Marhaba! In a previous post, I introduced you all to one my favorite Arab artists Fairouz (فيروز). Given the fact that I know many of you enjoy listening to her songs and are captured by the beauty and depth of the lyrics and music, I have decided to post a video of another musical masterpiece by the Ambassador to the Stars (السفيرة الى النجوم) Lady Fairouz. I have also added the lyrics in Arabic so that you can follow with the song and the English translation. This song is titled ‘The People Asked Me’ (سألوني الناس). The lyrics are written by Mansour Rahbani, one of the Rahbani Brothers and the music is composed by the talented musical genius Ziad Rahbani, who happens to be the son of Fairouz and Assi Rahbani.
The story of this song dates back to 1972, the same year in which Assi Rahbani the husband of Fairouz suffered a brain hemorrhage. Assi’s surprising and untimely medical illness inspired his brother Mansour and son Ziad to recount Fayrouz’s pain of being on the stage and performing to thousands of fans without Assi by her side for the first time. Ziad Rahbani at the young age of 16 was asked by Mansour to compose the music of this beautiful song.
Fayrouz – The People Asked Me | فيروز – سألوني الناس
سألوني الناس عنك يا حبيبي
The people have asked me about you, my darling
كتبوا المكاتيب و أخدها الهوا
They’ve written letters and the wind took them
بيعز عليي غني يا حبيبي
It’s not easy for me to sing, my darling
و لأول مرة ما منكون سوا
When for the first time, we are not together
سألوني الناس عنك سألوني
The people asked me about you, they asked me
قلتلن راجع أوعى تلوموني
I said “he’s coming back, don’t you dare blame me”
غمضت عيوني خوفي للناس يشوفوك مخبى بعيوني
I closed my eyes fearing that the people would see me hiding you in my eyes (meaning she’s thinking about him and caring for him)
و هب الهوى و ما كان الهوى
And the wind picked up out of nowhere
لأول مرة ما منكون سوا
For the first time, we are not together
طل من الليل قالي ضويلي
He appeared in the night and said “light my way”
لاقاني الليل و طفى قناديلي
“The night found me and put out my lamp”
و لا تسأليني كيف إستهديت
“Don’t ask me how I found my way”
كان قلبي لعندك دليلي
“My heart was my guide to you”
و اللي إكتوى بالشوق إكتوى
“He who has suffered in longing has truly suffered”
لأول مرة ما منكون سوا
For the first time, we are not together
Until this very day, this song by Fairouz remains a musical masterpiece that is sung by many rising Arab artists. The song carries a deep message of love and compassion in a beautiful and majestic manner. I trust you will all enjoy this beautiful Arabic ballad.
Salam everyone! Born as an American to two originally Arab parents, I have been raised and have spent most of my life in Beirut, Lebanon. I have lived my good times and my bad times in Beirut. I was but a young child when I had to learn to share my toys and food with others as we hid from bombs and fighting during the Lebanese Civil War. I feel my connection to Arabic as both a language and culture is severing and so it is with you, my readers and fellow Arabic lovers, and through you that I wish to reestablish this connection by creating one for you.
