Sabah, known locally as "Al-Sabbouha" was born in Bdadoun, Lebanon. Her father was severe towards her, even beating her sometimes. When she started making a small amount of money out of her movies, he used to take it away from her. She married early to leave her father's overbearing financial control. Her brother killed her mother because he believed she was seeing someone outside marriage.
She began singing and acting in the 1940s in Egyptian movies when Egyptian filmmaker Henry Barakat recognised her talent. Her first featured film was "El Alb Laho Wahed" produced by Asia Dagher. Although a Lebanese national, the majority of her films were co-produced with or focused on Egypt. She starred with many famous actors, such as Abdel Halim Hafez, Kamal El Chenawi, Ahmad Mazhar, Rushdy Abaza and Hussein Fahmy.
Until 2009, she performed both in concert and on television, including such programs as Star Academy (the Arabic equivalent of the United Kingdom's Fame Academy), where she sang her new single onstage opposite a line of mannequins displaying costumes from several of her early films and musicals.
She was known to her affectionate fans as "Sabbouha". She was also famously known as "Al Chahroura" (The Singing Bird), because of her poet uncle who was named "Chahrour Al Wadi".
In the 1990s, she and her former husband Fadi Lubnan (Kuntar) made a documentary about her life.
She also developed a close collaboration with singer Rola Saad in remaking some of her old hits, such as "Yana Yana". The accompanying video, in which Sabah is shown as "the notorious diva" to whom her younger colleague pays tribute, has received wide play on Arabic music channels.[citation needed]
Sabah was hosted on Akher Man Yalam on 31 May 2010.
In the 2011 edition of the famous Beiteddine Art Festival, a show retracing the incredible journey of Sabah as a singer and movie star was performed. In the title role Ruwaida Attieh, shared the stage with more than 40 singers & dancers.
After selling her building in the early 2000s, she moved to "Hotel Comfort" in Hazmieh, Beirut. She lived in "Hotel Brazilia" next to her old hotel. She suffered from many illnesses due to several Thrombus in her brain. This caused her to lose control of her left hand and foot. However she did not lose her memories, but she suffered from a diminished ability to concentrate.
Al Shahrourah, a TV drama based on her life aired during Ramadan 2011. She was portrayed by actress/singer Carole Samaha.
Sabah's reaction was mostly positive towards the series and was happy that it was a success. However, she had some comments about inaccuracies, such as the depiction of her father as wearing the traditional Lebanese costumes.
Sabah was married seven times. Here's a history of her marriages:
Najib Chammas (5 Years); the couple had a son named Dr. Sabah Chammas .
Egyptian violinist Anwar Mansy. The marriage lasted four years; the couple had a daughter, actress and singer Howayda Mansy.
Egyptian television presenter Ahmed Farrag.
Egyptian actor Rushdy Abaza The marriage lasted only one week.
Lebanese depute Joe Hammoud
Lebanese artist Wassim Tabbara.
Lebanese artist Fadi Lebnan.
Her last romantic adventure was with Omar Mehyo, Mister Lebanon 2000, whom she was engaged but not married to in 2003. The relationship ended in 2004. According to Lebanese Media Magazine Al Mawed and Contrary to popular belief, she is not married to her hairdresser Joseph Gharib,who takes care of her daily.
In addition to her numerous concerts in the Arab World she also performed several times on foreign stages such as:
L'Olympia, Paris
Albert Hall, London
Sydney Opera House, Sydney
Carnegie Hall, New York
Her only European TV performance was in 1980, when she was a guest on the French TV show Le Grand Echiquier where she performed "Saidi" and the duet "Aal Naddaa" with French singer Enrico Macias. This duet lead to her ban in several Arab Countries,due to Macias' support of Israel.
Constant rumors involving Sabah's death have been circulating in the past decade because of her advanced age. She has been described as "The artist who would not die". However, Sabah was saddened by those rumors, saying :"Am I bothering them while i'm still alive ?".[citation needed] On the topic of death, she said: "I've lived enough".
