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عبرت الشط
Abart el-Shat

(I Crossed the River)

 

 

This page contains a translation into English of the lyrics to the Iraqi song "Abart el-Shat", which was composed and performed by Kazem el-Saher.

  • Abart el Shat (I Crossed the River), 1989
  • Song Title in Arabic: عبرت الشط
  • Album: Ghazal 
  • Lyricist: Mohamed Sharhan
  • Composer: Kazem el-Saher
  • Original Artist: Kazem el-Saher

Song lyrics are provided for educational purposes. If you like the song, please purchase either the album or a download from an authorized source.

About this Song

In 1988, Kazem al-Saher's final year at the Institute of Music, he composed "Abart el Shat". Some of the professors objected, calling it lowly "contemporary sha'abi" music. Fortunately, other professors supported his work, and recognized his potential as a promising composer.

When this song was released, it became a major hit, not only in Iraq, but also throughout the Arabic-speaking world.

About Kazem el-Saher

Kazem el-Saher is an Iraqi singer, composer, and songwriter, sometimes known by the nickname "The Caesar of Arabic music". Over the course of his career, he has achieved spectacular success throughout the Arabic-speaking world and beyond. His biggest hit has been Ana Wa Laila.

When el-Saher was growing up, he was influenced by hearing music on the radio by composers such as Mohamed Abdel Wahab. He started learning to play guitar as a child, then later switched to oud. At age 21, he enrolled in the prestigious Baghdad Institute of Music and studied there approximately 6 years.

El-Saher found it difficult to break into the music business because he wanted to perform his own compositions, whereas music producers were more interested in artists who would perform their material. He collaborated with a friend who happened to be a television director to create a music video featuring one of his own songs, "Ladghat El Hayya". It was broadcast on Iraqi television in 1987, immediately generating controversy due to the content of its lyrics. A year later he released another hit, "Abart Al Shat".

After moving to Lebanon in 1996, el-Saher teamed up with Syrian poet Nizar Qabbani, who served as his lyricist on more than 30 songs. By 1998, el-Saher had released 10 albums and elevated his reputation from "pop star" to "artist". He won a UNICEF award for his song "Tathakkar", which he was invited to perform for the U.S. Congress and the United Nations.

El-Saher began his career as a songwriter creating music for other Iraqi singers, but eventually moved on to become a recording artist in his own right. He relocated to Cairo, Egypt, and built a following as the voice of Iraqi exiles.

Kazem el Saher has often been compared to legendary Egyptian singer Abdel Halim Hafez because of his emotive singing style. Like Hafez, he has also been a heartthrob in the eyes of many young Arab women. Al-Saher has been at the forefront of a return to romantic classicism in Arabic music, steering clear of the pop sound that is so prevalent today. El-Saher is known for his perfectionism and attention to detail, and praised for his non-traditional use of long-forgotten maqamat (musical building blocks) in his compositions.

El-Saher has released over 20 albums, toured the world, and achieved international popularity.

Other ways to spell his name include "Kathem el-Saher" and "Kadim Al Sahir".

 

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Lyrics

Numbers in parentheses refer to footnotes that appear at the bottom of the translation.

Arabic Lyrics

English Translation

يا كاس العمر ما ظلت وش اللي بيك Oh cup of life, what is left?
ويا جرحي أش وقت تنزف وش اللي بيك Oh my wound how long will you bleed?
يقلي ليش متعذب وهو سبب She asks me, "Why are you feeling bitter?" She's the reason.
كل الل صار بيه يا ويلي She's responsible for everything that happened to me, oh my.
   

Chorus

Chorus

عبرت الشط على مودك وخليتك على راسي I crossed the river for you, I carried you on my head.
كل غطه أحس بالموت وبقوه أشهق أنفاسي With each dip, I felt as though I was drowning, I could hardly hold my breath.
وسميتك أعز ناسي You are my dearest person.
عبرت الشط على مودك وخليتك على راسي I crossed the river for you, I carried you on my head.
كل غطه أحس بالموت وبقوه أشهق أنفاسي With each dip, I felt as though I was drowning, I could hardly hold my breath.
وسميتك أعز ناسي You are my dearest person.
كل هذا وقلت أمرك أحلى من العسل مرك Despite all that, I'm all yours, and for me, your bitterness is sweeter than honey.
وين تريد أروح وياك بس لا تجرح إحساسي Wherever you want to go, I'll go with you, but don't hurt my feelings.
   
