Omar Souleyman (عمر سليمان) is a Syrian musical legend. Since 1994 he and h… Read Full Bio ↴Omar Souleyman (عمر سليمان) is a Syrian musical legend. Since 1994 he and his musicians emerged as a staple of folk-pop throughout Syria, but until being released by the Sublime Frequencies label they were little known outside of the country. To date, they have issued more than five-hundred studio- and live-recorded cassette albums which are easily spotted in the shops of any Syrian city.

Born in rural Northeastern Syria, he began his musical career in 1994 with a small group of local collaborators that remain with him today. The myriad musical traditions of the region are evident in their music. Here, classical Arabic mawal-style vocalization gives way to high-octane Syrian Dabke (the regional folkloric dance and party music), Iraqi Choubi and a host of Arabic, Kurdish and Turkish styles, among others. This amalgamation is truly the sound of Syria. The music often has an overdriven sound consisting of phase-shifted Arabic keyboard solos and frantic rhythms. At breakneck speeds, these shrill Syrian electronics play out like forbidden morse-code, but the moods swing from coarse and urgent to dirgy and contemplative in the rugged anthems that comprise Souleyman's repertoire. Oud, reeds, baglama saz, accompanying vocals and percussion fill out the sound from track to track. Mahmoud Harbi is a long-time collaborator and the man responsible for much of the poetry sung by Souleyman. Together, they commonly perform the Ataba, a traditional form of folk poetry used in Dabke. On stage, Harbi chain smokes cigarettes while standing shoulder to shoulder with Souleyman, periodically leaning over to whisper the material into his ear. Acting as a conduit, Souleyman struts into the audience with urgency, vocalizing the prose in song before returning for the next verse. Souleyman’s first hit in Syria was "Jani" (1996) which gained cassette-kiosk infamy and brought him recognition throughout the country. Over the years, his popularity has risen steadily and the group tirelessly performs concerts throughout Syria and has accepted invitations to perform abroad in Saudi Arabia, Dubai and Lebanon. Omar Souleyman is a man of hospitality and striking integrity who describes his style as his own and prides himself on not being an imitator or a sell-out.

Warni Warni
Omar Souleyman Lyrics

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hehehaaaaaaaaaaaaaaai de
. de warni warni warni de warni, warni warni,, de warni warni warni, waren delani wasmar
. asmare be gawri nadem de warni, warni warni,, asmare be gawri nadem waren delani wasmar (2x kurdish words)
hehehaaaaaaaaaai
. galwli bedna nejawzak magdar asbor balaha, galwli bedna magdar asbor balah, methel alhawa wa almaya shesabrni balah galwli bedna nejawzak shesabrni balaha, galwli bedna shesabrni balah, methel alhawa wa almaya shesabrni balah (arabic words)
. de warni warni warni de warni, warni warni,, de warni warni warni, waren delani wasmar
. asmare be gawri nadem de warni, warni warni,, asmare be gawri nadem waren delani wasmar (kurdish words)
... music

hehehaaaaaaaaaaaaaai
allah la yewafg alyes'e' balfwrga beni wa benak, allah la yewafg alyes'e balfwrga beni wa benak emet shamelna yelta metlaflefni behdenak (arabic words)

de warni warni warni de warni, warni warni,, de warni warni warni, waren delani wasmar
. asmare be gawri nadem haaaaaaaaaaai, asmare be gawri nadem de warni, warni warni,, asmare be gawri nadem waren delani wasmar (kurdish words)

Overall Meaning

The song "Warni Warni" by Omar Souleyman contains lyrics in both Kurdish and Arabic, conveying a message about love, fate, and the mercy of Allah. The repeated phrase "de warni warni warni" can be interpreted as a call for someone to be warned about their destiny or fate. The phrase "waren delani wasmar" could be understood as "my fate is sealed."

The first few lines of the Kurdish verse mention "asmare be gawri nadem," which could be translated as "love happened to me unexpectedly." The line "were delani wasmar" comes up again, followed by "nadim," which means "promise." Together, these lines suggest that the singer's fate has been decided, and they are making a promise to fulfill it, despite how unexpectedly love has entered their life.

The Arabic verse speaks of Allah's mercy and the hope that he will not separate two lovers. The line "emet shamelna yelta metlaflefni behdenak" could be translated as "let us come together so we are not separated." The song ends with a repetition of the Kurdish verse, concluding on the same note of acceptance of fate and the power of love.

Overall, the lyrics of "Warni Warni" express a message of surrender to one's predetermined fate, while also embracing the hope and passion that come with unexpected love.

Line by Line Meaning

de warni warni warni de warni, warni warni,, de warni warni warni, waren delani wasmar
Hey, call out Warni Warni, it's my favorite, call out Warni Warni, it's my beloved.

asmare be gawri nadem de warni, warni warni,, asmare be gawri nadem waren delani wasmar (2x kurdish words)
A night full of longing, call out Warni Warni, a night full of longing, it's my beloved.

galwli bedna nejawzak magdar asbor balaha, galwli bedna magdar asbor balah, methel alhawa wa almaya shesabrni balah galwli bedna nejawzak shesabrni balaha, galwli bedna shesabrni balah, methel alhawa wa almaya shesabrni balah (arabic words)
My heart is burning, I can't stand it anymore, my heart is burning, like the love and the water, it's boiling, my heart is burning, I can't stand it anymore, like the love and the water, it's boiling.

asmare be gawri nadem de warni, warni warni,, asmare be gawri nadem waren delani wasmar (kurdish words)
A night full of longing, call out Warni Warni, a night full of longing, it's my beloved.

allah la yewafg alyes'e' balfwrga beni wa benak, allah la yewafg alyes'e balfwrga beni wa benak emet shamelna yelta metlaflefni behdenak (arabic words)
God, don't let anyone come between us, God, don't let anyone interfere between me and you, with our unity we can overcome any obstacle between us.

asmare be gawri nadem haaaaaaaaaaai, asmare be gawri nadem de warni, warni warni,, asmare be gawri nadem waren delani wasmar (kurdish words)
A night full of longing, calling out, a night full of longing, call out Warni Warni, a night full of longing, it's my beloved.

Writer(s): Omar Souleyman Copyright: Two Thousand And Eleven Ribbon Music

Contributed by Hudson M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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TRACKS