Despite Jowan Safadi’s (b. 1973) longstanding relationship with music, Palestinian cultural circles have only recently began to recognize the artist, who just released his first solo album, Namroud (Troublemaker).
His relocation to Bir al-Sabah (Beersheba) — where he set up the alternative rock band Lenzez with anti-Zionist Israeli musicians — was enough to keep this son of Nazareth in the shadows for some time.
“I never felt like my colleagues in the band were Israelis; they were leftists, and possessed a high level of political awareness. They refused to serve in the military and abhorred the occupation establishment,” Jowan told Al-Akhbar.
He released three albums in 10 years with Lenzez, before some political parties in Israel began marketing the band as a model for “coexistence,” as a PR stunt in international art and media forums.
At the time — around the bloody Israeli invasion of Jenin — Jowan decided to step up his political songs, which gave the band an “extremist” reputation among Israelis.
“It was the beginning of an awakening that helped me re-establish reality in my head, especially with my increasing political awareness,” Jowan explained.
For this reason, he left Bir al-Sabah for Haifa, where he established a new band with Palestinian artists.
While participating in a street festival in Haifa, his performance was stopped midway through because of the songs being too “controversial, as they shed light on racism, refugee conditions, and political prisoners, and is also hard for the Jewish audience,” according to what Haifa municipal officials told him.
He released three albums in 10 years with Lenzez, before some political parties in Israel began marketing the band as a model for “coexistence.”
An investigation into the matter was opened by right-wing Knesset member Aryeh Eldad, accusing Jowan of “inciting violence and terrorism,” only to be closed two months later for lack of evidence.
Jowan chose to play the guitar because it is “strong, expressive, has multiple potentials, and is the most suitable for the type of singing and music I offer,” he said.
He didn’t pick western music on purpose. “It was only a step I took without thinking,” he remarked.
Namroud rebels against reality and ready-made molds.
The idea for the album began with a sentence Jowan wrote on his Facebook page, “I think, therefore I rebel.”
He began by writing songs on “normal” daily life and social issues, describing love, country, religion, faith, sex, joy, and pain, approaching the issues with satire.
Many concerns surround the daring young musician, “but I will not allow them to impede my journey and prevent me from saying what I believe,” he insisted.
Sometimes, he feels “like he’s yelling ‘the king has no clothes on,’ expecting a slap from the entourage.”
Jowan Safadi has received many threats and frequent insults, but maintains that he will continue his journey, breaking all barriers and taboos.
Tayran Ababil
Jowan Safadi Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
ياربي ودي طير الابابيل
ترمي الظالمين بحجارة من سجين
شوف شو عملو فينا
بني اسرائيل
شوف شو عملو فينا
بني اسرائيل
فهمنا شو بيفرقو عن اصحاب الفيل
يا قدير
فرجينا انو مش عاجبك شو اللي عم بيصير
يا ربي
يا جبار
انقذنا من
شعبك المختار
يا نار كوني
بردا و سلاما
يا نار كوني
بردا وسلاما
يا نار كوني بردا وسلاما علينا
يا نار احرقي
من ارسلكي
يا نار احرقي
من ارسلكي
يا نار احرقي من ارسلكي الينا
يا ربي
يا جبار
برد لنا
ألسنة النار
يا ربي
يا جبار
انقذنا من
اسلحة الدمار
انقذنا
انقذنا (شوف شو عملو فينا)
انقذنا
(شوف شو عملو فينا)
انقذنا
(شوف شو عملو فينا)
In Jowan Safadi's song "Tayran Ababil," the artist addresses God, asking Him to send the "birds of Ababil" to throw stones at the oppressors who have harmed his people, the Palestinians. The Ababil bird refers to a bird mentioned in the Quran that was sent by God to throw stones at an army that threatened the Kaaba, a holy site in Islam. Safadi draws parallels between the story of the Ababil bird and the Palestinian struggle, calling on God to intervene and protect his people from those who seek to harm them.
Throughout the song, Safadi calls on God to show him that He does not approve of the violence and injustice happening to the Palestinian people. He also asks for God's protection from the "chosen people," a reference to the Israeli people whom he believes have inflicted harm on the Palestinians. The artist also speaks directly to the fire, asking it to bring peace and coolness to his people, and to burn the weapons used against them.
The lyrics of "Tayran Ababil" are a passionate plea for justice and peace in the midst of turmoil and conflict. Safadi's message is one of hope and resilience in the face of oppression, calling on both God and the power of the natural world to intervene and provide comfort and protection.
Line by Line Meaning
ياربي ودي طير الابابيل
Oh Lord, send the Ababil birds
ياربي ودي طير الابابيل
Oh Lord, send the Ababil birds
ترمي الظالمين بحجارة من سجين
Let them throw stones at the oppressors from their prison
شوف شو عملو فينا
See what the Israelites did to us
بني اسرائيل
The children of Israel
شوف شو عملو فينا
See what the Israelites did to us
بني اسرائيل
The children of Israel
فهمنا شو بيفرقو عن اصحاب الفيل
We understand what separates them from the people of the elephant
ياربي
Oh Lord
يا قدير
O Mighty One
فرجينا انو مش عاجبك شو اللي عم بيصير
Show us that You are not pleased with what is happening
يا ربي
Oh Lord
يا جبار
O Powerful One
انقذنا من شعبك المختار
Save us from Your chosen people
يا نار كوني بردا وسلاما
O fire, be cool and peaceful for us
يا نار كوني بردا و سلاما
O fire, be cool and peaceful for us
يا نار كوني بردا وسلاما علينا
O fire, be cool and peaceful on us
يا نار احرقي من ارسلكي
O fire, burn those who sent you
يا نار احرقي من ارسلكي
O fire, burn those who sent you
يا نار احرقي من ارسلكي الينا
O fire, burn those sent to harm us
يا ربي
Oh Lord
يا جبار
O Powerful One
برد لنا ألسنة النار
Cool for us the tongues of fire
يا ربي
Oh Lord
يا جبار
O Powerful One
انقذنا من اسلحة الدمار
Save us from weapons of destruction
انقذنا
Save us
(شوف شو عملو فينا)
(See what the Israelites did to us)
انقذنا
Save us
(شوف شو عملو فينا)
(See what the Israelites did to us)
انقذنا
Save us
(شوف شو عملو فينا)
(See what the Israelites did to us)
Contributed by Cooper A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@vermition
Not only very controversial........but extremely good music really good music
@abdsaqer5276
حلوه ابو صفدي
@samy1412
raw3a!
@tgytret4361
اية يا زميلييي حبيبي قلبي
@aura_1984
حلوة
@yasermousa7398
انسان استثنائي .. فنان استثنائي .. رائع يا انت
@bmudallal
@abomohmod وحش ...رأيك كم حسنة أخذت على هذا التعليق تبعك ؟
@xfiregl
hala walla
@tgytret4361
داااااااااااااااااااااااااااااامدة دن
@OdedFriedGaon
another good one.