Marhaba! In a previous post I introduced you all to one of my favorite artists in the Arab world: Julia Boutros. By all means she is admired by millions in the Arab world and many expatriates living in different places across Europe, the United States of America, Canada and in Latin America. Given the fact that the world is watching how millions in Egypt took to the streets to voice their grievances against what they view as an illegitimate and biased government I would like to share another musical masterpiece by Julia called ‘Bitnaffas Hurriye (بتنفس حرية)’ which literally means ‘I Breathe Freedom.’ I have added a live performance of this beautiful song by Julia in form of a YouTube video. I have added the lyrics in Arabic and I have translated them into English for you to follow with the song and understand the meaning behind these profound lyrics.
Julia Boutros – I Breathe Freedom — جوليا بطرس – بتنفس حرية
انا بتنفس حرية ما تقطع عني الهوا
I breathe freedom, don’t cut off my air
ولا تزيدها كتير عليّ أحسن منوقع سوا
Don’t make it too much for me, it’s better we fall together
ما بتقدر ابدا تلغيني بدك تسمعني وتحكيني
You can never erase me, you need to listen to me and talk to me
واذا فكرك عم بيداويني مش هيدى هو الدوى
And if you think it’s curing me, this is not the remedy
يا ريتك مني بتسمع بيكفي كل اللي صار
If only you would listen to me, all that happened should be enough
القوة هي اللي بتوقع انوقفت بوجه الافكار
Force always falls, stopped in the face of ideas
هالدنيا بتسع للكل وحدها الحقيقة بتضل
This world is big enough for everyone, the truth alone remains
واذا بدك منلاقي الحل لولا منفكر سوا
And if you want us to find the solution, it will only happen if we think together
صوت الحرية بيبقى اعلى من كل الأصوات
The voice of freedom remains louder than all the voices
مهما تعصف ريح الظلم بيغطي الليل المسافات
Regardless of how the wind of oppression blows violently and the night covers the spaces
ما فيك تلون هالكون ع بعضه بذات اللون
You could never color the universe all the same color
وتبدل نظام الأرض وتغير مجرى الهوا
Or replace the order of the earth or change the current of the wind
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.
Comments:
Omair Hameed:
I enjoyed reading it.
It’s getting me interested in learning Arabic this way.
I do understand Arabic to some extent but to get further, this way seems good.
Comments:
Omair Hameed:
I enjoyed reading it.
It’s getting me interested in learning Arabic this way.
I do understand Arabic to some extent but to get further, this way seems good.
jesa:
@Tips to Learn Arabic Faster | Modern Standard Arabic Thanks for adding the link to our resources at Transparent.com.