middle Eastern and African music or I would've never discovered the Ud and its master Hamza El Din. For this I am thankful