My Home - عنواني

Something is coming up, so insyAllah I'll have more time on my hands to work on language learning projects. For now, this is a song that was recently released by Zap Tharwat, Sodfa Band, Kazaz & Mohamed Sweid. Songs can sure be tricky when translating, I'm sticking to the Arabic as close as I can for language learning purposes.

The song has English translation in it, but it's either I can't see them all, or some parts are missing. I copied one line from their version because I'm thinking maybe it carries their intention for the meaning. As always, comments & questions are most welcome. ^_^

عنواني

 My Home

قالوا لي في صغري في صِبايا

They told me in my childhood, my youth

فداها شهيد هي الغاية

A martyr’s death is a goal

يا قدس يا ريت تسامحيني

O Jerusalem, please forgive me

ده ظلم سنين عمى عيني

It’s the injustice of so many years that blinded my eyes

وعمي قلبي عن الواقع

And blinded my heart from the reality

وخلّاني أكون بايع

And made me sell (the cause)

نسيت والعمر نسّاني

I forgot and life made me forget

نسيت وضعفي بكّاني

I forgot and my weakness made me cry

وييجي في حلمي يهمسلي

And it comes to me in my dream, whispering to me

مايفزعني، لكن كلامه يوجعني

It doesn’t frighten me, but its words hurt

أموت أنا فدى بلادي

I’ll die for my land

لكن الأصل بينادي

But the origin calls

(In the video it says: But the true source is calling for those willing to keep living)

ده عدّى العمر مش باقي أنا في عمري كتير باقي

Time has passed with not much left, but there’s a lot left of my life (time)

بصوت عالي ومن تاني فلسطين دي عنواني

In a loud voice, once again, Palestine is my home

شايف صلاح الجيل واقف على بابك

I see the righteousness of the generation standing at your door

حاشد جيوش ثوار واقفين على عتابك

Gathering armies of rebels standing at your door step

بيحطموا الأسوار آلاف من الثوار

Thousands of revolutionaries breaking the barriers

خلونا ناخد حقنا خلاص بقينا أحرار

Let us take our right, for at last, we’re free

دخلوا على الأقصى وصلوا ركعتيين

They entered Al-Aqsa and prayed two rak`ahs (prayed a prayer)

مشهد من القصة هنشوفه يوم بالعين

A scene from the story we will see one day with our own eyes

أنا لسة فاكر من سنة واحنا هنا واقفين

I can still remember a year ago when we were standing here

في جيشك واقف أنا جنبي صلاح الدين

Among your army I stood along Salahudin (Saladin)

حالة من عشق لترابك

A state of deep love for your soil

حالفين لهناخد بـتارك

We swear to avenge you

حلفنا منسيبك هنا

We swore we wouldn’t leave you here

I dream ♪

Need to look more at the bright side. The revolution helped us get over our fears, let them not come back and take over our lives. This song is inspired by Egy2020, sung by ZAP Tharwat, Hany Adel (Voice of Freedom) & Cairokee. Naturally it's in Egyptian Arabic. ^_^

