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PHOTO CREDIT: Above photo by John Rickman Photography, San Jose, California. |
Noura Ya Noura
(Noura Oh Noura)
This page contains a translation into English of the lyrics to the Arabic song "Noura Ya Noura", using the version that was recorded by Hameed Al-Shaaria'i. The singer's name is sometimes spelled "Hamid El Sha'eri" or "Hamid El Shari". Also included is a transliteration of the Arabic lyrics into the Roman alphabet so you can sing along if you like.
The song has also been recorded by Farid al-Atrache in Egypt and George Abdo in the U.S. In the 1940's, Egypt's thriving movie industry made Farid, a native of Syria, a major star throughout the Arabic-speaking world. Aficionados of raqs sharqi (the Egyptian name for belly dance) particularly think of Farid al-Atrache in connection with the six movies he made which co-starred Samia Gamal from 1947 through 1952. Many of his songs remain popular today, and continue to be used by many raqs sharqi performers throughout the world.
Farid al-Atrache is one of four vocalists who have achieved legendary status in Egyptian music. The other three are Oum Kalthoum, Mohammed Abdel Wahab, and Abdel Halim Hafez.
The song title sometimes is spelled as "Noora Ya Noora", "Noura Noura", or "Noora Noora".
Noura is a woman's name.
Listen to MP3 Clips of this Song
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Sung by George Abdo |
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Sung by Brothers of the Baladi |
Lyrics
Note from Shira: Three different translations of this song have been contributed to this web site. I have decided to make all available. Song lyrics are poetry, and it can be challenging for a translator to communicate nuances of meaning. By having multiple translations to use, you can explore different people's ideas on how to convey these nuances.
- Tahseen Alkoudsi
- Adel Abdallah, made available to this web site by Lennie Clark.
- From Linda Grondahl, made available to this web site by Lennie Clark.
Tahseen Alkoudsi's Version
Arabic Lyrics |
English Translation |
| Noura, Noura aw ya Noura | Noura, Noura, oh yaa Noura. |
| Ya warda nadia if ban Noura | O' rose in a vase. |
| Noura, Noura aw ya Noura | Noura, Noura, oh yaa Noura. |
| Ya warda nadia if ban Noura | O' rose in a vase. |
| Ismake a'ala rasmake soura, bil-amara ya ya ammoura | Your name is a photo of your shape like a moon oh you moon-like one. |
| Ismake a'ala rasmake soura, bil-amara ya ya ammoura | Your name is a photo of your shape like a moon oh you moon-like one. |
| Noura, Noura, Noura, Noura, Noura, Noura yaa Noura | Noura, Noura, Noura, Noura, Noura, Noura oh Noura |
| Noura, Noura aw ya Noura | Noura, Noura, oh yaa Noura. |
| Ya warda nadia if ban Noura | O' rose in a vase. |
| Noura, Noura aw ya Noura | Noura, Noura, oh yaa Noura. |
| Ya warda nadia if ban Noura | O' rose in a vase. |
| Noura ya ismi a'ala imsamma | Noura, a name fits your personality. |
| A'ishti inti iw-a'aash mean samma | God gives you long life and the one who gave you the name. |
| Noura ya ismi a'ala imsamma | Noura, a name fits your personality. |
| A'ishti inti iw-a'aash mean samma | God gives you long life and the one who gave you the name. |
| Ya naseem ghadhbaan, ya dhameer jazaab, iw-mafeesh awsaaf too-feeki elhaq ya ammourah. | Oh mad breeze, close conscious. There are no description that be close to reality, oh moon-like. |
| Noura, Noura, Noura, Noura, Noura, Noura yaa Noura | Noura, Noura, Noura, Noura, Noura, Noura oh Noura |
| Noura, Noura aw ya Noura | Noura, Noura, oh yaa Noura. |
| Ya warda nadia if ban Noura | O' rose in a vase. |
| Noura, Noura aw ya Noura | Noura, Noura, oh yaa Noura. |
| Ya warda nadia if ban Noura | O' rose in a vase. |
| Ismake a'ala rasmake laayeaa, ya nada ilsibhiyyah el- rayyeaa. | Your name fits your features, oh clear morning dew. |
| Ismake a'ala rasmake laayeaa, ya nada ilsibhiyyah el- rayyeaa. | Your name fits your features, oh clear morning dew. |
| Ya layaali ila'eid, min ghair mawaa'eid, iw-abou hazzi saa'eid, illi it-hinni a'alaih ya Noura. | Oh alone on a feast night. And the guy that you are attracted to is with a great and happy luck, oh Noura. |
| Noura, Noura, Noura, Noura, Noura, Noura yaa Noura | Noura, Noura, Noura, Noura, Noura, Noura oh Noura |
| Noura, Noura aw ya Noura | Noura, Noura, oh yaa Noura. |
| Ya warda nadia if ban Noura | O' rose in a vase. |
| Noura, Noura aw ya Noura | Noura, Noura, oh yaa Noura. |
| Ya warda nadia if ban Noura | O' rose in a vase. |
| Ismake a'ala rasmake soura, bil-amara ya ya ammoura | Your name is a photo of your shape like a moon oh you moon-like one. |
| Ismake a'ala rasmake soura, bil-amara ya ya ammoura | Your name is a photo of your shape like a moon oh you moon-like one. |
| Noura, Noura, Noura, Noura, Noura, Noura yaa Noura | Noura, Noura, Noura, Noura, Noura, Noura oh Noura |
| Noura, Noura aw ya Noura | Noura, Noura, oh yaa Noura. |
| Ya warda nadia if ban Noura | O' rose in a vase. |
| Ya warda nadia if ban Noura | Noura, Noura, oh yaa Noura. |
Adel Abdallah's Version
Noura, Noura
You are a beautiful rose
Your name is on a beautiful painting
Like a beautiful moon
You are a name with a meaning
A beautiful breath
Bless who named you
Bless who created you perfectly
Noura, Noora
Oh night, oh night
Whoever Noura will like
He will be the luckiest one
Linda Grondahl
Linda received this translation / transliteration from an old friend.
