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.

Promises of the storm
Marcel Khalife Lyrics

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و ليكن .
لا بدّ لي أن أرفض الموت
و أن أحرق دمع الأغنيات الراعفه
و أعرّي شجر الزيتون من كل الغصون الزائفة
فإذا كنت أغني للفرح
خلف أجفان العيون الخائفة
فلأنّ العاصفة
وعدتني بنبيذ. و بأنخاب جديده

و بأقواس قزح
و لأن العاصفة
كنست صوت العصافير البليده
و الغصون المستعارة
عن جذوع الشجرات الواقفه.
و ليكن.
لا بدّ لي أن أتباهى، بك، يا جرح المدينة
أنت يا لوحة برق في ليالينا الحزينة
يعبس الشارع في وجهي
فتحميني من الظل و نظرات الضغينة
سأغني للفرح
خلف أجفان العيون الخائفة

منذ هبت، في بلادي، العاصفة
وعدتني بنبيذ،وبأقواس قزح

Overall Meaning

The opening line of Marcel Khalife's song "Promises of the storm," "And let it be. I must refuse death," sets a tone of defiance and strength that permeates the whole piece. Khalife sings of burning tears, stripping the olive tree of false branches, and singing behind frightened eyes, all while facing down a storm that has promised him new wine, rainbows, and fresh opportunities. He sings of the city's wounds, using powerful imagery of lightning in dark nights and streets that glare back with hate. Yet Khalife, throughout the song, refuses to submit or be defeated, vowing instead to sing for joy and hope despite the storm.

The lyrics of "Promises of the storm" are rich with symbolism and metaphor, highlighting the power of nature, the resilience of the human spirit, and the enduring beauty of hope. Khalife's use of potent imagery, such as stripping away the false branches of the olive tree, portrays a process of purification and honesty, while his celebration of fresh wine and rainbows represents a promise of renewal and rebirth. At its heart, "Promises of the storm" is a song of defiance, hope, and the enduring power of the human spirit in the face of adversity.

Line by Line Meaning

و ليكن .
Let it be.

لا بدّ لي أن أرفض الموت
I must refuse death.

و أن أحرق دمع الأغنيات الراعفه
And burn the tears of melancholic songs.

و أعرّي شجر الزيتون من كل الغصون الزائفة
And strip the olive trees of their fake branches.

فإذا كنت أغني للفرح
If I sing for joy.

خلف أجفان العيون الخائفة
Behind the scared eyes.

فلأنّ العاصفة
For the storm.

وعدتني بنبيذ. و بأنخاب جديده
Promised me wine and new grapevines.

و بأقواس قزح
And rainbows.

و لأن العاصفة
And because the storm.

كنست صوت العصافير البليده
Silenced the voice of the pale sparrows.