Orphaned Land is a doom/death band at its core, but they are highly influenced by the folk music and tradition of the Oriental Jews (Mizraḥim), making their sound much more progressive than typical doom/death bands. Their album Sahara (1994) was the first to include a combination of death metal and traditional oriental music. In their second album El Norra Alila (1996), Orphaned Land elaborated the combination of metal and oriental music, including the addition of song with traditional oriental Jewish piyyut and Arab melodies. This album conveyed a message of co-existence between Jews and Muslims. Their third album, Mabool (the Hebrew name for the Deluge, depicted in the Bible and Noah's story), 2004, was worked for seven years and takes the combination of doom/death metal, oriental music and biblical issues to a new level. The album tells the story of the seventh son of God (who was divided into three, each one symbolizing one monotheistic religion) which try to warn humanity from a coming flood (deluge) as punishment for their sins. Musically, the album contains oriental instruments, two choruses, traditional Yemenite chants sung by Shlomit Levi and quotes of Biblical verses from the story of the Deluge, read by Kobi Farhi, Orphaned Land's vocalist and one of its founders. The level of musical competency displayed in the heavy layering and orchestration combined with the more story-driven, conceptual nature of the album's lyrics as a whole lend a very strong progressive feel to the work.
Band Members:
Kobi Farhi − lead vocals, backing vocals, death growls, chants
Shlomit Levi - female vocals
Matan Shmuely - vocals, session drums
Matti Svatizky − rhythm guitar, acoustic guitar
Uri Zelcha − bass, fretless bass
Yatziv Caspi − drums, percussion
Idan Amsalem – guitars, bouzouki
Former Band Members:
Eran Asias − drums
Sami Bachar − drums
Avi Diamond − session drums
Itzik Levy − keyboards
Eden Rabin − keyboards, backing vocals
Yatziv Caspi - session drums
Avi Agababa - session drums
Yossi Sa'aron (Sassi) - guitars, oud, saz, bouzouki, chumbush, backing vocals
Norra El Norra
Orphaned Land Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
דודי רפא, נפשי ניכספה, לביתך מלכי
נורא אל נורא, נאזר בגבורה
נורא אשירה, לך אכבירה, שיר מהללי
לך אתנה מנת חבלי
בכלל זמן עזור אל נורא, גזע אברהם, נצר תפארה,
The lyrics of Orphaned Land’s song Norra El Norra are a prayer to God, addressing Him with the title “Norra El Norra,” which means “awesome God.” The opening line continues with the singer asking God to be cloaked in His might and to return as the king. This line suggests an acknowledgment of God’s power and the hope that He will once again take control of the world.
The next line of the song is a plea for healing, with the singer calling out to King David, a symbol of a Messianic figure in Judaism. The words “my soul is thirsty for your home, my king” evoke a longing for a sense of belonging and a desire to be close to God. The repetition of the title “Norra El Norra” in the chorus strengthens the prayer’s focus on God’s magnificence and power.
The final lines of the song emphasize the connection between God and the Jewish people, highlighting them as descendants of Abraham and the keepers of God’s Torah. The song ultimately functions as a call to God for strength, healing, and redemption.
Line by Line Meaning
נורא אל נורא נאזר בגבורה
Adorned with strength and might, I am enveloped by your awe-inspiring presence
שובי אלי מלכי דודי רפא
My soul yearns for you, my King, my Healer
נפשי ניכספה, לביתך מלכי
My soul longs to be in your sacred dwelling, O my King
נורא אשירה, לך אכבירה, שיר מהללי
I will sing a song of praise to you, O Mighty One, in honor of your greatness
לך אתנה מנת חבלי
I offer you as a gift the portion of land that is my inheritance
בכלל זמן עזור אל נורא, גזע אברהם, נצר תפארה
In all times and places, help us, O Mighty One, who are the descendants of Abraham, the guardians of your splendor
אתה אל חי נותן תורה
You, the living God, are the giver of the Torah
Lyrics © RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@gamerbktroll
The Lord of courage
Return me my Lord, mend my wounds
My soul is yearning, and in valor we wait
Nora I sing thee, a hymn of praise
To you I give my life and faith
Through all time, mighty Nora,
Deliver us progeny of Abraham
Offspring of greatness
You are the living God,
Giver of Torah
@javiercob1
I'm Muslim and i love this band, Peace from Mexico
@grtwhtbnr
I came here thinking this was gonna be a cover of "El Noa Noa"
@ismailcift
Esselamu aleykum 🤘
😁
@ironguardian2632
I'm Polish and I'm falling in love with this band deeper and deeper
@cenkhanevcil1974
@@ismailciftve Aleykumsalam
@eslamadel5765
انت عارف ان دى كمان سارقين لحنها من اغنية لمطرب مصرى اسمه كارم محمود😂😂
الاغنية اسمها سمرة ياسمرة
@andreaestrada81
I'm atheist, but music is stronger than beliefs and I love this song and all the Orphaned Land's music
@construtoruniversalilimitado
Atheist?kkkk not believe in yourself.
@cortx2lh
Just enjoy the music! I'm atheist too and i love them. :-)
@atwajesper9434
I hear ya, Andrea.