She has received many awards during her lengthy career, recent awards include:
Lifetime Achievement Award from The Dubai International Film Festival.
She was honored by the Egyptian Cinema in Cairo.
She was honored in Beirut with a statue of herself.
Decoration Award By Lebanese President Michel Sleiman During The Beiteddine Art Festival.
Sabah has acted in more than 87 movies,most of these movies are Egyptian and Lebanese movies, as well as 37 play. Her acting career stretches from 1943 till 2005. Many of Sabah's movies have not been released commercially on either VHS tape or DVD. Some of the movies she played in include:
Iyam El Loulou written by Karim Abou Chakra (As well as Nousi Nousi a play written and directed by Karim Abou Chakra)
Kanat Ayyam (1970)
Nar el shawk (1970)
Mawal (1966)
El Aydi el naema (1963) aka Soft Hands
El Motamarreda (1963)
Jaoz marti (1961)
El Rajul el thani (1960)
El Ataba el khadra (1959)
Sharia el hub (1959)
Salem al habaieb (1958)
Izhay ansak (1956)
Wahabtak hayati (1956)
Khatafa mirati (1954)
Lahn hubi (1953)
Zalamuni el habaieb (1953)
Khadaini abi (1951)
Ana Satuta (1950)
Sabah el khare (1948)
Albi wa saifi(1947)
lubnani fi al gamiaa (1947)
Sabah died on 26 November 2014 at 3AM at her residence at the age of 87. The Lebanese official news agency confirmed her death, saying she died in Beirut.
Ah Ya Zein
Sabah Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
آه يا زين العابدين
يا ورد يا ورد مفتح بين البساتين
آه يا زين آه يا زين
آه يا زين العابدين
يا ورد يا ورد مفتح بين البساتين
ياما قالوا العوازيل
أنا و حبيبي بالهوى مجانين
آه يا زين آه يا زين
آه يا زين العابدين
يا ورد يا ورد مفتح بين البساتين
بالحب جماله ساحرني
دوَّبلي روحي بعيونه الحلوين
The song "Ah Ya Zein" by Sabah is a love song that expresses the longing and beauty of being in love. The lyrics use nature imagery to convey the intense emotions of the singer. The repeated use of "Ah Ya Zein" adds to the romantic feel of the song, as it is a phrase of endearment translated to "Oh, beautiful one."
The second line, "Ah Ya Zein Al-Abidin," can be interpreted in a religious context to mean "Oh, beautiful ancestor," referring to the Prophet Muhammad's great-grandson, Imam Zain al-Abidin. The use of religious references adds depth to the song, as it denotes the spiritual connection between the lovers.
The image of the rose, referred to as "Ya Ward Ya Ward," symbolizes love and passion, and its presence in the opening lines of the song sets the tone of love and romance. The phrase "Moftah Bein Al-Bostan" means "opening up the garden," which could be interpreted as opening up the heart. The lovers' feelings are blooming like flowers in a garden, and their love is pure and genuine.
The final stanza speaks of the doubters and cynics who doubt the existence of true love. The phrase "Yaama Qal Yaama Qalu Al-Awazeel" means "they said, they said, the bad people said," adding an element of conflict and challenge to the song.
Overall, "Ah Ya Zein" is a beautiful, poetic love song that expresses the depth and intensity of love in a captivating, lyrical way.
Line by Line Meaning
آه يا زين آه يا زين
Oh how beautiful, oh how beautiful.
آه يا زين العابدين
Oh how beautiful the worshipers of God.
يا ورد يا ورد مفتح بين البساتين
Oh rose, oh rose, opening up among the gardens.
ياما قال ياما قال
How much they've said, how much they've said.
ياما قالوا العوازيل
How much the envious have spoken.
أنا و حبيبي بالهوى مجانين
Me and my lover are crazy in love.
بالحب جماله ساحرني
With love, its beauty has enchanted me.
دوَّبلي روحي بعيونه الحلوين
My soul twirls with his sweet eyes.
Contributed by Eva R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.