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{English Lyrics, to the bottom of text}
Taha's version of "Ya Rayah" is a classic example of a traditional song presented in a new fashion.
"Ya Rayah" begins with a short taqsim, improvisation, on the banjo instead of the ud that smoothly leads into the piece proper, which is characterized by a heavy down beat.
The song's popularity stems from its simple groove and summation of the new generation's plight, seeking freedom and a better life. Sung and released in Paris, "Ya Rayah" capitalizes on the ancient Algerian concept of mehna in its embodiment of Algerians' struggle, loss, and yearning to go back home.
Here, concepts like traveling and touring take on a gloomy destiny that lead to despair and loss. One can even draw connections between the "touring" star, its migration through the universe, and the exiled self of the Algerian people. Burdened by poverty and their constant search outside of Algeria for a better life, their spirit is in a constant state of travel, intensified by feelings of exile and departure. We can only imagine how such lyrics would strike a chord within the hearts of hundreds of thousands Algerian immigrants living away from home under conditions of displacement throughout Europe.
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Ya rayah win msafar trouh taaya wa twali
Chhal nadmou laabad el ghaflin qablak ou qabli Ya rayah win msafar trouh taaya wa twali
Chhal nadmou laabad el ghaflin qablak ou qabli
Chhal cheft al bouldan laamrine wa lber al khali
Chhal dhiyaat wqat chhal tzid mazal ou t'khali
Ya lghayeb fi bled ennas chhal taaya ma tadjri
Tzid waad el qoudra wala zmane wenta ma tedri
Ya rayah win msafar trouh taaya wa twali
Chhal nadmou laabad el ghaflin qablak ou qabli Ya rayah win msafar trouh taaya wa twali
Chhal nadmou laabad el ghaflin qablak ou qabli
Ya msafer naatik oussaayti addiha el bakri
Chouf ma yeslah bik qbal ma tbia ou ma techri
Ya nnayem djani khabrek ma sralek ma srali
Hakdha rad el qalb bel djbine sabhane el aali
Ya rayah win msafar trouh taaya wa twali
Chhal nadmou laabad el ghaflin qablak ou qabli Ya rayah win msafar trouh taaya wa twali
Chhal nadmou laabad el ghaflin qablak ou qabli
Ya rayah win msafar trouh taaya wa twali
Chhal nadmou laabad el ghaflin qablak ou qabli Ya rayah win msafar trouh taaya wa twali
Chhal nadmou laabad el ghaflin qablak ou qabli
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English Lyrics:
Oh departing Traveler, where are you heading?
Your journey is bound to failure
How many travelers before you
Have sought the path with similar results?
How many cities and deserts have I roamed?
How much time have I wasted
Touring from one place to another?
Oh lost one, no matter how much you run away
Your destiny will end in exhaustion
Time has passed you by
And you have yet to notice it.
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translation of abdul kader & ya rayah
Linear Mode
