The result is a refined musical portrait, a harmonious blend of melody and lyrics in Italian, Arabic, English and French, inspired by both the Arab and Western musical traditions.
Istanbul
Radiodervish Lyrics
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le cadute scopriranno l'equilibrio della novità
ma ricordo scivolai in un angolo di rose dentro i giardini tuoi
mentre io mi perdo nella nebbia della vita in cerca di noi
Arabic text
Ma iconiche candenze si disperdono su di me
l'acqua copre come neve la frontiera della mia cità
cercheremo tra la folla nuovi varchi verso Orienti che
Arabic text
The lyrics of Radiodervish's song Istanbul paint a vivid picture of the city's beauty and its contrasting elements. The opening line, "Scuarci rossi apriranno cieli eterni su Istanbul" (Red rays will open eternal skies over Istanbul), conjures up images of the city's magnificent sunsets and how they illuminate the skyline with a profound, mystical glow. The following lines, "le cadute scopriranno l'equilibrio della novità" (falls will discover the balance of novelty), hint at the idea that progress must occur through challenges and hurdles, which are inevitable in a city as diverse and dynamic as Istanbul.
The second verse begins with "Ma iconiche candenze si disperdono su di me" (But iconic cadences scatter over me), suggesting how the city's sights, sounds, and culture can be overwhelming to visitors. This is followed by "l'acqua copre come neve la frontiera della mia città" (water covers my city's border like snow), a poignant reminder of how Istanbul has been and continues to be shaped by its waters - the Bosphorus, Golden Horn, and Sea of Marmara. The song ends with "cercheremo tra la folla nuovi varchi verso Orienti che / là disegnano i volti stanchi dei soldati di luce nuova" (we will look for new paths among the crowd towards Orient, where tired faces of soldiers of new light are drawn), offering a message of hope amidst constant change and transformation.
Line by Line Meaning
Scuarci rossi apriranno cieli eterni su Istanbul
Red cracks will open eternal skies over Istanbul
Le cadute scopriranno l'equilibrio della novità
Falls will reveal the balance of novelty
Ma ricordo scivolai in un angolo di rose dentro i giardini tuoi
But I remember slipping into a corner of roses in your gardens
mentre io mi perdo nella nebbia della vita in cerca di noi
while I lose myself in the fog of life searching for us
Ma iconiche candenze si disperdono su di me
But iconic melodies disperse over me
l'acqua copre come neve la frontiera della mia cità
water covers like snow the border of my city
cercheremo tra la folla nuovi varchi verso Orienti che
We will search through the crowd for new openings towards the East that
là disegnano i volti stanchi dei soldati di luce nuova
there draw the tired faces of soldiers of new light
Contributed by Daniel S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.