Banna was born in Nazareth, where she graduated from Nazareth Baptist School. She lived in Nazareth with her three children.
She died on 24 March 2018, aged 51, in a hospital in her hometown of Nazareth, Palestine following a lengthy and brave battle with breast cancer, which she openly shared with her numerous fans through social media. She met her husband, Ukrainian guitarist Leonid Alexeyenko, while studying music together at the Higher Music Conservatory in Moscow and they married in 1991, and divorced in 2010.
Banna first achieved popularity in the early 1990s, after recording her own versions of traditional Palestinian children's songs that were on the verge of being forgotten.
Banna also composed her own songs and set Palestinian poetry to music. Her message is often focused on the suffering of Palestinians. Her music is described as "haunting, emotional, at times bordering on kitsch." She described her music as a means of cultural self-assertion:
A part of our work consists of collecting traditional Palestinian texts without melodies. So that the texts do not get lost, we try to compose melodies for them that are modern, yet inspired by traditional Palestinian music.
In this way, Banna does more than mimic the traditional techniques and representations of the pieces she interprets. She blends them with modern singing styles because,
Oriental singing techniques are mostly ornamental… But my voice is more two-dimensional, thicker. I try to write songs that fit my voice. I want to create something new in every respect. And that includes bringing people elsewhere closer to the music and soul of the Palestinians.
She performed live in the West Bank and she reached audiences in Gaza through live webcasts. She performed her first concert in Syria on 8 January 2009 and also performed in Tunisia on 25 July 2011. Her first concert in Beirut took place on 22 March 2012.
Banna's popularity in Europe began after Norwegian music producer Erik Hillestad invited her to participate on the CD Lullabies from the Axis of Evil (2003) and Norwegian singer Kari Bremnes, who also took part on this production in a duet with Rim Banna, invited her to Oslo. Banna accepted the invitation, and the two artists did a show together.
The album, dubbed "a musical antiwar message to U.S. President Bush from female singers in Palestine, Iraq, Iran, and Norway," brings these women together with others from North Korea, Syria, Cuba, and Afghanistan, to sing traditional lullabies from their lands in duet form with English-language performers whose translation allows the songs to reach a Western audience.
The Mirrors of My Soul, which was dedicated to all the Palestinian and Arab political detainees in the Israeli prisons, is a stylistic departure from her previous body of work. Produced in cooperation with a Norwegean quintet, it features "Western pop styling" fused with Middle Eastern modal and vocal structures, and Arabic lyrics.
Although the style differs from previous recordings, the subject matter has basically remained constant. The album includes "songs of despair and hope" about the lives of "a struggling people, and even a song about late Palestinian leader and PA president Arafat in a way that is both thoughtful and subtle".
Discography
Jafra (1985)
Your tears Mother (1986)
The Dream (1993)
New Moon (1995)
Mukaghat (1996)
Al Quds Everlasting (2002)
Krybberom (2003) Rim Banna & SKRUK
Lullabies from the Axis of Evil (2003 – Various female artists)
The Mirrors of My Soul (2005, Valley Entertainment)
This was not my story (2006) Rim Banna & Henrik Koitz
Seasons of violet (2007)
Songs across Walls of Separation (2008 – Various artists from the Middle East, Africa, Central America, North America, and Europe)
April Blossoms (2009) an album for children, was dedicated to the children martyrs in Gaza
