Imam was born to a poor family in the Egyptian village of Abu al-Numrus, Giza governorate. He lost his sight when he was a child . At the age of five he joined a recititation class, where he he memorized the Qur’an. He later moved to Cairo to study where he led a darvish life. In Cairo, Imam met Sheikh Darwish ElHareery, a prominent musical figure at that time, who taught him the basics of music and muwashshah singing. He then worked with the Egyptian composer Zakariyya Ahmad. At that time, he expressed interest in Egyptian folk songs especially those by Sayed Darwish and Abdou ElHamouly. He also performed at weddings and birthdays.
In 1962 he met the Egyptian poet Ahmad Fouad Negm. For many years, they formed a duo composing and singing political songs, mostly in favor of the poor oppressed classes and indicting the ruling classes. Though their songs were banned in the Egyptian Radio and Television stations, they were popular among ordinary people in the 1960s and 1970s. Their revolutionary songs criticizing the government after the 1967 war led them to imprisonment and detention several times. In the mid 80s Imam performed several concerts in France, Britain, Lebanon, Tunisia, Libya and Algeria. Later Imam and Negm broke up after several disagreements. Imam died at the age of 78 after a long illness.
El Bahr Beyedhak Leih
Sheikh Imam Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
وأنا نازلة أتدلع أملا القلل
البحر غضبان ما بيضحكش
أصل الحكاية ما تضحكش
البحر غضبان ما بيضحكش
أصل الحكاية ما تضحكش
البحر جرحه ما بيدبلش
والبحر بيضحك ليه؟
وأنا نازلة أتدلع أملا القلل
مساكين بنضحك من البلوة
زي الديوك والروح حلوة
مساكين بنضحك من البلوة
زي الديوك والروح حلو
سرقاها من السكين حموة
ولسه جوة القلب أمل
والبحر بيضحك ليه، ليه، ليه؟
وأنا نازلة أتدلع أملا القلل
قللنا فخارها قناوي
بتقول حكاوي وغناوي
قللنا فخارها قناوي
بتقول حكاوي وغناوي
يا قلة الذل أنا ناوي ما أشرب ولو في الميّة عسل
والبحر بيضحك ليه، ليه، ليه؟
وأنا نازلة أتدلع أملا القلل
ياما ملينا وملينا لغيرنا وعطشنا سقينا
ياما ملينا وملينا لغيرنا وعطشنا سقينا
صابريــن وبحر ما يروينا
شايلين بدال العلة علل
والبحر بيضحك ليه، ليه؟
أنا، وأنا نازلة أتدلع أملا القلل
في بالي ياما وعلى بالي
واللي بيعشق ما يبالي
في بالي ياما وعلى، على، على بالي
واللي بيعشق ما يبالي
ما يهمينيش من عزالي
يا حلوة لو مرسالي وصل
والبحر بيضحك ليه؟
وأنا نازلة أتدلع أملا القلل
بيني وبينك سور ورا سور
وأنا لا مارد ولا عصفور
بيني وبينك سور ورا سور
وأنا لا مارد ولا عصفور
بإيدي عود رنان وجسور
بإيدي عود رنان وجسور
وصبحت أنا في العشق مثل
والبحر بيضحك ليه؟
وأنا نازلة أتدلع أملا القلل
بيضحك ليه وأنا نازلة أتدلع أملا القلل
The lyrics of the song "El Bahr Beyedhak Leih" by Sheikh Imam describe the contrast between the laughter of the sea and the hardships experienced by the poor. The first verse questions why the sea is laughing while the singer is struggling. The second verse depicts the poor people who are laughing through their problems and how they have stolen to survive. The third verse talks about how people who have been patient have still not had their thirst quenched by the unyielding sea.
The fourth verse brings up the idea of the singer's mind being occupied with a loved one, while the sea is still laughing. The final verse talks about how there is a wall between the singer and their loved one, and how the singer is powerless in their love.
Overall, the song speaks to the struggles of the poor and powerless, juxtaposed against the seemingly carefree nature of the sea. It also touches on the theme of love and the barriers that can stand in the way.
Line by Line Meaning
البحر بيضحك ليه؟
Why is the sea laughing?
وأنا نازلة أتدلع أملا القلل
And I descend, being playful with a dream
البحر غضبان ما بيضحكش
The sea is angry, it's not laughing
أصل الحكاية ما تضحكش
The story isn't funny in the first place
البحر جرحه ما بيدبلش
The sea's wounds never heal
وجرحنا ولا عمره دبل
Our wounds have never healed either
مساكين بنضحك من البلوة
We're poor and laughing out of misery
زي الديوك والروح حلوة
Like roosters, pretending everything is fine
سرقاها من السكين حموة
Someone stole my joy, but some hope remains
وأنا نازلة أتدلع أملا القلل
And I descend, being playful with a dream
قللنا فخارها قناوي
We lowered ourselves, like clay pots made of pottery
بتقول حكاوي وغناوي
Saying tales and singing songs to hide our sorrows
يا قلة الذل أنا ناوي ما أشرب ولو في الميّة عسل
Oh, the shame! But I'm determined not to give up, even if it means drinking bitter water
ياما ملينا وملينا لغيرنا وعطشنا سقينا
We have watered others and ourselves thirsted
شايلين بدال العلة علل
We carry burdens and come up with excuses
في بالي ياما وعلى بالي
I have many thoughts, and I keep thinking
واللي بيعشق ما يبالي
And for those who love, nothing else matters
ما يهمينيش من عزالي
I don't care about anything else
يا حلوة لو مرسالي وصل
My sweet love, please answer my call
بيني وبينك سور ورا سور
Between you and me, there are walls after walls
وأنا لا مارد ولا عصفور
And I'm neither a genie nor a sparrow
بإيدي عود رنان وجسور
But I have a magical oud in my hands
وصبحت أنا في العشق مثل
And I have become lost in love
والبحر بيضحك ليه؟ أنا، وأنا نازلة أتدلع أملا القلل
Why is the sea laughing? And I descend, being playful with a dream
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Naguib Surur
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind