In the music business, overnight success can sometimes take a decade or two… Read Full Bio ↴In the music business, overnight success can sometimes take a decade or two. In the case of Torontonian Mark Masri, this is true. Performing since the age of five, he has been building his career through writing music for film, television and other singers. Now, one of the hardest working men in the business is about to get his big break. North America audiences have been discovering that Masri’s soulful tenor is one of the finest voices of his generation; and coupled with his tall, dark and handsome appeal, he is poised for international stardom.

In addition to his incomparable vocals, Mark is a piano player, songwriter and producer.

He co-wrote all but one of the original songs on his latest release LA VOCE(Green Hill/EMI). For the rest of the repertoire, he chose a virtuosic array of songs in six languages: English, French, Italian, Spanish, Hebrew and Arabic. As the son of a Lebanese father and Anglo Saxon mother, and with his ease of performing this array of international songs, he exemplifies the new face of Canada-multiculturalism at its best.

Since 2008, Mark has guest appeared on numerous US tours with Jim Brickman, and was featured on his Beautiful World PBS special. Masri has treated audiences to his renditions of popular radio hits, but also to his spine tingling vocals on Italian art songs such as “Caruso”. The Boston Globe describes him as “…melting the hearts of female audience members like warm chocolate”, and The Cincinnati Enquirer said “Mark’s ‘Caruso’ thrilled the audience”. Steven Reineke, one of America’s foremost Pops Orchestra conductors said, “Mark Masri is one of those rare finds with an astounding and sensuous tenor voice, wonderful poise and warm stage presence, not to mention his movie star good looks. He is one of my new favorite singers that I will work with time and time again!”

Fraser Walters of the Canadian Tenors says, “Mark has a stirring combination of a golden voice and world-class song-writing skills”.

More recently, Masri has received accolades from the one and only, David “The Hitman” Foster. He invited Mark to perform on his latest television special (airdate Spring 2011), filmed at the beautiful Madalay Bay Resort in Las Vegas. Other special television performances include appearing with the choir, SCALA(Belgium) and Faryl Smith(Britain’s Got Talent); filmed in the historic town of Brugges, Belgium. Check PBS listings for airdates.

With smoky intensity and jaw dropping range Mark Masri delivers emotion that will enchant any listener. Part Andrea Bocelli, part Luther Vandross, this artist has been and will continue to bring audiences to their feet.

Erev Shel Shoshanim
Mark Masri Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Erev shel shoshanim
Nitzeh na el habustan
Mor besamim ulevona
Leraglech miftan

Layla yored le′at
Veru'ach shoshan noshvah
Havah elchash lach shir balat

Zemer shel ahava
Leylun-nada wiz-hur
Ta′a nukhruj 'alal bustan
Afrish Tari'ik bil bakhur
Wib wara′ irrehan
Am yutal al-leyl
Wiy-nassim il yasmin
Ta′a la almisik lamsit hob
Ya ahla il hilwin

Am yutal al-leyl
Veru'ach shoshan noshvah
Ta′a la almisik lamsit hob
Zemer shel ahava

Erev shel shoshanim
(Leylun-nada wiz-hur)
Nitzeh na el habustan
(Alal bustan)

Mor besamim ulevona
Leraglech miftan
Layla yored le'at
Wiy-nassim il yasmin

Havah elchash lach shir balat
Ya ahla il hilwin

Ta′a la almisik lamsit hob
Zemer shel ahava

Overall Meaning

The song Erev Shel Shoshanim by Mark Masri features Hebrew lyrics with a gentle melody, symbolizing love, tenderness, and beauty. The title translates to "Evening of Roses" and the song opens with an invitation to the beloved to seek solace amidst the fragrance of the garden. The evening breeze carries the scent of roses, and the lover is asked to join the singer to listen to a love song, a "zemer shel ahava." The night is full of possibilities, and they could wander through the garden, taking in the beauty of the surroundings. The singer uses vivid sensory imagery to describe the night - the scent of incense and the blooming flowers, the gentle breeze, and the cool night air.

Line by Line Meaning

Erev shel shoshanim
A night of roses

Nitzeh na el habustan
Let's go out to the garden

Mor besamim ulevona
Myrrh, spices, and frankincense

Leraglech miftan
To offer you a welcome

Layla yored le'at
The night descends slowly

Veru'ach shoshan noshvah
And the scent of roses fills the air

Havah elchash lach shir balat
Let me sing to you a simple song

Zemer shel ahava
A song of love

Leylun-nada wiz-hur
A night of dew and hush

Ta′a nukhruj 'alal bustan
Come, let's go out to the garden

Afrish Tari'ik bil bakhur
Spread out the path with incense