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PHOTO CREDIT: Above photo by John Rickman Photography, San Jose, California. |
Habeeb el-Rouh
(Soul Lover)
This page contains a translation into English of the lyrics to "Habeeb El-Rouh", which was made popular by Claudia Shmaali. Her name is sometimes spelled "Clauda El Chemali" or "Kluda el-Shemali". The song title is sometimes spelled as "Habib el-Rouh." Also included on this page is a transliteration of the Arabic lyrics into the Roman alphabet so you can sing along if you like.
Lyrics
Arabic Lyrics |
English Translation |
| Ya habeeb elrouh naadi, ma bihmoul kilmeh tiradhi. | Oh, soul lover call, can not bear an acceptance word |
| Ya habeeb elrouh naadi, ma bihmoul kilmeh tiradhi. | Oh soul lover call, can not bear an acceptance word |
| Albi mish zaa'laan minnak, shoo biddak w-ziyaadeh. | My heart is not angry at you, whatever you want and more |
| Albi mish zaa'laan minnak, shoo biddak w-ziyaadeh. | My heart is not angry at you, whatever you want and more |
| Tlabti elalb a'ataiytak albi. Tlabti elhoub a'ataitak houbi. Tlabti elourb. Ithanna b-ourbi. Shoo baddak aktar min hayk. | You asked for the heart, I gave you my heart. You asked for the love, I gave my love, You asked to be near. Be happy with me near by. What do you want more than that? |
| Yomour amr a'alayyi albak bintour omro w-byebqa hibbak | Your heart commands me to wait for life and still loves you. |
| Fouk elhajar bkaffi darbbak le-mhimm wadeeni laik, le-mhimm wadeeni laik. | On top of the stones I will finish your road. The important thing is that the road leads me to you. The important thing is that the road leads me to you. |
| Tlabti elalb a'ataiytak albi. Tlabti elhoub a'ataitak houbi. Tlabti elourb. Ithanna b-ourbi. Shoo baddak aktar min hayk. | You asked for the heart, I gave you my heart. You asked for the love, I gave my love, You asked to be near. Be happy with me near by. What do you want more than that? |
| Yomour amr a'alayyi albak bintour omro w-byebqa hibbak | Your heart commands me to wait for life and still loves you. |
| Fouk elhajar bkaffi darbbak le-mhimm wadeeni laik, le-mhimm wadeeni laik. | On top of the stones I will finish your road. The important thing is that the road leads me to you. The important thing is that the road leads me to you. |
| Shaghel a'ayouni b-jamaalak. Saaken albi lahaalak. | You occupy my eyes with your beauty. You live in my heart alone. |
| Shaghel a'ayouni b-jamaalak. Saaken albi lahaalak. | You occupy my eyes with your beauty. You live in my heart alone. |
| Sawti a'a ismak habibi. Mawaal w-ghannalak. | My voice on your name, my darling and he sang a mawaal for you. |
| Sawti a'a ismak habibi. Mawaal w-ghannalak. | My voice on your name, my darling and he sang a mawaal for you. |
| Houbak nassa a'youni eldama'a, dhawa bi-a'itmet albi shama'a. Laow bitsahher a'aini jima'ah, tistahel ghamzet a'aiynak. | Your love made my eyes forget the tears, lighted my heart's darkness with a candle. If you make my eyes awake for awake, it is worth a wink from your eyes. |
| Bi-a'younak bahr mhayarni byoua'dni wma beykhabirni. W-hajeh a'a shaat mnatirni w-bahr a'younak taafi a'alaih. | In your eyes is a sea ,and it is getting me confused. He promises me and does not tell me. It is enough to keep me on the shore waiting and your eyes' sea is floating on it. |
| Houbak nassa a'youni eldama'a, dhawa bi-a'itmet albi shama'a. Laow bitsahher a'aini jima'ah, tistahel ghamzet a'aiynak. | Your love made my eyes forget the tears, lighted my heart's darkness with a candle. If you make my eyes awake for awake, it is worth a wink from your eyes. |
| Bi-a'younak bahr mhayarni byoua'dni wma beykhabirni. W-hajeh a'a shaat mnatirni w-bahr a'younak taafi a'alaih. | In your eyes is a sea ,and it is getting me confused. He promises me and does not tell me. It is enough to keep me on the shore waiting and your eyes' sea is floating on it. |
| Ya amar hal-layl saafer, houbi haddi elbaab naater. | Oh moon, travel this night. My love is waiting for you by the door. |
| Ya amar hal-layl saafer, houbi haddi elbaab naater. | Oh moon, travel this night. My love is waiting for you by the door. |
| Nada albi tayiftahlou. Albi aalou haadher. | He called for my heart to open for him. My heart says I am ready. |
| Nada albi tayiftahlou. Albi aalou haadher. | He called for my heart to open for him. My heart says I am ready. |
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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