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PHOTO CREDIT: Above photo by John Rickman Photography, San Jose, California. |
La Titnahad
(Do Not Sigh)
This page contains a translation into English of the lyrics to the popular Arabic song "La Titnahad", which was sung by Kazem El-Saher. His name is also sometimes spelled as Kadim al-Sahir or Kazem Al Shaher. Also included is a transliteration of the Arabic lyrics into the Roman alphabet so you can sing along if you like.
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. A native of Iraq, el Saher was trained in Baghdad's prestigious Music Academy. He 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. 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.
Listen to MP3 Clips of this Song
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Sung by Kadim al-Sahir |
Lyrics
Arabic Lyrics |
English Translation |
| Laaa, la titnahad. | No, don't you sigh. |
| Laaa, la titnahad. | No, don't you sigh. |
| Baa'd ish-waya el dhehka ita'oud. | After a while, the smile will return, |
| Wel nar elli if sadrak tibraad. | And the fire in your chest will cool. |
| Laaa, la titnahad. | No, no, don't you sigh. |
| Laaa, la titnahad. | No, don't you sigh. |
| Laaa, la titnahad. | No, don't you sigh. |
| Baa'd ish-waya el dhehka ita'oud. | After a while, the smile will return, |
| Wel nar elli if sadrak tibraad. | And the fire in your chest will cool. |
| Laaa, la titnahad. | No, no, don't you sigh. |
| La wallah. | Oh, I swear by god. |
| Ma a'andi ihdood li ihsaasi. | There are no limits to my feelings. |
| Ana a'ashek min kadami le raasi. | I'm in love from my heels to my head. |
| Ana kol lahza maa'ak atjaddad. | In every moment with you, I'm renewed. |
| La titnahad. | Don't you sigh ... No. |
| La wallah. | Oh, I swear by god. |
| Ma a'andi ihdood li ihsaasi. | There are no limits to my feelings. |
| Ana a'ashek min kadami le raasi. | I'm in love from my heels to my head. |
| Ana kol lahza maa'ak atjaddad. | In every moment with you, I'm renewed. |
| La titnahad. | Don't you sigh ... No. |
| Iw-la | And no. |
| La, la la, la titnahad. | No, no, no, no don't you sigh. |
| La, la la, la titnahad. | No, no, no, no don't you sigh. |
| Baad ish-waya el dhehka ita'oud. | After a while the smile will return, |
| Wel nar elli if sadrak tibraad. | And the fire in your chest will cool. |
| La, la la, la titnahad. | No, no, no, no don't you sigh. |
| Azkor leiyla, | I recall a night, |
| Azkor leiyla ma ghazaltak. | I recall a night I confessed my love. |
| Tarat fok ikhdoodi damia'tak. | Your tears flew over my cheeks, |
| La we ia'younak ma tetasad. | But I never meant for that. |
| La titnahad. | Don't sigh. |
| Azkor leiyla, | I recall a night, |
| Azkor leiyla ma ghazaltak. | I recall a night I confessed my love. |
| Tarat fok ikhdoodi damia'tak. | Your tears flew over my cheeks, |
| La we ia'younak ma tetasad. | But I never meant for that. |
| La titnahad. | Don't sigh. |
| Iw-la, la, la titnahad. | And no, no, don't you sigh. |
| La, la titnahad. | No, don't you sigh. |
| Baad ish-wayah el dhehka ita'oud. | After a while, the smile will return, |
| Wel nar elli if sadrak tibraad. | And the fire in your chest will cool. |
| La, la titnahad. | No, don't you sigh. |
| La, la, la, la, la titnahad. | No, no, no, don't you sigh. |
| La, la, la titnahad. | No, no, no don't you sigh. |
| Baad ish-wayah el dhehka ita'oud. | After a while, the smile will return, |
| Wel nar elli if sadrak tibraad. | And the fire in your chest will cool. |
| La, la, la, la titnahad. | No, no, no don't you sigh. |
| Aaah. | Aaah. |
| Iw-la, la, la titnahad. | And no, no, don't you sigh. |
| La, la titnahad. | No, don't you sigh. |
| Baad ish-wayah el dhehka ita'oud. | After a while, the smile will return, |
| Wel nar elli if sadrak tibraad. | And the fire in your chest will cool. |
| La, la titnahad. | No, don't you sigh. |
| La, la, la, la titnahad. | And no, no, don't you sigh. |
| La, la titnahad. | No, don't you sigh. |
| Baa'd ish-waya el dhehka ita'oud. | After a while, the smile will return, |
| Iw-la, la, la titnahad. | And no, no, don't you sigh. |
| La, la titnahad. | No, don't you sigh. |
| Baad ish-waya el dhehka ita'oud. | After a while, the smile will return, |
| Wel nar elli if sadrak tibraad. | And the fire in your chest will cool. |
| La, la, la, la titnahad. | No, no, no, don't you sigh. |
Where to Get Recordings of this Song
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Artist: Kazem Al Saher Amazon Store: |
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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