أمر عيوني بعيونك وأنت عيونك لغيري I catch your eye, but your eyes are looking at someone else.
فضلتك على روحي وضاع وياك تفكيري I loved you more than my own soul, and my thoughts got lost with you.
أمر عيوني بعيونك وأنت عيونك لغيري I catch your eye, but your eyes are looking at someone else.
فضلتك على روحي وضاع وياك تفكيري I loved you more than my own soul, and my thoughts got lost with you.
قول أش قصرت وياك وش تطلب بعد أكثر Tell me if what I did wasn't enough for you. What more do you want me to do?
   
على كفوفي تنام الليل وأقول إرتاح وأنا أسهر You sleep on my hands all night, and I tell you to relax while I stay awake all night for you.
قول أش قصرت وياك وش تطلب بعد أكثر Tell me if what I did wasn't enough for you. What more do you want me to do?
على ذراعي تنام الليل واقول إرتاح وأنا أسهر You sleep on my arm all night, and I tell you to relax while I stay awake all night for you.
   

Chorus

Chorus

عبرت الشط على مودك وخليتك على راسي I crossed the river for you, I carried you on my head.
كل غطه أحس بالموت وبقوه أشهق أنفاسي With each dip, I felt as though I was drowning, I could hardly hold my breath.
وسميتك أعز ناسي You are my dearest person.
كل هذا وقلت أمرك أحلى من العسل مرك Despite all that, I'm all yours, and for me, your bitterness is sweeter than honey.
وين تريد أروح وياك بس لا تجرح إحساسي Wherever you want to go, I'll go with you, but don't hurt my feelings.
   
وصلت لشاطي أحلامك بتضحيتي وسهر ليلي I reached the beach of your dreams with my sacrifices and staying awake through my nights.
ولا مرة قلت ممنون وأنا اللي منهدم حيلي You didn't say "thank you" even once, while I ruined my life for you.
وصلت لشاطي أحلامك بتضحيتي وسهر ليلي I reached the beach of your dreams with my sacrifices and staying awake through my nights.
ولا مرة قلت ممنون وأنا اللي منهدم حيلي You didn't say "thank you" even once, while I ruined my life for you.
قول أش قصرت وياك وش تطلب بعد أكثر Tell me if what I did wasn't enough for you. What more do you want me to do?
   
على كفوفي تنام الليل وأقول إرتاح وأنا أسهر You sleep on my hands all night, and I tell you to relax while I stay awake all night for you.
قول أش قصرت وياك وش تطلب بعد أكثر Tell me if what I did wasn't enough for you. What more do you want me to do?
على صدري أنام في الليل وأستريح بينما أسهر You sleep on my chest all night, and I tell you to relax while I stay awake all night for you.
   

Chorus

Chorus

عبرت الشط على مودك وخليتك على راسي I crossed the river for you, I carried you on my head.
كل غطه أحس بالموت وبقوه أشهق أنفاسي With each dip, I felt as though I was drowning, I could hardly hold my breath.
كل هذا وقلت أمرك أحلى من العسل مرك Despite all that, I'm all yours, and for me, your bitterness is sweeter than honey.
وين تريد أروح وياك بس لا تجرح إحساسي Wherever you want to go, I'll go with you, but don't hurt my feelings.
   
وخليتك على راسي I carried you on my head.
وسميتك أعز ناسي You are my dearest person.

 

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Where to Get Recordings of this Song

 

Artist: Various
CD Title: 50 All Time Greatest Belly Dance Hits

 

Artist: Setrak Sarkissian
CD Title: Champagne Belly Dance, Setrak Volume 18

 

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Translations of
Kazem el-Saher's Songs On This Site

Translations on this web site of songs performed by Kazem el-Saher include:

 

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