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PHOTO CREDIT: Above photo by John Rickman Photography, San Jose, California. |
Atshana
(I Am Thirsty)
This page contains a translation into English of the lyrics to "Atshana," sometimes spelled "A'Atshanaih", which was made popular by the Lebanese singer Najwa Karam. Her name is often spelled "Nagwa Karam" by Egyptians. Also included is a transliteration of the Arabic lyrics into the Roman alphabet so you can sing along if you like.
| Najwa Karam was born February 26, 1966 in Zahle, Lebanon, with three brothers and a sister. Her career was launched in 1985 when she won a gold medal when she participated in the Layali Loubnan television program. Her first hit, which led to her popularity in the Arab world, was Ma Bessmahlak. Her favorite singers are Fairuz, Wadih Al Safi, Oum Kalthoum, and Abdel Halim Hafez. |  |
Lyrics: Imad Shams El Deen
Music: Imad Shams El Deen
Listen to MP3 Clips of this Song
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Sung by Najwa Karam |
Lyrics
Arabic Lyrics |
English Translation |
| Atshana, iskini. | I am thirsty, give me a drink. |
| Bardanaih, daffini. | I am cold, warm me up. |
| Atshana, iskini. | I am thirsty, give me a drink. |
| Bardanaih, daffini. | I am cold, warm me up. |
| Hayraanaih. Waaseani. Ya dhana a’aini. | I am confused. Sympathize with me. O’ my weary eyes. |
| Atshana, iskini, iskini. | I am thirsty, give me a drink, give me a drink. |
| Bardanaih, daffini. | I am cold, warm me up. |
| Hayraanaih. Waaseani. Ya dhana a’aini. | I am confused. Sympathize with me. O’ my weary eyes. |
| Ya rabbi itkoun hawaana. | O’ God be our love, and light up our sky. |
| Iw-tidhwi bilnour samana. | O’ God be our love, and light up our sky. |
| Ya rabbi itkoun hawaana. | O’ God be our love, and light up our sky. |
| Iw-tidhwi bilnour samana. | O’ God be our love, and light up our sky. |
| Iw-a’ain ilhasood tinsana. Yaha, Yahaaaa. | And the evil eye of jealousy not notice us. Yaha, Yahaaaa. |
| Ya rabbi itkoun hawaana. | O’ God be our love, and light up our sky. |
| Iw-tidhwi bilnour samana. | O’ God be our love, and light up our sky. |
| Iw-a’ain ilhasood tinsana. Yaha, Yaha, Yahay. La, la, la, la, laaa. | And the evil eye of jealousy not notice us. Yaha, Yaha, Yahay. La, la, la, la, laaa. |
| A’atshanaih, iskini, iskini. | I am thirsty, give me a drink, give me a drink. |
| Bardanaih, daffini. | I am cold, warm me up. |
| Hayraanaih. Waaseani. Ya dhana a’aini. | I am confused. Sympathize with me. O’ my weary eyes. |
| Ma baddi iksour tihdini. Wah-dough ha-wak yikfini. | I don’t want you to give me palaces. Your love alone is enough. |
| Ma baddi iksour tihdini. Wah-dough ha-wak yikfini. | I don’t want you to give me palaces. Your love alone is enough. |
| Aalbak hanoon, yirdhini. Yehe, yehaay. La, La, La, La, La. | Your compassionate heart is enough for me. Yehey, Yehaay. La, La, La, La, La. |
| Ma baddi iksour tihdini. Wah-dough ha-wak yikfini. | I don’t want you to give me palaces. Your love alone is enough. |
| Aalbak hanoon, yirdhini. Yehe, yehaay. La, La, La, La, La. | Your compassionate heart is enough for me. Yehey, Yehaay. La, La, La, La, La. |
| A’atshanaih, iskini. | I am thirsty, give me a drink. |
| Bardanaih, daffini. | I am cold, warm me up. |
| Hayraanaih. Waaseani. Ya dhana a’aini. | I am confused. Sympathize with me. O’ my weary eyes. |
| La, la, la. La, la, la. La, la, la. | La, la, la. La, la, la. La, la, la. |
| A’atshanaih, iskini. | I am thirsty, give me a drink. |
| Bardanaih, daffini. | I am cold, warm me up. |
| Hayraanaih. Waaseani. Ya dhana a’aini. | I am confused. Sympathize with me. O’ my weary eyes. |
Where to Get Recordings of this Song
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Artist: Nagwa Karam Amazon Store: |
Translations of
Nagwa Karam's Songs on this Site
About the Translator
More than 80 song translations that appear on this web site, including this one, were created by Tahseen Alkoudsi. Together with his wife Kathe, Tahseen owned an import business in Lawrence, Kansas known as Cartouche.
Sadly, Tahseen died on Sunday, October 15, 2006. See this link for his obituary.
To me, Tahseen was so much more than a contributor to my web site. Even though we lived far apart, I saw Tahseen and Kathe several times over the years. I always appreciated their warmth and generosity. I first "met" Tahseen online back in 1997 on the med-dance list on the Internet, where he periodically posted messages. I knew he was in Lawrence, Kansas, so when a business trip arose requiring me to travel to the Kansas City area, I emailed him to say I'd be in the neighborhood. He and Kathe came to Kansas City for an evening get-together at Tasso's restaurant, and they invited several local dancers to join us. I saw them on follow-up visits to Kansas City. They vended at Rakkasah for several years, and it was always a pleasure to greet them there in the anteroom off to the left of the main stage. I also enjoyed encountering them in Egypt at the Ahlan wa Sahlan festival. Tahseen will be missed by many. |
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