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"
Mashaal
Rim Banna Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
مع السلامه يا ربعي وخلاني
ع الأوف مشعل أوف مشعلاني
دربك سفرجل والحصى رمّاني
مشعل رماني ببير بالبرّية
لا طيور ولا وحوش تعلم بيّ
وإن كان يا مشعل أخلفت النيّة
عليش تقتلني وقدّي قّدّك
يا ابو ثلاث شامات على خَدّك
يا رايح على الشام يرحم جِدّك
جيب لي سلام المحبّة بطرحيّة
مشعل يا غاوي ليش جِسمك لاوي
جابوا المداوي والألم جوّاني
مشعل يا روحي قوم داوي جروحي
لأخذك وروحي ع بلاد اليماني
ع الأوف مشعل أوف مشعلاني
ماني حكيته هوّ اللي حكاني
ع الأوف مشعل أوف مشعلاني
ماني تبلّيته هوّ اللي تبلاني
واشوف مشعل وارد الموارد
وخدوده مدهونة بزيت الورد
والله إن مسكتك ما يفكك ما رد
ولا يفكك غير الربّ العالي
واشوف مشعل بِجرش ع الجاروشه
يا خدود مشعل محرمه منقوشة
وإن كان يا مشعل تريد الهوشة
أنا وياك بساحة الميدان
عليش تقتلني وأنا إسمي جارك
متهومة بعشرتك محروقه بنارك
وإن كان يا مشعل تريد بثارك
بيني وبينك حومة الميدان
حنّي ومنّي والهوى جننّي
عليش بعدَك يا وِليفي عنّي
حنّي ومنّي والهوى جننّي
عليش بعدَك يا وِليفي عنّي
حنّي ومنّي والهوى جننّي
عليش بعدَك يا وِليفي عنّي
ليّ بليّة ويا حبيبي ليّ
حوران وأرض الشام ضاقت بيّ
وضاقت بيّ، وضاقت بيّ، وضاقت بيّ
وضاقت بيّ
Rim Banna's song "Mashaal" is a powerful and emotional tribute to the steadfastness of the Palestinian people in the face of adversity. The title of the song, "Mashaal," refers to a traditional torch that has been used by Palestinians for centuries to light the way in the dark. The torch is a symbol of resilience, hope, and determination, and it serves as a reminder of the Palestinian people's unbreakable spirit.
The lyrics of "Mashaal" are steeped in poetic metaphor and symbolism. The first verse speaks of the "mashaal," which the singer carries with her as she bids farewell to her friends and loved ones. The torch is both a source of light and a weapon of resistance, and the singer is determined to carry it with her on her journey no matter what obstacles she may face. The second verse is directed towards the torch itself, urging it to stay true to its purpose and not betray the people who have entrusted it with the task of guiding them. The third verse uses a powerful and evocative image to convey the depth of the singer's love for her homeland and her people. The final verse repeats the title of the song, driving home the message that the torch of Palestine will continue to burn brightly despite all attempts to extinguish it.
Overall, "Mashaal" is a deeply moving and evocative piece of music that speaks to the ongoing struggles of the Palestinian people. Through its use of poetic language and rich symbolism, the song captures the essence of the Palestinian experience and serves as a powerful reminder of the human cost of conflict and displacement.
Line by Line Meaning
ع الأوف مشعل أوف مشعلاني
I am carrying a torch, a burning torch
مع السلامه يا ربعي وخلاني
Goodbye my friends and loved ones
دربك سفرجل والحصى رمّاني
Your path is full of hardships and obstacles that have hurt me
مشعل رماني ببير بالبرّية
My torch has led me to a deserted well in the wilderness
لا طيور ولا وحوش تعلم بيّ
No birds or beasts know my fate
وإن كان يا مشعل أخلفت النيّة
If I have failed to fulfill my promises, O torch
قرّ الصحيح ولا تقرّش بيّ
Guide me towards what is true and do not harm me
عليش تقتلني وقدّي قّدّك
Why do you try to kill me, and lead me to my fate?
يا ابو ثلاث شامات على خَدّك
Oh you with three scars on your face
يا رايح على الشام يرحم جِدّك
You who are going to Syria, may your grandfather rest in peace
جيب لي سلام المحبّة بطرحيّة
Bring me greetings of love and peace
مشعل يا غاوي ليش جِسمك لاوي
Oh torch, why do you make me feel so cold?
جابوا المداوي والألم جوّاني
They brought remedies, but the pain still lingers
مشعل يا روحي قوم داوي جروحي
Oh torch, my soul, rise up and heal my wounds
لأخذك وروحي ع بلاد اليماني
To take you and my soul to the lands of Yemen
ماني حكيته هوّ اللي حكاني
I did not speak, it was the torch that spoke to me
ماني تبلّيته هوّ اللي تبلاني
I did not reveal it, it was the torch that revealed me
واشوف مشعل وارد الموارد
I see the torch coming from far away
وخدوده مدهونة بزيت الورد
Its cheeks anointed with rose oil
ولا يفكك غير الربّ العالي
Only the Almighty God can release you from my grip
واشوف مشعل بِجرش ع الجاروشه
I see the torch grinding on the millstone
يا خدود مشعل محرمه منقوشة
Oh cheeks of the torch, forbidden and engraved
وإن كان يا مشعل تريد الهوشة
If you, O torch, seek conflict
أنا وياك بساحة الميدان
I am with you in the battlefield
عليش تقتلني وأنا إسمي جارك
Why do you try to kill me, when my name is your neighbor?
متهومة بعشرتك محروقه بنارك
Burning with the fire of your love, consumed by your flames
وإن كان يا مشعل تريد بثارك
If you, O torch, seek revenge
بيني وبينك حومة الميدان
Between us there is the ceasefire of the battlefield
حنّي ومنّي والهوى جننّي
My longing and passion have driven me crazy
عليش بعدَك يا وِليفي عنّي
Why did you leave me, my beloved friend?
ليّ بليّة ويا حبيبي ليّ
My tribulation is with my beloved
حوران وأرض الشام ضاقت بيّ
Hauran and the land of Sham have become narrow for me
وضاقت بيّ، وضاقت بيّ، وضاقت بيّ، وضاقت بيّ
And it has become narrow for me, so narrow, so narrow, so narrow
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@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