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.

Coffee Trees
Marcel Khalife Lyrics

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بيني وبينك سجر البن
وحبّ الهال
وزهر النوم
بيني وبينك سجر البن
وحبّ الهال
وزهر النوم

بيني وبينك تسع جبال

وعرب وصحرا
وغيبة يوم

بيني وبينك ضربة رمح
وفرس وسيف
وهجم الصبح
بيني وبينك ضربة رمح
وفرس وسيف
وهجم الصبح

بيني وبينك طيرة طير
ونادو كلّن ع الفراق

وقطفني متل الصبيّر
صوت ال غنُّو بالعراق

بيني وبينك طيرة طير
ونادو كلّن ع الفراق

وقطفني متل الصبيّر
صوت ال غنُّو بالعراق

لو نقدك كان مدينة
وبالشام العرس
لاركب ع الفرس وجبلك
مفتاح القدس

لو نقدك كان مدينة
وبالشام العرس
لاركب ع الفرس وجبلك
مفتاح القدس

رايح اسرقلك غابة
اسرق لك جان
رايح اسرقلك غابة
اسرق لك جان

وعلِّق ع سجر البحر
عقود المرجان
وعلق ع سجر البحر
عقود المرجان

رايح اسرقلك غابة
اسرق لك جان
رايح اسرقلك غابة
اسرق لك جان

وعلِّق ع سجر البحر
عقود المرجان
وعلق ع سجر البحر
عقود المرجان

لو نقدك كان مدينة
وبالشام العرس
لاركب ع الفرس وخلص
مفتاح القدس

لو نقدك كان مدينة
وبالشام العرس
لاركب ع الفرس وخلص
مفتاح القدس
مفتاح القدس

مفتاح القدس
مفتاح القدس

Overall Meaning

The song "Coffee Trees" by Marcel Khalife portrays the distance between two lovers who are separated by mountains, deserts, and a day's absence. The coffee trees, the cardamom seeds, and the flowers of sleep represent the love and memories of the two. The verse "between me and you a blow of the spear, horses, and swords, and the attack of the morning," symbolizes the dangers and challenges, and the need for strength and courage to overcome them. The lyrics convey the idea that love is a force that can overcome distance, time, and even war.

The verse about the bird singing and calling for separation shows the pain and longing that the lovers experience. The last verse repeats the idea that if the lover's city was Jerusalem, he would ride his horse and get the key to it. It implies that the love between the two is essential, and their reunion is paramount, just like the key to Jerusalem unlocks the holy city. In general, the song reflects the cultural significance of coffee in the Middle East and the role that it plays in bringing people together.

Line by Line Meaning

بيني وبينك سجر البن وحب الهال وزهر النوم
Between me and you are the coffee trees, cardamom pods, and orange blossom.

بيني وبينك تسع جبال وعرب وصحرا وغيبة يوم
Between me and you are nine mountains, Arab lands, desert and the unknown of tomorrow.

بيني وبينك ضربة رمح وفرس وسيف وهجم الصبح
Between me and you are the strike of the spear, horse and sword, and the dawn attack.

بيني وبينك طيرة طير ونادوا كلن عالفراق
Between me and you are the flight of the bird, and everyone calling for separation.

وقطفني متل الصبي صوت الغنو بالعراق
They picked me like a child, the sound of singing in Iraq.

لو نقدك كان مدينة وبالشام العرس لأركب عالفرس وجبلك مفتاح القدس
If your heart was a city, I would ride on a horse to your wedding in Damascus and bring to you the key of Jerusalem.

رايح اسرقلك غابة اسرق لك جان
I am going to steal a forest for you, I will steal a spirit for you.

وعلق ع سجر البحر عقود المرجان
And I will hang coral necklaces on the branches of the sea.

لو نقدك كان مدينة وبالشام العرس لأركب عالفرس وخلص مفتاح القدس
If your heart was a city, I would ride on a horse to your wedding in Damascus and save the key of Jerusalem.

مفتاح القدس (Repeated)
The key to Jerusalem.

Contributed by Bella A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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