A Time to cry (2010), was recorded in one of the houses in Sheikh Jarrah under constant threat of eviction from the part of their house (with three Palestinian singers)
"Tomorrow" (Bokra) 2011, a single song of the American legend composer Quincy Jones, who chose Rim Banna to represent Palestine in this project which will be released in an Album and a video clip in September 2011
Revelation of Ecstasy and Rebellion (2013); produced by Bugge Wesseltoft
Songs from a Stolen Spring (2014, Valley Entertainment/Kirkelig Kulturverksted - Various Artists), featuring "Break Your Fears"
Masha'al
Rim Banna Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
مع السلامه يا ربعي وخلاني
عالأوف مشعل أوف مشعلاني
دربك سفرجل والحصى رمّاني
مشعل رماني ببير بالبرّيّه
لا طيور ولا وحوش تِعلَم بيّ
وإن كان يا مشعل أخلَفْت النيّه
عليش تقتلني وقدّي قّدّك
يا بو ثلاث شامات على خَدّك
يا رايح على الشام يرحم جِدّك
جِبلي سلام المحبّه بطُرحيّه
مشعل يا غاوي ليش جِسمك لاوي
جابوا المداوي والألم جوّاني
مشعل يا روحي قوم داوي جروحي
لأخدك وروحي ع بلاد اليماني
عالأوف مشعل أوف مشعلاني
ماني حكيته هوّ اللي حكاني
عالأوف مشعل أوف مشعلاني
ماني تبلّيته هوّ اللي تبلاني
ننّا-نّا-نّا-نّانّا (ننّا-نّا-نّا-نّانّا)
ننّا-نّا-نّا-نّانّا (ننّا-نّا-نّا-نّانّا)
ننّا-نّا-نّا-نّانّا (ننّا-نّا-نّا-نّانّا)
ننّا-نّا-نّا-نّانّا (ننّا-نّا-نّا-نّانّا)
وأشوف مشعل وارد الموارد
وخدوده مدهونة بزيت الورد
والله إن مسكتك ما يفكك مارد
ولا يفكك غير الربّ العالي
واشوف مشعل بِجرُش عالجاروشه
يا خدود مشعل محرمه منقوشه
وإن كان يا مشعل تريد الهوشه
أنا واياك بساحة الميدان
عليش تقتلني وأنا اسمي جارَك
متهومة بعشرتَك محروقه بنارك
وإن كان يا مشعل تريد بْثارَك
بيني وبينك حومة الميدان
ننّا-نّا-نّا-نّانّا (ننّا-نّا-نّا-نّانّا)
ننّا-نّا-نّا-نّانّا (ننّا-نّا-نّا-نّانّا)
ننّا-نّا-نّا-نّانّا (ننّا-نّا-نّا-نّانّا)
ننّا-نّا-نّا-نّانّا (ننّا-نّا-نّا-نّانّا)
حنّي ومنّي والهوا جنّنّي
عليش بُعدَك يا وِليفي عنّي
حنّي ومنّي والهوا جنّنّي
عليش بُعدَك يا وِليفي عنّي
حنّي ومنّي والهوا جنّنّي
عليش بُعدَك يا وِليفي عنّي
ليّه بليّه ويا حبيبي ليّه
حوران وأرض الشام ضاقت بيّ
وضاقت بيّ
وضاقت بيّ
وضاقت بيّ
وضاقت بيّ
In "Masha'al," Rim Banna sings about her beloved who is leaving her and heading towards Sham, which is an Arabic word for Syria. It is an emotional song, with the singer's heart filled with pain and longing. The lyrics' repetition of the phrase "Ouf mish'al, ouf mish'alani" creates an intense and haunting tone that represents the singer's desperation to hold onto her love. The song is a lament, with Banna addressing her lover, whom she nicknames Mish'al, pleading with him not to break her heart and to remember their time together. She warns him not to be tempted by others and to stay true to their love. The singer also speaks of the pain she feels as her lover leaves; she describes how she is torn apart and begs him not to forget her. As she sings, Banna's voice is full of emotion, and the listener can feel the intensity of the singer's emotions.
The song is filled with references to the traditional Arab culture, specifically Bedouin culture. The use of the term "mash'al" is a reference to the traditional Bedouin torch, which is used to light the way during travel. Banna also references Bedouin travel paths, with "darbak safraj" and "al-hasat raman" referring to rocky paths and deserts. The lines "and I see Mish'al returning" and "his cheeks greased with rose oil" are reminiscent of the old courtship traditions, demonstrating the singer's belief in such customs. Throughout the song, she uses the Arabic language to shed light on the beauty of Syrian land, as she sings of "Horan" and "Ard al-Sham," two cities in southern Syria.
Overall, "Masha'al" is a deeply emotional song. It speaks to the pain of lost love and the desire to hold onto someone, no matter how impossible it may seem. Banna's powerful voice and poetic lyrics make the song both haunting and beautiful.
