Ziad Rahbani (also Ziyad al-Rahbany Arabic: زياد رحباني‎, born 1956) is a L… Read Full Bio ↴Ziad Rahbani (also Ziyad al-Rahbany Arabic: زياد رحباني‎, born 1956) is a Lebanese composer, pianist, performer, playwright, and political commentator. His compositions are well-known throughout the Arab world. Many of his musicals satirize Lebanese politics both during and after the civil war, and are often strongly critical of the traditional political establishment.

Oum Fout Nam
Ziad Rahbani Lyrics

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قوم فوت نام.
قوم فوت نام... وصير احلام.
أنو بلدنا صارت بلد...
قوم فوت نام... بهالأيام
حارة بيسكّرها ولد...
هي بلد؟... لاء مش بلد!
هي قرطة عالم مجموعين!
مجموعين لاء!

مطروحين لاء!
مضروبين لاء!
مقسومين...
قوم فوت نام... وصير احلام.

قوم فوت نام.
قوم فوت نام... وصير احلام.
أنو بلدنا صارت بلد...
قوم فوت نام... بهالأيام
حارة بيسكّرها ولد...
هي بلد؟... لاء مش بلد!
هي قرطة عالم مجموعين!
مجموعين لاء!
مطروحين لاء!
مضروبين لاء!
مقسومين...

قوم فوت نام.
قوم فوت نام... وصير احلام.
قوم فوت نام... اكدوش الفرشة يا الله أوام.
وتغطى وسمّك الحرام...
واتمسك بنفس الكلام.
وتابع برامج بالسيكام.
كلها أغاني عن الوحدة الوطنية
كلها أماني بالمسيرات الأمنية
وكلهاّ تهاني بصيغتنا اللبنانية
قوم فوت نام مهو تلات ملايين عالتخمين
هودي اللي جوا البلد
والباقيين مفروطين كل شويّة في بلد
هاي بلد ... لاء مش بلد!
هي قرطة عالم مجموعين!
مجموعين لاء!
مطروحين لاء!
مضروبين لاء!
مقسومين...

قوم فوت نام.
قوم فوت نام... وصير احلام.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Ziad Rahbani's song "Oum Fout Nam" reflect the disillusionment and frustration of the Lebanese people with their country's political situation. The title, which translates to "stand up, go to sleep," is a call to action that underscores the apathy and complacency that pervades the society. The repeated phrase "our country has become a country" is a commentary on the fragmentation and division that characterizes Lebanese society. The singer asks if this is even a country at all, or just a piece in the global puzzle.

The song's refrain, "rise up, go to sleep, and dream," is a challenge to Lebanese citizens to take some sort of action while also recognizing the bleakness of their situation. The final verse touches on the themes of unity and nationalism, noting that there are songs and programs promoting these ideals, but ultimately dismissing them as mere aspirations, and questioning if they actually apply to the Lebanese people.

Overall, "Oum Fout Nam" is an indictment of the state of Lebanon and its people, challenging them to do something, anything, to change their situation.

Line by Line Meaning

قوم فوت نام.
Wake up, go out, and sleep again.

قوم فوت نام... وصير احلام.
Wake up, go out, and dream.

أنو بلدنا صارت بلد...
That our country has become a country...

قوم فوت نام... بهالأيام
Wake up, go out, and sleep these days.

حارة بيسكّرها ولد...
A neighborhood being closed by a boy...

هي بلد؟... لاء مش بلد!
Is it a country? No, it's not a country!

هي قرطة عالم مجموعين!
It's a bead on a necklace of the universe!

مجموعين لاء!
Not added!

مطروحين لاء!
Not subtracted!

مضروبين لاء!
Not multiplied!

مقسومين...
But divided...