Here is my modest attempt to translate Fairuz's song "Khidni Ya Habibi خدني يا حبيبي " [Take Me Away, My Love] from Arabic into English. This song has always had a special place in my heart, as does the operetta/musical Petra in which it was initially performed, back in 1978.
I have uploaded a special video of the song, with optional English subtitles, to my YouTube Channel. To view subtitles, start playing video then click on CC at bottom of video screen/window.
For bilingual English/Arabic version, scroll to bottom of page.
Watch below or at https://youtu.be/Hi4-DAq72s8
[Narration]An Egyptian man arrived one night
Carrying with him the mysteries of the Pyramids
And the sublime color of the Nile
He appeared out of nowhere
Just like joy itself
And he gave us hope.
[Song]
Take me away, my love
To a house that has no doors
Take me away my love
To the moon that guides the forgotten
Leave me in a deep slumber
On a clear, bright day
Until the nights return, along with our loved ones
My love, my love, my love
Take me away, leave me behind
Joy is on its way
Your love consumes me
While you have no companion
Take me away, leave me behind
Joy is on its way
Your love consumes me
While you have no companion
O King of all Swords
You took away the summer
I imagine you everywhere
Lost in the fog
Take me away, my love
Take me away, my love
Leave me in a deep slumber
On a clear and bright day
My love, my love, my love
There was once a little princess
Who grew up too quickly
Jealousy surrounded her
And she had no wings to fly away
There was once a little Princess
Who grew up too quickly
Jealousy surrounded her
She had no wings to fly away
They made her live in Palaces
Surrounded by vast oceans
The Princess was too little
And the oceans (doors) too vast
Take me away, my love
To a house that has no doors
Take me away, my love
To the moon that guides those who are lost
Leave me in a deep slumber
On a clear, bright day
Until the nights return, along with our loved ones
My love, my love, my love
|
English Translation by Dr. Ramzi Salti |
Original Arabic Lyrics |
| An Egyptian man arrived one night Carrying with him the mysteries of the Pyramids And the sublime color of the Nile He appeared out of nowhere and, like joy itself, He gave us hope. Take me away, my love To a house that has no doors Take me away, my love To the moon that guides the forgotten Leave me in a deep slumber on a clear, bright day Until the nights return, along with our loved ones My love, my love, my love Take me away, leave me behind Joy is on its way Your love consumes me While you have no companion O King of all Swords You took away the summer I imagine you everywhere Lost in the fog Take me away, my love Take me away, my love Leave me in a deep slumber On a clear and bright day My love, my love, my love There was once a little princess Who grew up too quickly Jealousy surrounded her And she had no wings to fly away They made her live in Palaces Surrounded by vast oceans But the Princess was too little And the oceans (doors) too vast Take me away, my love To a house that has no doors Take me away, my love To the moon that guides those who are lost Leave me in a deep slumber On a clear, bright day Until the nights return, along with our loved ones My love, my love, my love |
ببيروس اللي إجا من الليل حامل غموض الهرم ولون النيل وصل ع غفلة متل الفرح وأعطانا الأمل خدني يا حبيبي ع بيت مالو بواب خدني يا حبيبي ع قمر الغياب انساني بالغفا بأيام الصفا تترجع الليالي ويرجعوا الأحباب يا حبيبي يا حبيبي يا حبيبي خدني ولا تخدني الفرح ع الطريق حبك بيحصدني وما عندك رفيق يا أمير السيف وين أخدت الصيف بشوفك وما بشوفك وضايع بالضباب خدني يا حبيبي خدني يا حبيبي انساني بالغفا بأيام الصفا يا حبيبي يا حبيبي يا حبيبي في أميرة زغيرة انخطبت بكير رميوا عليها الغيرة وما بتعرف تطير سكنوها قصور خلف سبع بحور وزغيرة الأميرة وكبيرة البواب خدني يا حبيبي خدني يا حبيبي ع بيت مالو بواب خدني يا حبيبي ع قمر الغياب انساني بالغفا بأيام الصفا تترجع الليالي ويرجعوا الأحباب يا حبيبي يا حبيبي يا حبيبي |
