Tania Saleh is a Lebanese singer/songwriter who has been paving her own pat… Read Full Bio ↴Tania Saleh is a Lebanese singer/songwriter who has been paving her own path in the Arabic underground musical scene since 1990. Her voice is wise and true, a soft mix between the traditional Arabic music she was raised on and the western sounds she chose to follow. She writes about the daily worries of a troubled society, of love and hate and what’s in between. Her music follows the rhythm of her daily life and mirrors her changing mood, creating a boiling pot of tunes, feelings and love for innovation.
Tania graduated from La Sorbonne, Paris in 1992 and has been working in the creative industry since then.
She was an illustrator, a backing vocalist and an actress in famous Lebanese musician and playwright Ziad Rahbani’s musical and theatrical work between 1993 and 1996.
In 2002, she released her first album, "Tania Saleh" with Lebanese music veteran Issam Hajj Ali and music producer/sound engineer Philippe Tohme. In the meantime, she wrote the lyrics to “Mreyte Ya Mreyte”, the title song in Nadine Labaki’s first feature film "Caramel", composed by Khaled Mouzannar and lyrics to Natasha Atlas’ song “Communicate”.
In 2009, she shot the music video "Ya Wled", a critical ode to all Lebanese politicians prior to the parliamentary elections. She also released the single "Slow Down” to commemorate her first trip to the U.S.A., hosted by music producer Miles Copeland who chose her as one of the main Arab artists portrayed in the PBS-produced musical documentary entitled “Dissonance and Harmony/Arab Music Goes West”. The documentary was preceded by a 5-day musical workshop uniting American and Arab artists at SIR studios in Los Angeles. The musical documentary was directed by Jon Brandeis and aired on PBS, BBC and Al Jazeera.
She performed live in various cities of the world including Beirut, Cairo, Doha, Los Angeles and Washington, D.C.
In 2010, she was featured on Al Jazeera in one of a series of documentaries by musician and documentary filmmaker Fermin Muguruza who painted a 'soundscape' of the modern Arab music scene.
In 2011, she released her second studio album (co-produced by Philippe Tohme) and a music video entitled "Wehde” released on Youtube. The album immediately became number 1 on the TOP 10 list of best selling albums at Virgin Megastore, Beirut.
She also wrote the lyrics and coached the singers in Khaled Mouzannar’s soundtrack for Nadine Labaki’s second feature film "Where Do We Go Now?”, released worldwide in September 2011. The film soundtrack was also number 1 on the TOP 10 list of best selling albums at Virgin Megastore, Beirut. It won “Best Music Award” in Stockholm International Film Festival in November 2011.
www.taniasaleh.com/www.facebook.com/taniasaleh

Quarrel with Allah
Tania Saleh Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

لبنان، لبنان
يا قطعة سما عالأرض تاني ما إلها

خناقة أنا والله (خناقة أنا والله)

يومية برجع وبصلي ولما بصلي صوتي بعلي
حتى طل عليا الله نار نور الجنة وقالي
لبنان

جينا أتفضل شو مطاليبك؟
قولتله نحنا محاسيبك
شايف شو كنا وشو صرنا وشو كتير علينا نجاريبك

قاللي سلامة فهمك يا بني، اللبناني كتير متعبني
بيغطس بالسبعة ودمتها وبيقولك الله جربني
قصدي خلقت الدنيا كلها مثل القاعد عم يتسلى
لكن أنتوا اللبنانجية خلقتوا عشرة اتناشر الله
ولما وقعتوا إلى رجعتوا، رجعتوا ضيعتوني وضعتوا
قسمتوني، أزمتوني، وزعتوني وأتوزعتوا

شطحات أحلى من الحلى
عالطامعين محرمها
ولو ماني الله وما شاء الله لبننتوني وجننتوني
وللخاشــــــعين محللها

قولتله هون بتسمحلي
قالي أتفضل، جود، اشرح لي
وفهمني شو دخل الله بغصة لبنان بهالوحلة (آه، آه)
هاللبناني خلقته أخضر، مكسي بالأندى وبالأندر
لما خلصتوا من تهديمه رجعتوا لنغمة الله قدر