مبروك ولادة الجيل

Congratulations the birth of the generation

مبروك بقى اسمي

Congratulations has become my name

مبروك علينا النيل

Congratulations the Nile

يروي شروخ جسمي

Watering the cracks in my body

مبروك أنا فرحان

Congratulations I’m happy

متلخبط أتكلم

I’m confused to talk

بالريشة والألوان

With the brush and colors

للظرف أنا مزين

I decorated the envelope

كاتب لبكرة جواب

I’m writing a letter to tomorrow

وباعته لعنواني

And sending it to my address

واصف في بكرة حاجات

I’m describing things in tomorrow

أتمنى تلقاني

That I hope will find me

واصف شجاعة جيل

I’m describing the bravery of a generation

واصف غنى ومواويل

Describing singing and folk songs

واصف محبة تساع

Describing love that is enough

من الخلق بالملايين

For millions of people

واصف فانوس مكسور من عركة امبارح

Describing a broken lamp from yesterday’s fight

واصف ولد بيثور ع الظلم مش سامح

Describing a boy who revolts against injustice and doesn’t allow it

واصف ودمعي يزيد لما أفتكر أكتر

Describing and my tears increase the more I remember

واصف وفرجه قريب بس احنا نتغير

Describing and His relief is near if we’d just change

بحلم كتير أجري وأطير

I dream a lot of running and flying

في سما واسعة كلها خير

In a vast sky full of good

معايا ناسي وأحبابي

With me are my people and loved ones

وأنسى عذابي

And I forget my suffering

مبروك وبتمنى

Congratulations and I’m wishing

كاتب كتير جوابات

Writing a lot of letters

مبروك وحاستنى

Congratulations and I’ll wait

ده العمر لسه ما فات

Life isn’t over yet

أتمنى أشوف في بلادي

I wish to see in my country

العدل شيء عادي

Justice is the norm

وأتمنى أشوف الحاضر

I wish to see the present

يمحي أسى الماضي

Erase the sorrow of the past

أتمنى أشوف الطالب

I wish to see the student

حاضن لكراسه

Hugging his notebook

وأتمنى أشوف الظابط

I wish to see the (police) officer

رافع لفوق راسه

Holding his head high

أتمنى أشوف عالم

I wish to see a scientist

وأتمنى أشوف فلاح

And wish to see a farmer

أتمنى أشوف الراجل

I wish to see the man

في العيشة بقى مرتاح

Become comfortable in life

ده الصبح هو حياته

Morning is his life

راح تحلم ايه تاني؟

What else would you dream of?
راح تحلم ايه تاني؟

What else would you dream of?

راح تحلم ايه تاني؟

What else would you dream of?

بحلم كتير أجري وأطير

I dream a lot of running and flying

في سما واسعة كلها خير

In a vast sky full of good

معايا ناسي وأحبابي

With me are my people and loved ones

وأنسى عذابي

And I forget my suffering

احلم وقوم حقك

Dream and rise.. it’s your right

أحلم وأنا مصدق

I dream while believing

أحلم وقبل ما أحلم

I dream and before dreaming

الحلم يتحقق

The dream comes true

احلم وقول

Dream and say

اللي جواك

What’s inside you

بحلم كتير أجري وأطير

I dream a lot of running and flying

في سما واسعة كلها خير

In a vast sky full of good

معايا ناسي وأحبابي

With me are my people and loved ones

وأنسى عذابي

And I forget my suffering

I dream of being freeeeeee!!

Sick, Tired & Afraid

The constitutional referendum's result was bitter sweet. On the one hand, Egyptians have their say for the first time in God only knows how many years. On the other hand, it's sad to see so many people voting without having at least read the constitutional amendments or without quite knowing why they're are voting for one thing or the other.

I saw an article in the newspaper yesterday about what one sheikh has said about the referendum's result. I didn't take it too seriously because newspapers like to take things out of context or blow things up sometimes. But then I saw the video mentioned in the article and seeing is totally different from reading. 

He talks about the referendum as the "battle of the (voting) boxes". He was saying that people voted "yes" to religion (in reference to article no. 2* in the constitution). Those those who are upset about this or say that they can't live like this in the country can leave. Go to Canada or USA. He says we're not upset with those who said "no", but they now know their status and position.

He said it surprised him that some brothers were for "no" because they don't agree to patching the constitution. He replies to them that the issue isn't the constitution. The issue is that people have become two camps. The camp of religion with all the sheikh (scholars), the Muslim Brotherhood, the tableegh, the salafis etc. saying yes. And on the other hand the other people. So you'd look bad to be on the side that doesn't have the sheikhs. 

Even if you are against of this constitution. What's the constitution going to do for us? There are times when the sheikh says yes, and hence you say yes too, even if it's not to your liking. He said, "I'm not telling you to follow me when I'm doing something wrong. But have confidence that when it comes to religious matters, I would never choose for your except what pleases Allah."

That's what he said. Why have the amendments boiled down to article no.2 which wasn't touched? Whether the referendum's result is "yes' or "no", there would be a new constitution, so what difference does it make? "Yes" would stop people from discussing article no.2? How's that? And what does discussing the article mean? It's not going to be changed simply because people bring it up or discuss it. It's too sensitive an issue to be dealt with that way.

And what does it mean that those who voted "yes" voted for religion? Those who voted "no" are against religion? Before the referendum on March 19th, some groups came out saying that it's our religious duty to vote "yes". Our religious duty is to vote, I agree. But a religious obligation to vote for a certain thing?! A friend told about how she came across a guy using verses from the Qur'an to show how it supports the vote for "yes". o_O

If it were just one person talking like this, it wouldn't be so bad. But to hear it from a lot of people, especially if it comes from people who can influence people. This is scary. What's next?

I believe Islam and politics shouldn't be separated because I believe laws shouldn't go against religion and can't see why politics can't be clean. But if this is how it's going to be then I understand what people are saying about separating state and religion. I don't think we don't have the fear of the "church" (we don't have an equivalent in Islam) abusing power. I think this is more like abusing religion for whatever reason. I don't think some of these groups are after power, it may be more due to their understanding of what's happening.

We still have a long way to go, many more elections to come in the next couple years. In some estimates 4 times, some say 6 times, and even heard of 9 times. We have a high illiteracy rate, but I think an even higher rate of lack of political awareness. There's a lot of work to be done in little time.

