Marcel Khalifé (Arabic: مرسيل خليفة) was born in 1950 in Amchit, Mount-Leba… Read Full Bio ↴Marcel Khalifé (Arabic: مرسيل خليفة) was born in 1950 in Amchit, Mount-Lebanon. He studied the oud (the Arabic lute) at the Beirut National conservatory. His music works around the classical Arabic oud but also includes jazz piano and many other influences. His playing techniques expand far outside those of classical oud playing, however, and he is attributed for having greatly expanded the horizons of this traditional Arabic instrument.

Beirut
Marcel Khalife Lyrics

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ياه ياه ياه. يا شوارع
بيروت الحرب اليومية
يا مدينة يا مخزن هم
يا هيصة ووحشة جمرية

كانوا يتباهوا فيكي يناموا في حضن المرايا
وجوهن صفرا تعاديكي وإنتي ست الصبايا
أعز الأهالي

اللي وضعن بالي
ببيوت جواري
خيراتك يا مدينة إلنا نحنا زرعناها
وعالساحة لما نزلنا كلمتنا قلناها
جنوب وشمالي
بواريق بتلالي

وصوات عالعالي
يا يا بيروت

Overall Meaning

In his song "Beirut," Marcel Khalife reflects on the plight of the city during times of war. He addresses Beirut as if it were a person, expressing the pain and suffering endured during daily battles. The opening lyrics exclaim "Oh streets of Beirut, the daily war," highlighting the constant struggle faced by the city's residents. Beirut is personified as a storehouse of sorrows, with an ambiance of panic and fiery terror.

Khalife then describes how the city was once a source of pride for its inhabitants but is now the victim of the war, with faces of hatred directed towards it. However, he also recognizes the dedication of those who have remained in the city, those who have built their homes and livelihoods there. He refers to them as "the dearest ones" who have contributed to cultivating the city's beauty.

"Beirut" also emphasizes the unity and resilience of the Lebanese people. Khalife celebrates the power of words and demonstrations, stating that by shouting out, they are able to take a stand and show their patriotism. The song praises the Southerners and the Northerners, reflecting the diversity of the citizens who come together in sound and song to revere Beirut.

Line by Line Meaning

ياه ياه ياه. يا شوارع
Oh, streets of Beirut, the daily war zone.

بيروت الحرب اليومية
Beirut, the city that every day witnesses the horrors of war.

يا مدينة يا مخزن هم
Oh, city, you're the storage of our sorrows.

يا هيصة ووحشة جمرية
Oh, the excitement and fiery fear that burns within you.

كانوا يتباهوا فيكي يناموا في حضن المرايا
They used to brag about you and sleep in the arms of their reflections.

وجوهن صفرا تعاديكي وإنتي ست الصبايا
Their yellow faces hated you, while you were the center of the girls' attention.

أعز الأهالي
The dearest of my people.

اللي وضعن بالي
Those who were in my thoughts.

ببيوت جواري
In the neighborhood's homes.

خيراتك يا مدينة إلنا نحنا زرعناها
Oh, city, we planted your wealth and blessings ourselves.

وعالساحة لما نزلنا كلمتنا قلناها
On the square, we spoke our minds when we descended.