Born in Niha, Lebanon, Wadih El Safi started his artistic journey at the age of seventeen when he took part in a singing contest held by Lebanese Radio and was chosen the winner among fifty other competitors.
Wadih El Safi, a classically trained tenor, studied at the Beirut National Conservatory of Music. He became nationally known when, at seventeen, he won a vocal competition sponsored by the Lebanese Broadcasting Network. El Safi began composing and performing songs that drew upon his rural upbringing and love of traditional melodies, blended with an urban sound, and creating a new style of modernized Lebanese folk music
In 1947, El Safi traveled to Brazil, where he remained until 1950.
El Safi toured the world, singing in many languages, including Arabic, Syriac, French, Portuguese and Italian.
In the spring of 1973, El Safi recorded and released a vinyl single with the songs "Grishlah Idi" lyrics by Ninos Aho and "Iman Ya Zawna" (lyrics by Amanuel Salamon), first one in Western Syriac and second one in Eastern Syriac. The music arrangements were done by Nuri Iskandar and the songs were produced especially for an Aramean Festival, which occurred in the UNESCO building in Beirut at that time where El Safi participated as a singer.
El Safi has written over 3000 songs. He is well known for his mawawil (an improvised singing style) of 'ataba, mijana, and Abu el Zuluf. He has performed and recorded with many well-known Lebanese musicians, including Najwa Karam, Fairouz, and Sabah.
Wadih El Safi (وديع الصافي), the prominent Lebanese composer and singer of his time, often described as the "Voice of Lebanon" and responsible for the mark of distinction and popularity of the Lebanese musical sound. His name is synonymous with traditional Lebanese folklore. His tenor voice commends a unique beauty and evokes the images and sounds of Lebanese terrain. Wadie' grew up in a village in the mountains of Lebanon and later on moved to Beirut, where he began composing and performing music based on his folklore roots incorporating a new urban sound, which would be later described as the urbanization of the Lebanese folk music.
Recently, through his work with Jose Fernandes & Michel Elefteriades through Elefrecords, Wadih El Safi has explored new pathways for his music, exposing a new generation to his sound. Wadih El Safi & Jose Fernades have found great success with their arabic-flamenco fusion.
Lubnan Ya Qitit Sama
Wadih El Safi Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
لوحات الله راسمها شطحات احلى من الحلى
عالطامعين محرمها وللخاشــــــعين محللها
بالسـيف ما بتغلى دما وللضيف منقول له هلا
لبنان يا قطعة سما اســـمك على شفافي صلاة
يســــعد صباحك ها الحلو يل أنت للدنيا صباح
رؤوس الجبال تكحلوا بالنور وتــــنفضّ جناح
عرم بريش اللي بلله قطر الندي ترغل وصاح
لبنان يا قطعة ســــما اسمك على شفافي صلاة
The song "Lubnan Ya Qitit Sama" by Wadih El Safi is a tribute to Lebanon, a country that he clearly loves deeply. In the first verse, El Safi describes Lebanon as a piece of sky on earth, unlike any other place. He describes the natural beauty of the land that God has created, which is both breathtaking and awe-inspiring. He acknowledges that the greedy ones are forbidden from exploiting it, while the humble are welcome to enjoy it. He also adds a note of warning, saying that the sword won't spare anyone, but the guest is always welcome. El Safi portrays Lebanon as a land of contradictions, but also a land of grace and hospitality.
In the second verse, El Safi is greeting the morning, addressing Lebanon as if it's a person. He acknowledges the beauty of the mountains as they come to life with the light of the sun. He describes the sweet nightingale, whose song echoes through the valley, and the quail that shakes its wings in the dew. He emphasizes the beauty of Lebanon, but also the resilience of its inhabitants, who endure the unpredictable seasons and weather with patience and strength.
Overall, the song "Lubnan Ya Qitit Sama" is a testament to the love that El Safi has for his country, and an ode to the beauty, grace, and complexity of Lebanon.
Line by Line Meaning
لبنان يا قطعة ســـــما عالارض تاني ما ألها
Lebanon, you are a piece of heaven on earth like no other.
لوحات الله راسمها شطحات احلى من الحلى
The beautiful scenery that God created is even more stunning than any dessert.
عالطامعين محرمها وللخاشــــــعين محللها
The greedy are forbidden from it and the humble are welcomed.
بالسـيف ما بتغلى دما وللضيف منقول له هلا
Even if it costs blood, it is worth protecting and welcoming guests.
لبنان يا قطعة سما اســـمك على شفافي صلاة
Lebanon, your name is engraved in my prayers and in the clarity of the sky.
يســــعد صباحك ها الحلو يل أنت للدنيا صباح
Good morning to you, my sweet one, you are the world's morning.
رؤوس الجبال تكحلوا بالنور وتــــنفضّ جناح
Mountain tops are covered in light and their wings flutter.
بلبل حلو ياما الــــه صابر على جنون الريــــاح
Sweet nightingale, how patient you are with the madness of the wind.
عرم بريش اللي بلله قطر الندي ترغل وصاح
The bird fluffed its feathers and, after being sprinkled with dew, chirped.
Contributed by Brooklyn V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.