The lyrics of Tinariwen's song "Asuf D Alwa" describe nostalgia and solitude, or longing and loneliness. The first two lines, "Asuf d alwa megh tisseren / S el waqqen hegh anukmamnen," suggest that this feeling is tied to the desert landscape of the Tuareg people, as "asuf" means longing and "alwa" means desert or wilderness. The third line, "Talghiwen assohatnen," refers to the Tuareg's nomadic lifestyle, as "talghiwen" means travelers or migrants. The fourth line, "Itadj asemman anneghabint," may mean that the speaker looks up at the stars and feels a sense of longing or isolation.

The fifth line, "Itissahid tarha n asser," could be interpreted as a reference to the Tuareg's history of rebellion and resistance against colonizers and other outside forces. "Itissahid" means martyr, and "tarha n asser" means the fight for freedom. The sixth line, "Ism n enshor illan enor," continues this theme by suggesting that the speaker's people are still struggling for independence and self-determination. "Ism n enshor" means the name of the revolution, and "illan enor" means the sons of light.

The final two lines, "Tillalagh imidiwan adokhan / Adiwanin noyya inezgam djan tinfusen," are more difficult to interpret, but seem to suggest a yearning for connection or community. "Tillalagh" means perhaps "come closer" or "let's all gather," and "imidiwan adokhan" means "my friends" or "my brothers." "Adiwanin noyya inezgam djan tinfusen" may refer to a specific gathering place or meeting point for the Tuareg.