Today, the newspaper published this sheikh's response to criticisms on his speech (video). He said that he was joking and what he said shouldn't be taken seriously. He also said that the other people turned the referendum into a religious battle.


The problem isn't with one or two individuals and what they say. Even jokes aren't jokes to everyone who hears them. I think we need to be careful with our wording because what you say first is what people remember, further explanations usually fall on deaf ears.


Another point regarding the religious "battle", it doesn't matte who turned it into a religious battle. It wasn't supposed to be one & just because one group brings up religion, doesn't mean we follow suit. It's the same idea as those who said we're voting "x" because so-and-so said "y". We're not going to be in the same boat. o_O Two wrongs don't make a right.

I've been too tired lately to really feel anything, or maybe I'm not following the news close enough. But an article yesterday written by one of my favorite writers put some fear in me. He talked about several sources saying that a group from the dissolved state security has created a list of people to be assassinated and another list for those to be "disciplined". Another source told him of documents that were found on strategies to exhaust the revolution, including fueling the sectarian clashes. 

Could take these as rumors but this isn't the first time this writer's been contacted with info. He as well as others have warned of things they were informed of, without anyone listening to them, later on what they warned of came true. I suppose as an individual I can't do anything but pray. I pray these are only rumors. May Allah protect Egypt & grant it a better future.

*Article no.2 states that Islam is the religion of the state, Arabic is the official language & the principles of Shari`ah are the main source of legislation.

Against the Government

Mubarak may have stepped down, but the regime is still in place. The NDP is still active. We can't say the revolution succeeded yet. It's a lot tougher now to get our demands met, but not giving up hope.

The government changed a few ministers, but a lot of old faces are still there, starting with the PM. They may have changed their language a little bit, but they're actions are the same, they still treat us like children. There are still attempts to stifle the revolution.

Some people say enough protests, we need to get back to normal to build Egypt. I agree we need to build Egypt, but what is normal? The normal I know is what we've had for more than 30 years. If that's the normal we're going to have, then no thanks. Life needs to go back to right not normal. And till the government is changed, till the constitution is amended or rewritten, we're not getting there. Till we have free & fair elections, we have a long way to go.

Some people are afraid of the coming elections because we don't have strong political parties. The possible scenarios are either having a parliament run by the NDP or the Muslim Brotherhood. I think it's a risk we need to take, but only take once the constitution guarantees no one party / person has all the power.

Ya Allah help the revolution, it's not over! Be with the people! Ya Allah help us reach our goals. Ya Allah protect Egypt & its people. ORL

I found a translation to the song from my previous post. So this time I looked for a translation first. The translation is from this page. I edited it a bit.

ضد الحكومة

Against the government

ضد البلطجة والظلم

Against the thugs and injustice

ضد الحكومة

Against the government
ضد الحاكم ضد الحكم

Against the government, against the rule (ruling)
ضد الحكومة وحبل الظلم طويل

Against the government and the rope of injustice is long

ضد الحكومة وعندى ألف دليل

Against the government, and I have a thousand pieces of evidence

دمك مسيحينه

Your blood is being spilled (by them)
قتلك محللينه

Killing you is encouraged (by them)
وطنك مبهدلينه

Your country is a mess (because of them)
دينك مستهدفينه

Your religion is targeted (by them)
صوتك هما كاتمينه

Your voice they are silencing
حقك كمان واكلينه

And your right(s) is consumed (by them)
واخوك لسة قاتلينه

They just killed your brother
وباقى الشعب طالع عينه

And the rest of the people are tortured
لو عشت تعيش هفية

If you live you will be insignificant
لو مت ملكش دية

Were you to die, you are worthless (you don’t have blood money)
تتكلم تبقى ضحية

When you speak you become a victim
تتعامل بوحشية

You are dealt with brutally
سياسة بلطجية

Policy of thugs
شوية عصبجية

Just a bunch of thugs
حكومة عدوانية

A hostile government
عايزة تنهش فيك وفيا

Wants to ravage you and me
الظالم والمظلوم

The oppressor and the oppressed
الحاكم والمحكوم

The ruler and the ruled
لمين بس حاشكى وعلى مين انا هالوم؟

To whom will I complain? And who will I blame?
هالوم ع الشعب اللى بياخد باوسخ جزمة ولسة ساكت؟

Should I blame the people who are beaten with the dirtiest boots and remain silent?
ولا على حكومة سايقاها وقلوبها ماتت؟