Arabic Lyrics |
English Translation |
| Noura, Noura, ya Noura | Noura, Noura, oh Noura |
| Ya warda nadeya fi banoora | You are a pretty flower in a vase |
| Esmek ala rasmek sora | Your name is great meaning and picture |
| Mal-amaraya ya amorah | From the moon you are a moon |
| Noura, Noura, ya Noura | Noura, Noura, oh Noura |
| Noora ya esm ala mosama | Noora your name is typical perfect |
| El layl be yabe's nahar | The night with your name became day |
| Aesht inti weaash min sama | Long life for you and long life for who gives you the name |
| Ya amirah ala el nowar | You are princess of light |
| Ya naseem rafaf | You are breeze of air |
| Ya sheaber shafaf | You are the best |
| Wala feesh awsaf | Nobody better than you |
| Tewfeeki el ha'e ya Noora | No words can describe you enough |
| Ya helwu ya ely el hava hafhef ala topek | You sweet-- the wind now your dress |
| Agheer alek min elhawa | I get jealous from your dress |
| We ahsed alek topek magroh | I'm wounded with no medicine to cure me |
| We malik dawa ya alb mak tobek | |
| Esmek ala rasmek laya'e sobehan | Your name suits you |
| men abedaa rasmek | The great God made you |
| Ya nada el sobehya lel ray'a | Early morning mist |
| Esm Alah ya Noora ala esmek | For somebody who has a good mood |
| Ya layli el aead-men gheer naweed-abo haz saaed | Oh feast nights with no time, You will be lucky |
| Eli tehen aleh Noora | If Noora likes him |
| Noora Noora ya Noora | Noura, Noura, oh Noura |
Where to Get Recordings of this Song
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Artist: George Abdo Amazon Store: |
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Artist: George Abdo Amazon Store: |
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Artist: Brothers of the Baladi Amazon Store: |
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Artist: Farid al-Atrache Amazon Store: |
Translations of
George Abdo's Songs on this Site
Translations of
Farid al-Atrache's Songs on This Site
About the Translator Adel Abdallah
Adel Abdallah is an Egyptian who resides in New Orleans, Louisiana. If you are traveling to that great city, he invites you to stop by the Cafe Picasso, located at 3401 Chartres (on the corner of Chartres and Desire, in the Bywater). The cafe serves delicious Middle Eastern food, and offers shiisha smoking. They are open daily except for Sundays, from 10 A.M. to 6 P.M. (Deliveries until 10 P.M.) The phone number is (504) 948-6881.
The translation summary was done by Adel at Lennie Clark's request. Muchisimas gracias to Kruz, (whose Morocco to India ethnic boutique, located in the historic French Quarter, is not-to-be-missed) for suggesting Adel as a translator.
About the Contributor Linda Grondahl
Linda Grondahl's background is that of a devoted lover of Arabic music and dance. She danced with Amina and the Aswan Dancers for many years. She took Arabic percussion with Mary Ellen Donald, Su Su Pampanin, George Dubai, Vince Deldado, and Tony Lammam. She took Arabic singing from Nicole Ibrahim, Mimi Spencer, Georges Lammam. On the oud, she studied under Nazir Latouf, Mimi Spencer, Abdullah Kdough. She was a member of the Aswat Arab-American Choir under the direction of Elias Lammam. She is now a member of the El Ashaab dance troupe, and Tahneen, the all-girl, all-American Middle eastern music ensemble. They have played for Arab and American events, and for many years at the Rakassah festival.
"I just saved whatever I could get my hands on, for years", writes Linda, "and really don't know why. It was always so dificult to get music, so I just kept on saving."
Linda lives in San Francisco, California. Her favorite color is any shade of purple.
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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