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PHOTO CREDIT: Above photo by John Rickman Photography, San Jose, California. |
El Tannoura
(The Skirt)
This page contains a translation into English of the lyrics to the hit song "El Tannoura", which was sung by the popular al jeel Lebanese vocalist Fares Karam. Also included is a transliteration of the Arabic lyrics into the Roman alphabet so you can sing along if you like. Other ways of spelling the song title are "Al Tanorah"
According to Lebanese dancer Suha Deeb, this cheeky song isn't so much about the girl dressing inappropriately as it is about her driving men crazy by flaunting her beauty for them to admire. The beat is a debke beat, and the song would probably be a popular choice for a Lebanese audience.
Music By: Salim Salamah
Lyrics
Arabic Lyrics |
English Translation |
Chorus: |
Chorus: |
| Eh Le b’2asir tanoura? | Why does she shorten her skirt? |
| Le b’2asir tanoura? | Why does she shorten her skirt? |
| B’ilha2 3ayoun il shabab | The boys follow her |
| Heye bi hala maghroura. | She is conceited. |
| Heye bi hala maghroura. | She is conceited. |
Verse 1: |
Verse 1: |
| Labi2la Ka3b il 3ali | The high-heeled shoes suit her. |
| Howa gharbi wi shamli | The northern and western breezes |
| Tanouret’ha jibra wa nus | Her skirt is very short, a handspan and a half. |
| Wa blouset’ha miltlal lel. | And her blouse is see-through. |
| La lel la lel la lel. | La lel la lel la lel. |
| Kul mat’khefet bi mashet’ha | All fear her when she walks. |
| 3am ta3ala tanouret’ha | She is shortening her skirt. |
| Gharet minha waj il bahar | The ocean waves are jealous of her |
| Wa janet la ma shafet’ha | And they go crazy when they see her. |
| Hali hali hali | Myself, myself, myself |
| Shofet riye shayekh shub | I see old men becoming young again |
| Wal khityara farfoura | And old women looking young again [literally, looking like dames] |
| Wal khityara farfoura | And old women looking young again |
Chorus |
Chorus |
| La lel la lel la lel | La lel la lel la lel |
| Hali hali hali | Myself, myself, myself |
Verse 2: |
Verse 2: |
| Asir ma bi hemma | The shortness doesn't worry her |
| La baya wa la 2ima | Nor her father nor her mother |
| Bet’hur is alb I shabab | She breaks the boys' hearts |
| Low dabou, akher hemma | And if they melt, that's the last of her concerns. |
| La lel la lel la lel | La lel la lel la lel |
| Kul ma watou, bit 3ali | The lower they go, the higher she gets |
| Kulon b’yisrokh “ya d2illi” | They all scream, "My goodness!" |
| Allah bi’waefilou | God waits for her |
| Rai2a yislam hal tali | He wishes to praise this beauty. |
| Hali hali hali | Myself, myself, myself |
| Imshi 3al il moda hay | Walking in this style |
| Heyi helwi wa ma3zoura | She is pretty, but forgiven for her looks |
| Heyi helwi wa ma3zoura | She is pretty, but forgiven for her looks |
Chorus |
Chorus |
Verse 3: |
Verse 3: |
| Dinyi narou sha3lani | The weather is very hot |
| Heyi mana se2lani | She is not concerned |
| Tanoura, 3al maylain | The skirt on both sides |
| Mayil bi haki tani | One end speaks to the other end |
| La lel la lel la lel | La lel la lel la lel |
| Imshe wa b’hes b’khasra | She walks, and you feel in her hips |
| Ka2na malaket 3asra | She is the modern queen |
| Wa blouset’ha mala zow | Her blouse has no buttons |
| Wa klet irba3 mekhtasra | And three quarters of it is off |
| Hali hali hali | Myself, myself, myself |
| Id’huki Ana bi leh’ha | I laugh and blame the August heat. |
| Mish ha2i 3al tanoura | It's not the skirt's fault. |
| Mish ha2i 3al tanoura | It's not the skirt's fault. |
Chorus |
Chorus |
About the Translator
This translation was created by Jamil, a male belly dancer based in Australia. Jamil has had a deep-seated passion for Arabic music his entire life. Being of Middle Eastern descent, Jamil has grown up with belly dancing pumping rapidly throughout his veins and considers it a way of life rather than purely an art. Jamil is known to many on the Internet as the moderator of the Raqs El Sharqi tribe on tribe.net. He has given permission for his translations to be included here on Shira.net. You can find his web site at www.jamilbellydancer.com.au. |
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