Or a government whose heart has died…
فلتسقط الحكومة

Down with the government
فليسقط النظام

Down with the regime
فليسقط القانون

Down with the law
فليسقط الحكام

Down with the rulers
فليسقط الجبان

Down with the coward
فليسقط اللي خان

Down with the one who betrayed
وليسقط الطيب لو طيبته حاتخليه يتهان

Down with the kind (person) if his kindness will let him be humiliated

انا ضد الحكومة

I’m against the government
ضد البلطجة والظلم

Against the thugs and injustice
ضد الحكومة

Against the government
ضد الحاكم ضد الحكم

Against the ruler, against the rule

ضد الحكومة

Against the government
ضد الخائن والجبان

Against the traitor and the coward

ضد الحكومة

Against the government
ضد اللي يقبل يتهان

Against the one who accepts to be insulted

كل من هب ودب دلوقت عمال يهينك

Everyone is now insulting you
ملكش قيمة ما لكش ثمن حكامك أصلاً بايعينك

You have no value, no worth, your leaders already sold you
ومغفلينك، مستغفلينك، مستهيفينك

They’re making a fool of you, considering you ignorant, not taking you seriously
وفي احضان اعادئك بكل سهولة حاطينك

And simply putting you into the arms of your enemies
وماسكينك من ايديك اللي بتوجعك

And they’re holding you from the hand the hurts
حواليك الف افعى

Around you there are 1000 snakes
وفي مقتل عماله تلدغك

That keep biting you
مهما تتالم

No matter how much you’re in pain
ما فيش حد ناوي يسمعك

No one intends on hearing you
ما تساعد نفسك

Why don’t you help yourself?
ما تقولي وايه اللي يمنعك

Why don’t you tell me then what’s stopping you?
لو حد زئك

If someone pushed you
مستنى مين يجبلك حقك؟

Who are you waiting for to bring you your right(s)?
ماسكك ودئك

He’s holding you & beating you
بقى له 30 سنة بيدئك

It’s been 30 years & he’s hitting you
عمال يسكك

He keeps beating you
وانت ساكت ومخيط بقك

And you’re silent, sewing your mouth shut

وبسيفه يشقك مانت ميت ومموت مخك

And with his sword he splits you. You’re dead and making your brain dead
كفاية نوم

Enough sleep
كفاية موت

Enough death
كفاية سكوت

Enough silence
لو عندك دم بجد اهتف وبأعلى صوت

If you have blood plumping, cheer hard and loud
انا ضد الحكومه لأن لي قيمه

I am against the government because I am worth something
ضد الحكومة وصعب اقبل بالهزيمة

Against the government and I can’t accept defeat

انا ضد الحكومة

I’m against the government
ضد البلطجة والظلم

Against the thugs and injustice
ضد الحكومة

Against the government
ضد الحاكم ضد الحكم

Against the ruler, against the rule

ضد الحكومة

Against the government
ضد الخائن والجبان

Against the betrayer and the coward

ضد الحكومة

Against the government
ضد اللي يقبل يتهان

Against the one that accepts to be insulted

*Note at the beginning of the song, Mubarak is saying, "Ha33od affir kol 7aga fil balad ya3ni? Ya ragel, kabbar mokkhak" which means something like, "You think I'd read (about) everything (happening) in the country? Come on, ignore that".

Kabbar means enlarge, but in Egyptian Arabic it also has the meaning of ignore, look over something. You can say kabbar plain or other versions are kabbar mokkhak, kabbar demaghak (lit. enlarge your brain, enlarge your head). Maybe it also means rise above something, it's not worth thinking about or worrying.

The Voice of Freedom

Soooooooooo happy for Egypt's liberation. May tomorrow be better, may Egypt be the best country ever!!! Will just translate this song to celebrate.

نزلت وقلت أنا مش راجع

I went out and said I’m not returning

وكتبت بدمي في كل شارع

And wrote with my blood in every street

سمعنا اللي ماكانش سامع

We made who couldn’t hear hear

واتكسرت كل الموانع

And all obstacles were broken

سلاحنا كان أحلامنا

Our weapon was our dreams

وبكرة واضح قدامنا

And tomorrow is clear in front of us

من زمان بنستنى

We’ve long been waiting

بندور مش لاقيين مكانّا

Looking, couldn't find our place

في كل شارع في بلادي

In every street in my country

صوت الحرية بينادي

The voice of freedom is calling

رفعنا راسنا في السما

We raised our heads high

والجوع مابقاش بيهمنا

And hunger no longer concerns us

أهم حاجة حقنا

The most important thing is our right

ونكتب تاريخنا بدمنا

And write our history with our blood

لو كنت واحد مننا

If you are one of us

بلاش ترغي وتقول لنا

Don’t babble and tell us

نمشي ونسيب حلمنا

To go and leave our dream

بطل تقول كلمة أنا

Stop saying the word “me”

في كل شارع في بلادي

In every street in my country

صوت الحرية بينادي

The voice of freedom is calling

May Allah have mercy on those who lost their lives. May he accept them as martyrs and be with their families. May He bless Egypt with the good it deserves.