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PHOTO CREDIT: Above photo by John Rickman Photography, San Jose, California. |
Ya Bahiyya
O Bahiyya
This page contains the translation to the song lyrics of "Ya Baheyya". There is more than one song that uses this title. One is a traditional folk song that can be heard in Upper Egypt, and the other is a classical piece composed by Baligh Hamdi. These are entirely different pieces of music. The one used for this translation is the traditional folk song.
Maqam: Saba
Rhythm: Iqa Saidi
Music: Traditional
Listen to MP3 Clips of this Song
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Sung by the Abu Zariya Band on the album Music of the Fellahin produced by Aisha Ali |
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From the album Cairo Caravan Belly Dance with Dina by Hollywood Music Center. This exact same version also appears on the album Very Belly Dance by Maha. |
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From the album I Remember Egypt |
Lyrics
Arabic Lyrics |
English Lyrics |
Chorus: |
Refrain: |
| Ya Baheyya khabberini ya buya, 'Ale gatal Yasin | O Baheyya, tell me who killed Yasin |
| Gataluh-es-sud 'eneyya ya buya, Men fog dahr-el-hagin (2) | (She said) My black eyes as I was riding the camel. |
Verse 1: |
Verse 1: |
| Ya-khawati roddo 'aleyya Ana mali-w-mal Yasin (2) | O brothers answer me, what have I to do with Yasin |
| Di suretha meyya-l-meyya Fi galbi men senin | Her picture was a hundred percent in my heart for years. |
Verse 2: |
Verse 2: |
| 'Atshan (w) ma saguni We gulalhom malyanin (2) | I was thirsty and they gave me no water though their jars were full. |
| We-bnar-esh-shog kawuni Mehtar aruh le-min | With the fire of love they burned me with a hot iron. To whom shall I turn for help? |
Verse 3: |
Verse 3: |
| El-wa'de ya buy ramani We-msattar 'ag-gebin (2) | I am a victim of a false promise, it is written on my forehead |
| We Baheyya-msaharani Ma'a lel-el-ashegin | And Baheyya is keeping me awake. I am experiencing the sleepless night of the lovers. |
Verse 4: |
Verse 4: |
| Ya Baheyya-na asli sa'idi | O Baheyya, I am Upper Egyptian, |
| Wen-nas goddamek shahda | And the people around you are witnesses. |
| We-nhafez 'ala mawa'idi | I keep my promises, |
| Wet-toba aslaha wahda | And repentance happens only once. |
| Ana tayeb wen-nabi tayeb | I am repenting, O by the Prophet I am repenting |
| Khallina-shab we habayeb (2) | Let us remain friends and lovers. |
| We monaya-ttem-el-farha | My hope is that happiness is complete |
| Ma'a-buki-w-ne'ra-l-fatha | That I get a verbal agreement from your father. |
| We madad ya Genawi nazra | O, (Saint) Genawi, help me get a look |
| We 'aleh nehlef yamin. | On you I shall take an oath. |
Verse 5: |
Verse 5: |
| 'Abd-er-Rahim ya Genawi | O (Saint) 'Abd-al-Rahim, O (Saint) Genawi, |
| Mahsubak men senin (2) | I have been your obedient follower for years. |
| 'Al-fatha w Allah-na nawi Shellah Sedna-l-Hosen | By God, I intend to get the verbal agreement, O our master al-Husayn, Help! |
Where to Get Recordings of this Song
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Publisher: Aisha Ali Amazon Store: |
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Artist: Cairo Caravan Amazon Store: |
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Artist: Not Identified CD Title: I Remember Egypt Amazon Store: |
About the Translator
This translation was done by Dr. George Sawa for Yasmina Ramzy of Arabesque Academy of Toronto, Canada. I'd like to thank Yasmina for permission to share these song lyrics with you via my web site.
Dr. George Sawa was born in Alexandria, Egypt in 1947, where he completed his undergraduate studies in Western music and Classical Arabic music. In 1970, after immigrating to Canada, he completed graduate work at the University of Toronto, obtaining an MA in musicology and ethnomusicology at the Faculty of Music, and a PhD in Arabic historical musicology at the department of Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies. Since 1972, when he founded the Traditional Arabic Music Ensemble with Ebrahim Eleish, he has directed and performed with the ensemble all over North America, in both concert venues and in lecture demonstrations at universities and colleges. As a soloist, Dr. Sawa has also performed in Europe, in concerts and radio broadcasts. As well, he is frequently invited to international conferences for presentations and lectures on various aspects of medieval and modern Arabic music. At present he is directing the Centre For Studies in Middle Eastern Music.
Yasmina Ramzy has been performing, teaching, and choreographing Middle Eastern dance since 1981. She has toured extensively throughout Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, Greece, England, Mexico, the United States, and Canada as a soloist and with her company, sometimes performing for royalty and heads of state in many of these countries. She is the Artistic Director of Arabesque Academy, School of Culture-Specific Dance and the Arabesque Dance Company. Although Yasmina has dedicated her life to Middle Eastern dance, she also produces Gypsy and Dancenet which are culture-specific dance and music events with an educational slant. She is also a member of Canadian Alliance of Dance Artists and serves of the board of directors for Dance Ontario.