نسيتوا شو جنيتوا؟
نسيتوا اللبناني شو صاير صيته
سكرتوا من زبيبة وبطرتوا ولهلق ما عرفتوا صحيتوا

جايي تطلب قمحي خصمك
والعزة سجلها بإسمك
والقوة اللي فيي أضربها بألفين وأنزلها بجسمك
وخصمك جايي بطنة ورنة طالب أمحيك ومتمني
مين المنكم بسمع منه ومين المنكم سامع مني؟

يا لبناني
اللي بدو يصلي ويخلي صوته يوصلي
يفهم إنه الله الخالق ما ميز ملة عن ملة

واليوم شو ما قالولي بتذكر الله شو قالي

يســــعد صباحك هالحلو يالأنت للدنيا صباح

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Tania Saleh's song "Quarrel with Allah" delve into complex themes related to the struggles of Lebanon, both on a societal and personal level. The repetition of "Lebanon, Lebanon, oh piece of sky on earth that has no equal" evokes a sense of pride and longing for a country that holds a special place in the singer's heart. The phrase "A quarrel, by God, a quarrel" expresses a deep-seated conflict or disagreement that the singer is experiencing, possibly with themselves or with a higher power.

The lyrics further explore the daily ritual of prayer and the internal struggle that comes with it. The singer describes how their voice rises when they pray, and how they feel the presence of Allah, with a message of light and paradise shining upon them. The mention of Lebanon in this context reflects a deep spiritual connection to the land and its people, despite the challenges they face.

The conversation with Allah in the song delves into the existential crisis faced by the Lebanese people. The lyrics touch upon the exhaustion and disillusionment felt by the Lebanese, who feel abandoned and fragmented. The imagery of division, crisis, and chaos reflects the turbulent history and current state of Lebanon, where unity seems elusive and the people feel lost and betrayed.

The song also addresses the contradictions and complexities of Lebanese society, with mentions of indulgence, decadence, and hypocrisy. The references to greed, indulgence, and manipulation highlight the darker aspects of human nature that have contributed to Lebanon's struggles. The singer questions the role of Allah in the chaos and suffering, highlighting the need for introspection and spiritual awakening amidst the chaos and upheaval.

Overall, "Quarrel with Allah" serves as a poignant reflection on the challenges, contradictions, and struggles faced by Lebanon and its people. Through powerful imagery, introspective lyrics, and deep philosophical questions, Tania Saleh captures the essence of a nation grappling with its past, present, and uncertain future, inviting listeners to contemplate their own beliefs, values, and roles in a tumultuous world.

Line by Line Meaning

لبنان، لبنان يا قطعة سما عالأرض تاني ما إلها
Lebanon, Lebanon, oh piece of heaven on earth like no other

خناقة أنا والله
A quarrel between me and God

يومية برجع وبصلي ولما بصلي صوتي بعلي حتى طل عليا الله نار نور الجنة وقالي
Every day I return and pray, and when I pray my voice rises until God's fire of the paradise's light shines on me

جينا أتفضل شو مطاليبك؟
We came, what are your demands?

قولتله نحنا محاسيبك شايف شو كنا وشو صرنا وشو كتير علينا نجاريبك
I told Him we are holding you accountable, see how we were and what we have become and how much we suffer

شطحات أحلى من الحلى عالطامعين محرمها
Delusions sweeter than sweets are forbidden on the greedy

ولـو ماني الله وما شاء الله لبننتوني وجننتوني وللخـاشعين محللها
If it wasn't for God and His will, you would have confused and driven me mad and made it available to the pious

قولتله هون بتسمحلي
I told Him, here, allow me

وفهمني شو دخل الله بغصة لبنان بهالوحلة
And explain to me what does God have to do with the situation of Lebanon in this mess

نسيتوا شو جنيتوا؟ نسيتوا اللبناني شو صاير صيته
Did you forget what you have gained? Did you forget the Lebanese what has become of his reputation?

واليوم شو ما قالولي بتذكر الله شو قالي يسعد صباحك هالحلو يالأنت للدنيا صباح
And no matter what they told me today, I remember what God told me, may your morning be happy, you are a sweet morning to the world

Contributed by Lincoln L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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