Born in Damascus, Syria, she started singing at an early age giving her first concert when she was five years old. After graduating from the Faculty of Business in 2002 she studied eastern classical song at the Aleppo Conservatory, but also ventured into jazz and traditional Armenian music. On her first album, Hal Asmar Ellon (2006), which reflects her style of oriental music mixed with elements of jazz, Chamamyan has collaborated with the Aleppo-born instrumentalist and trumpet player Basel Rajoub.
In September 2006 Chamamyan and Basel Rajoub were declared winners of the first Radio Monte Carlo Moyen-Orient Music Award at the Al Hussein Cultural Centre in Amman, Jordan.
In May 2007 Chamamyan released a new album, Shamat.
Cha'am
Lena Chamamyan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
سموت بها عن قلوب البشر
وراحت عيوني لمرآها تعلو
أسبّح مبدعها فيما صور
فها قطعة من رخام تعشّق
رإحة الياسمين وازهر
جوري وريحان،مسك وعنبر
فاح بصرح تلوّن اخضر
أذان باسم الخلاق كبر
زاد دقات الاجراس عيداً
نداء صلاة بها الروح تطهر
فتعبق بالبخّور مطارح
شآم انت فتاتي وأمي
فما أفعل كي أنال رضاك
وفيك بذرت صباي وأبشر
فهل من يزغرد ويعلي نداء
لفرحة قلب بجرح تخمّر
هو وعد دهري فياليت قبري
وفستان عرسي بفلّك يعمر
شآآآآآم
In Lena Chamamyan's song Cha'am, the artist describes a girl who is authentic and pure. The girl's presence seems to transcend human emotions and cause the singer's eyes to be fixated on her reflection. Lena then praises the creator who molded this girl, and who is responsible for all of the beautiful and fragrant creations in the world, such as jasmine, roses, musk, and amber. The girl is compared to a "piece of marble" that people become infatuated with, and her essence is a fragrance that fills the air.
The song takes on a poetic and lyrical tangent and continues to describe the beauty and splendor of the city of Damascus. The call to prayer echoes through the city, and the bells ring, indicating that it is time for celebration. The beautiful fragrance of incense wafts through the air, and the city is painted with shades of green. Lena then speaks directly to Damascus, calling her by the name of her mother, and asking what she must do to attain her satisfaction. Lena also mentions the hope that someone will call out and celebrate the beauty of the wounded heart that she carries. Finally, the singer wishes that she might live long enough to be buried in Damascus and that her wedding dress may adorn the skies.
Line by Line Meaning
فتاة أصيلة بعمر القدر
A genuine girl at a destined age
سموت بها عن قلوب البشر
She is named by the hearts of people
وراحت عيوني لمرآها تعلو
My eyes rested upon her mirror-like figure
أسبّح مبدعها فيما صور
I praise her creator for her beauty and form
فها قطعة من رخام تعشّق
Here is a piece of marble that I adore
رإحة الياسمين وازهر
The scent of jasmine and flowers
جوري وريحان،مسك وعنبر
Rose, basil, musk and amber
فاح بصرح تلوّن اخضر
It exhales green hues with majesty
علاه هلال وزان حلاه
Oh crescent, how lovely and serene you are
أذان باسم الخلاق كبر
The call to prayer echoes and magnifies the Creator's name
زاد دقات الاجراس عيداً
The bells' chimes have increased for a holiday
نداء صلاة بها الروح تطهر
A prayer call that purifies the soul
فتعبق بالبخّور مطارح
The incense spreads fragrance in the air
شآم انت فتاتي وأمي
You are my city and my mother, Damascus
فما أفعل كي أنال رضاك
What should I do to gain your satisfaction?
وفيك بذرت صباي وأبشر
In you, I have sown my youth and rejoice
فهل من يزغرد ويعلي نداء
Is there anyone who will sing and raise the call?
لفرحة قلب بجرح تخمّر
To bring joy to a heart that is wounded
هو وعد دهري فياليت قبري
He is my life-long promise, oh how I wish my grave was with him
وفستان عرسي بفلك يعمر
And my wedding dress would still be worn by him
شآآآآآم
Damascus
Contributed by Ryan N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.