It's no exaggeration to say that the Ensemble Kaboul have literally kept Af… Read Full Bio ↴It's no exaggeration to say that the Ensemble Kaboul have literally kept Afghan music alive through many difficult years. Based in Geneva (hence the French spelling of Kabul) and led by Khaled Arman who plays the rubab lute - the Afghan national instrument - they represent thetraditional and popular sound of Afghan music. Thanks to its position at the crossroads of Asia, Afghan music is a heady and accessible mixtureof Indian, Persian and Central Asian sounds - and in the hands of a group like this, it obviously has an international appeal. Khaled's father Hossein Arman, who sings and plays harmonium in the ensemble, had a considerable reputation at Radio Afghanistan. Things got difficult for musicians in Afghanistan after the Soviet withdrawal in 1989 and the mujaheddin took power with their extreme Islamic beliefs. That's when Hossein decided to leave and follow his son who'd already left to studyin Europe. The situation got worse when the Taliban came to power in the mid-90s and music was entirely banned and instruments destroyed. It was then that Khaled and the Ensemble Kaboul really felt a duty to sustain the music of their country. Their first CD "Nastaran" was considered Top of the World by Songlines magazine. Ensemble Kaboul have not yet been back to Afghanistan as the situation with respect to music is still uncertain.
--Short biography by Simon Broughton, March 2003, at WOMAD.org

Dar dâman-e sharâ
Kabul Ensemble Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

در دامن صحرا بی خبر از دنیا
خوانده بگوشم مهرش نوای هستی را
در دامن صحرا بی خبر از دنیا
خوانده بگوشم مهرش نوای هستی را
آنکه به نقش زمانه دل نبدند
نغمه ی عشق و هوای دل پسندد
این نوای اسمانی با تو گویم گر بدانی
راز عشق جاودانی

از بیگناهیِ تو غرقِ گناهم من
تشنه ی دردم مهرِ ترا میخواهم من
از بیگناهیِ تو غرقِ گناهم من
تشنه ی دردم مهرِ ترا میخواهم من
خوش بود ای گل نازِ ترا کشیدن
با قیمتِ جان روی مه تو دیدن
برده تابم تابِ گیسو

کرده چیره چشم جادو
دیده یکسو آن دو گیسو

Overall Meaning

The above lyrics are from the song 'Dar dâman-e sharâ' by Kabul Ensemble. The lyrics talk about being lost in the vastness of the desert, unaware of the outside world, and listening to the melody of existence. The singer talks about those who are not bound by the rules of time and prefer the melodies of love and heart's desire. The heavenly melody that speaks of the eternal love is an attempt by the singer to express the secrets of eternal love.

The next stanza of the song talks about the singer's state of mind. The singer talks about being drowned in the sins despite being innocent and wanting to quench his longing for love. The singer's longing for the love of the beloved is compared to the sight of a flower, and it is said that the price for such beauty is higher than life itself. The singer's fascination with the beloved's tresses, their magic, and the way they sweep to one side is portrayed through the lyrics.

The lyrics of the song 'Dar dâman-e sharâ' reflect upon the human longing for the eternal love and the quest for something that goes beyond the mere existence. The singer talks about the vastness of the desert, which might also symbolize the vastness of human emotions and longing for their deeper meaning. It is a song that portrays the timeless essence of love and the magical moments that unravel in the journey of love.

Line by Line Meaning

در دامن صحرا بی خبر از دنیا
Unaware of the world while in the embrace of the desert

خوانده بگوشم مهرش نوای هستی را
May I listen while love sings the tune of existence

آنکه به نقش زمانه دل نبدند
Those who did not give their hearts to the roles of time

نغمه ی عشق و هوای دل پسندد
They preferred the melody of love and heartfelt desire

این نوای اسمانی با تو گویم گر بدانی
If only I could share this celestial tune with you, if you could understand

راز عشق جاودانی
The secret of eternal love

از بیگناهیِ تو غرقِ گناهم من
From your innocence, I am drowned in my guilt

تشنه ی دردم مهرِ ترا میخواهم من
Thirsty for your love, I desire your pain

خوش بود ای گل نازِ ترا کشیدن
It was so delightful to pick you, oh lovely flower

با قیمتِ جان روی مه تو دیدن
To see your face with the cost of my life

برده تابم تابِ گیسو
Enslaved by the passion of your tresses