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PHOTO CREDIT: Above photo by John Rickman Photography, San Jose, California. |
La Itkarraib Haddi!!
(Do Not Get Close to Me!!)
This page contains a translation into English of the lyrics to the Arabic song "La Itkarraib Haddi", which was sung by Lara Dabbagh. Also included is a transliteration of the Arabic lyrics into the Roman alphabet so you can sing along if you like.
Lyrics
Arabic Lyrics |
English Translation |
| Laou shift elward a'a-ishfaafi iw-khaddi shaa'laan izraar, laa it-karraib haddi, laa, laa it-karraib haddi, laa, laa it-karraib haddi, laa, laa it-karraib haddi, laa. Mean aalak baddi mean, ouaaa' bilnaar, oukaaa' bilnaar. | If you see the roses on my lips and cheeks springing buds, do not come close to me, no, do not come close to me, no, do not come close to me, no, do not come close to me, no. Who told you that I want to fall in the fire, fall in the fire. |
| Mean aallak titaarab thaghr ilhilween wi-itjaraib. | Who told you to get closer to the loved ones' lips and try? |
| Mean aallak titaarab thaghr ilhilween wi-itjaraib. | Who told you to get closer to the loved ones' lips and try? |
| Mean aallak titaarab thaghr ilhilween wi-itjaraib. | Who told you to get closer to the loved ones' lips and try? |
| Aalbi bahr ishtoutoh jdeedaih. Mowjaatou shahaa iw-tanhidaih. | My heart is a sea with new shores. His waves are sobs and sighs. |
| Iw-a'aiknouzou illi bit-dhalha iba'eidaih, ma ibyousal illa ilbahhar. | Its treasures remain far away and can not be reached except by sailors |
| La itkarraib haddi, wil-wain bitwaddi, no. | Do not get close to me and where are you going? No! |
| La itkarraib haddi, wil-wain bitwaddi, no. | Do not get close to me and where are you going? No! |
| Laou bayyan a'atf bi-nazraatou, baa'mail aatfeh min wardaati, wardaati. | If he showed sympathy in his looks, I would make him a bouquet from my roses, my roses. |
| Laou bayyan a'atf bi-nazraatou, baa'mail aatfeh min wardaati, wardaati. | If he showed sympathy in his looks, I would make him a bouquet from my roses, my roses. |
| Wardaati minni manhourah. Bitshoufha mafeek itzourha. Bitshim min ba'eid a'tourha, wi-wahdak bitkaffi el-mishwaar. | My roses are finicky. You can see them, but you can not visit. You smell their perfume from far away and you alone finish the road you are walking on. |
| Wardaati minni manhourah. Bitshoufha mafeek itzourha. Bitshim min ba'eid a'tourha, wi-wahdak bitkaffi el-mishwaar. | My roses are finicky. You can see them, but you can not visit. You smell their perfume from far away and you alone finish the road you are walking on. |
| La itkarraib haddi, wil-wain bitwaddi, no. | Do not get close to me and where are you going? No! |
| Mean aalak baddi mean, ouaaa' bilnaar, ouaaa' bilnaar. | Who told you that I want? Who? Fall in the fire, fall in the fire. |
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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