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 tera tiri
Sabah Fakhri Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
وانزلي بدمّر والهامة
هاتي لي من حبي علامة
ساعة وخاتم ألماس
يكفى عذابي حرام والله
(أنا على ديني (جننتيني
(أنا، أنا على ديني (جننتيني
وعلى دين العشق حرام والله
يا طيرة يا حلوة تعالي
إحكي له ع اللي شاغل بالي
قولي له حبك يحلالي
يا أسمر يا ابو الخال
يكفى عذابي حرام والله
(أنا على ديني (جننتيني
(آه أنا على ديني (جننتيني
وعلى دين العشق حرام والله
يا طيرة طيري يا حمامة
وانزلي بدمّر والهامة
هاتي لي من حبي علامة
ساعة وخاتم ألماس
يكفى عذابي حرام والله
(أنا على ديني (جننتيني
(أنا على ديني (جننتيني
وعلى دين العشق حرام والله
يا طيرة طيري بوادينا
واحكي له ع اللي مجافينا
قولي له حبك كاوينا
يا أسمر يا ابو الخال
يكفى عذابي حرام والله
(أنا على ديني (جننتيني
(أنا على ديني (جننتيني
وعلى دين العشق حرام والله
The lyrics to Sabah Fakhri's song "Ya Tira Tiri" are a cry of desperation from someone deeply in love. The first stanza implores a bird to fly to the beloved in the cities of Hama and Duma, and to bring a sign of that love - a diamond ring and watch. The singer is clearly in agony over the love that he cannot have, as he repeats several times that it is "haram" (forbidden) on both religious and personal grounds.
In the second stanza, the bird is asked to speak directly to the beloved and tell him about the singer's feelings. The beloved is described as "Asmar" (dark-skinned) and "Abu al-Khal" (a common Arabic term of endearment for someone with thick, lustrous hair). The song's narrator repeats that the pain of this love is "haram" and expresses his desperation with the repetition of "Ana 'ala deeni ginninteeni" ("I'm out of my mind").
In the final stanza, the bird is again asked to fly to the singer's beloved, this time to the valleys where they used to roam together. The singer pleads with the bird to remind the beloved of the love they once shared and to tell him that this love has consumed them both. Despite the repeated references to the religious prohibition of their love, the singer cannot help but express his love and regret.
Overall, the song is a beautiful, poetic expression of the agony of forbidden love. The repetition of certain phrases underscores the singer's desperation, while the vivid imagery of the bird flying through different cities and landscapes brings the listener deeper into his world.
Line by Line Meaning
يا طيرة طيري يا حمامة
Oh bird, fly away oh dove
وانزلي بدمّر والهامة
And land in Damascus and Hama
هاتي لي من حبي علامة
Bring me a sign of his love
ساعة وخاتم ألماس
A diamond watch and ring
يكفى عذابي حرام والله
My suffering is forbidden by God
(أنا على ديني (جننتيني
I am devoted to my religion, it has made me mad
وعلى دين العشق حرام والله
And loving him is forbidden by God
يا طيرة يا حلوة تعالي
Oh bird, come here pretty one
إحكي له ع اللي شاغل بالي
Tell him what's on my mind
قولي له حبك يحلالي
Tell him his love is allowed for me
يا أسمر يا ابو الخال
Oh dark-skinned, oh uncle
(آه أنا على ديني (جننتيني
Ah, I am devoted to my religion, it has made me mad
يا طيرة طيري بوادينا
Oh bird, fly over our valleys
واحكي له ع اللي مجافينا
Tell him about our struggles
قولي له حبك كاوينا
Tell him his love has burned us
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Freda Sabbah
on Ya Mal El Cham
i adore htis singer