In … Read Full Bio ↴Re Soumaya Baalbaki's album "Arabtango*" (by Francisco Vázquez):
In one sentence, Arabtango shows that the Latin American lovers' expressive sadness (of which tango is the utmost accomplishment) goes along well with Arabic, a language that has at least 3 different words for the expression "passionate love". In Arabtango, Soumaya Ba'albaki adapts classic Arabic tango songs like اطلب عيني, giving them new life and making it available for the new generations.
Every melody combines Soumaya's tearing voice with an unconventional mix of "sad" music played in "happy" tones. The final result is not necessarily tango, but it is really good. In other words, if you think that Andrés Calamaro perverted and destroyed tango in "Tinta Roja", do yourself a favor and refrain from listening Arabtango.
[In this album] Soumaya Ba'albaki speaks in the Lebanese dialect, which means that she does not pronounce some letters, not to mention that she does not care about the grammatical rules. In fact, the cd includes a curious explanation about why she decided to use her country's dialect instead of the formal standard Arabic. The explanation has to do with the need to express her feelings in a common language, which goes with the Latin American spirit of tango.
Some non-Arabic speakers who have listened to the cd have found it expressive, powerful and passionate despite the language barrier.
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* Original edited down for general use. Any references may require factual verification.
ps: if anyone has a real description of Soumaya Baalbaki's actual biography, please be kind enough to share it here. thx!
Soumaya Baalbaki: „Ya Ashikata Al Wardi“
Soumaya Baalbaki Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
يا عاشقة الورد إن كنت على وعدي
فحبيبك منتظر يا عاشقة الورد
فحبيبك منتظر يا عاشقة الورد
حيران أينتظر؟ والقلب به ضجر
حيران أينتظر؟ والقلب به ضجر
ما التلة ما القمر، ما النشوة ما السمر
سابحة في الشفق فهيامك لن يجدي
يا عاشقة الورد إن كنت على وعدي
يا عاشقة الورد إن كنت على وعدي
فحبيبك منتظر يا عاشقة الورد
فحبيبك منتظر يا عاشقة الورد
نجم في الأفق بدا، فرحا يشدو رغدا
نجم في الأفق بدا، فرحا يشدو رغدا
اليوم وليس غدا، فليصدق من وعد
يا ملهمة النجوى، لا تنفعك الشكوى
فحبيبك لا يهوى، إلا ورد الخـد
يا عاشقة الورد إن كنت على وعدي
يا عاشقة الورد إن كنت على وعدي
فحبيبك منتظر يا عاشقة الورد
فحبيبك منتظر يا عاشقة الورد
The lyrics to Soumaya Baalbaki's song Ya Ashikata al Wardi, which translates to "Oh lover of roses," speak to a lover who has promised to wait for their beloved but seems to be growing impatient. The song begins with the repeated phrase "Ya Ashikata al Wardi, In Konti Ala Waadi," which means "Oh lover of roses, if you keep your promise." The singer then reminds their beloved that they are waiting, emphasizing their devotion and eagerness to be reunited.
The second verse continues with the theme of waiting, expressing the lover's confusion and restlessness. The singer compares their feelings to the moon and the hills, suggesting that they are constantly in flux and struggling to find their place. They also warn their beloved that if they continue to dwell in anxiety, it will not bring them any closer to their goal.
The final verse introduces a note of hope, as the singer sees a star on the horizon and encourages their beloved to be true to their word. They remind them that complaining and doubting will not help, and that the only thing that will satisfy their love is the beauty of the beloved's rosy cheeks. The repeated chorus, accompanied by traditional Middle Eastern instruments, underscores the urgency and longing of the song.
Line by Line Meaning
يا عاشقة الورد إن كنت على وعدي
Oh lover of roses, if you are committed to your promise
يا عاشقة الورد إن كنت على وعدي
Oh lover of roses, if you are committed to your promise
فحبيبك منتظر يا عاشقة الورد
Then your lover is waiting, oh lover of roses
فحبيبك منتظر يا عاشقة الورد
Then your lover is waiting, oh lover of roses
حيران أينتظر؟ والقلب به ضجر
Confused, where is he waiting? And the heart is restless
حيران أينتظر؟ والقلب به ضجر
Confused, where is he waiting? And the heart is restless
ما التلة ما القمر، ما النشوة ما السمر
What are the hills, what is the moon, what is the ecstasy, what is the tanned complexion
إن عدتي إلى القلق هائمة في الأفق
If you return to anxiety, wandering in the horizon
سابحة في الشفق فهيامك لن يجدي
Swimming in twilight, your infatuation will be in vain
يا عاشقة الورد إن كنت على وعدي
Oh lover of roses, if you are committed to your promise
يا عاشقة الورد إن كنت على وعدي
Oh lover of roses, if you are committed to your promise
فحبيبك منتظر يا عاشقة الورد
Then your lover is waiting, oh lover of roses
فحبيبك منتظر يا عاشقة الورد
Then your lover is waiting, oh lover of roses
نجم في الأفق بدا، فرحا يشدو رغدا
A star appeared on the horizon, singing joyfully
نجم في الأفق بدا، فرحا يشدو رغدا
A star appeared on the horizon, singing joyfully
اليوم وليس غدا، فليصدق من وعد
Today and not tomorrow, let the one who promised be believed
يا ملهمة النجوى، لا تنفعك الشكوى
Oh muse of passion, complaining will not benefit you
فحبيبك لا يهوى، إلا ورد الخـد
For your lover only loves the rose on your cheek
يا عاشقة الورد إن كنت على وعدي
Oh lover of roses, if you are committed to your promise
يا عاشقة الورد إن كنت على وعدي
Oh lover of roses, if you are committed to your promise
فحبيبك منتظر يا عاشقة الورد
Then your lover is waiting, oh lover of roses
فحبيبك منتظر يا عاشقة الورد
Then your lover is waiting, oh lover of roses
Lyrics © DistroKid
Written by: Zaki Nasif
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind