Sabah Fakhri (Arabic: صباح فخري) (born 1933): is an iconic arabic tradition… Read Full Bio ↴Sabah Fakhri (Arabic: صباح فخري) (born 1933): is an iconic arabic traditional vocal singer from Aleppo in northern Syria.

He modified and popularized the then-fading form of traditional Arabic music, Muwashahat and Koodood. He is well known for his exceptionally powerful voice, impeccable execution of Maqamat and harmony, as well as charismatic performances. To many music admirers around the world, he represents the epitome and essence of authentic Tarab.

He enrolled into the Academy of Arabic Music of Aleppo then to the Academy of Damascus, from which he graduated in 1948. Then in Cairo, Egypt, he studied under the music masters of that time, and since then he started performing concerts in Syria. He soon became famous all over the Arab World. He also performed many concerts in Europe and the Americas. His name is enshrined in the Guinness Book of Records for his prowess in Caracas, where he sang for 10 hours without a pause.

He was a member of the Syrian parliament for a period of time as a representative of artists.

Fakhri was awarded the Syrian Order of Merit of Excellent Degree by the Syrian president Bashar al-Assad in recognition of his achievements in serving and his role in reviving the artistic heritage in Syria.

Ya Mal El Cham
Sabah Fakhri Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

يا مال الشام يالله يا مالي
طال المطال يا حلوة تعالي

يامال الشام على بالي هواكي
احلى زمان قضيتو معاكي
ودعتيني وعاهدتيني
مابتنسيني ومابنساكي
مهما تغيبي سنين وليالي

يامال الشام يالله يامالي
طال المطال يا حلوة تعالي

طال المطال طال وطول
مابتغير ولابتحول

مشتقلك يانور عيوني

مشتقلك يانور عيوني
حتى نعيد الزمن الأول

حتى نعيد الزمن الأول يالله تعالي

يامال الشام يالله يامالي
طال المطال يا حلوة تعالي

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Sabah Fakhri's "Ya Mal El Cham" express the singer's nostalgia and longing for the beautiful and enchanting city of Damascus, in Syria. The song begins with the singer addressing the city itself, calling out "Ya Mal El Cham, Yalla Ya Mali", which loosely translates to "Oh the wealth of Damascus, come to me". He then speaks of how much he thinks of her and her beautiful essence, conveying that his love for her has not faded even though time has passed. He mentions how they spent the best of times together, and how she left him with a vow never to forget him.

The second part of the song repeats the plea for Damascus to come back to him, with the words "Taal al mataal, Ya Helwa Ta'ali", meaning "The wait was long, my beauty, come to me". The tone shifts a bit here, as he speaks about how much he has missed her and how nothing has changed within him even though he has been apart from her. He ends by confessing that he longs to return to the time when they were together and how he can't wait to be reunited with his beloved Damascus.

Overall, the song's powerful and emotional lyrics express the singer's deep love and connection to the city of Damascus, and how even though he has been away for a long time, his feelings for her have never waned.

Line by Line Meaning

يا مال الشام يالله يا مالي
Oh wealth of Syria, oh God, my wealth.

طال المطال يا حلوة تعالي
Long have I waited, oh lovely one, come to me.

يامال الشام على بالي هواكي
Oh wealth of Syria, you are always on my mind, my love.

احلى زمان قضيتو معاكي
The best time I spent was with you.

ودعتيني وعاهدتيني
You said goodbye and made a promise to me.

مابتنسيني ومابنساكي
You don't forget me and I don't forget you.

مهما تغيبي سنين وليالي
No matter how long you stay away, for years and nights.

طال المطال طال وطول
The waiting has become long, very long.

مابتغير ولابتحول
You don't change or transform.

مشتقلك يانور عيوني
I miss you, oh light of my eyes.

حتى نعيد الزمن الأول
So that we can relive the old times.