Line by Line Meaning
عالأوف مشعل أوف مشعلاني
Light up my torch, ignite my fire
مع السلامه يا ربعي وخلاني
Farewell my friends and loved ones
دربك سفرجل والحصى رمّاني
Your path is rough and rocky
مشعل رماني ببير بالبرّيّه
My torch is a guide in the wilderness
لا طيور ولا وحوش تِعلَم بيّ
No birds or beasts know of my whereabouts
وإن كان يا مشعل أخلَفْت النيّه
If my intentions falter
قِرّ الصحيح ولا تْقِرّش بيّا
Stick to the truth and do not betray me
عليش تقتلني وقدّي قّدّك
Why do you kill me, take me as I am
يا بو ثلاث شامات على خَدّك
Oh, the three scars on your cheek
يا رايح على الشام يرحم جِدّك
If you go to Syria, may your ancestors rest in peace
جِبلي سلام المحبّه بطُرحيّه
Bring me the love and peace of our homeland
مشعل يا غاوي ليش جِسمك لاوي
Oh, the passionate one, why is your body burning
جابوا المداوي والألم جوّاني
They brought medicine, but the pain still remains
مشعل يا روحي قوم داوي جروحي
Oh, my soul's torch, heal my wounds
لأخدك وروحي ع بلاد اليماني
To take you and my soul to the land of Yemen
ماني حكيته هوّ اللي حكاني
I didn't say it, it was he who spoke to me
ماني تبلّيته هوّ اللي تبلاني
I didn't reveal it, he is the one revealing me
ننا-ننا-ننا-نّانا
Na-na-na-na-na
وأشوف مشعل وارد الموارد
I see Masha'al, coming back with riches
وخدوده مدهونة بزيت الورد
His cheeks are anointed with rose oil
والله إن مسكتك ما يفكك مارد
I swear, if I catch you, no demon can free you
ولا يفكك غير الربّ العالي
Only the Most High can set you free
واشوف مشعل بِجرُش عالجاروشه
I see Masha'al, grinding on the millstone
يا خدود مشعل محرمه منقوشه
Oh, Masha'al's cheeks, forbidden and engraved
وإن كان يا مشعل تريد الهوشه
If you want to fight, me and you in the open arena
أنا واياك بساحة الميدان
Me and you, in the field of battle
عليش تقتلني وأنا اسمي جارك
Why do you kill me, when I am your neighbor
متهومة بعشرتَك محروقه بنارك
Burned by the fire of your love, I am obsessed with you
وإن كان يا مشعل تريد بْثارَك
If you seek revenge
بيني وبينك حومة الميدان
Me and you, in the midst of the battlefield
حني ومني والهوا جنّني
Longing, madness, and love have driven me insane
عليش بعدك يا وِليفي عنّي
Why are you far from me, my beloved
ليه بليه ويا حبيبي ليه
Why, oh why, my darling, why
حوران وأرض الشام ضاقت بي
Hauran and the land of Syria have become narrow for me
وضاقت بي
And it has become narrow for me
وضاقت بي
And it has become narrow for me
وضاقت بي
And it has become narrow for me
وضاقت بي
And it has become narrow for me
Writer(s): נחלת הכלל, אלכסיינקו לאוניד, בנא רים ז"ל
Contributed by Anna V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@tamerburbar1989
كلمات الاغنيه: ♡ 🕊
عالأوف مشعل أوف مشعلاني
مع السلامه يا ربعي وخلاني
عالأوف مشعل أوف مشعلاني
دربك سفرجل والحصى رمّاني
مشعل رماني ببير بالبرّيّه
لا طيور ولا وحوش تِعلَم بيّ
وإن كان يا مشعل أخلَفْت النيّه
قِرّ الصحيح ولا تْقِرّش بيّا
عليش تقتلني وقدّي قّدّك
يا بو ثلاث شامات على خَدّك
يا رايح على الشام يرحم جِدّك
جِبلي سلام المحبّه بطُرحيّه
مشعل يا غاوي ليش جِسمك لاوي
جابوا المداوي والألم جوّاني
مشعل يا روحي قوم داوي جروحي
لأخدك وروحي عبلاد اليماني
عالأوف مشعل أوف مشعلاني
ماني حكيتو هوّ اللي حكاني
عالأوف مشعل أوف مشعلاني
ماني تبلّيتو هوّ اللي تبلاني
واشوف مشعل وارد الموارد
وخدودو مدهونه بزيت الورد
والله إن مسكتك ما يفكك مارد
ولا يفكك غير الربّ العالي
واشوف مشعل بِجرُش عالجاروشه
يا خدود مشعل محرمه منقوشه
وإن كان يا مشعل تريد الهوشه
أنا واياك بساحة الميدان
عليش تقتلني وأنا اسمي جارَك
متهومة بعشرتَك محروقه بنارك
وإن كان يا مشعل تريد بْثارَك
بيني وبينك حومة الميدان
حنّي ومنّي والهوا جنّنّي
عليش بُعدَك يا وِليفي عنّي
ليّه بليّه ويا حبيبي ليّه
حوران وأرض الشام ضاقت بيّ
@nassernadim9948
معلقة مشعل روحٌ وقلبٌ كنا نرقصها رغم آهاتها.. فمشعل الذي علق على خشبة كان شابا من لحمنا ودمنا
@minamansour3439
مش فاهم
@g63601
الله يرحمك ... مات لنا عمر بفقدك
@god-moon886
رح نسمعها لاخر العمر
@fadisalameh178
الله يرحمك يا ريم
@awnyjaber9731
الله يرحمك ريم
@MakeLoveNotWar865
R.I.P Rim
@nasremam1132
الله يرحمها
@willaljohnny2057
اشوووفك في الجنة باذن الرب العالي
@lukh7976
حوران وأرض الشام ضاقت بيا ااااخ