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July 30, 2005 I know very few songs in Arabic, mainly because finding the scores and lyrics is next to impossible, but one song that I have known, since about 1989, is “Kulluna Lil-Watºan” (“We All Are For The Country”). This is the national anthem of Lebanon, composed by Wadih Sabra, with lyrics by Rahºid Nakhle, and adopted in 1927. This seems like an appropriate time to post an article on the song. Originally, I found this anthem in a song book, and learned it by playing it on a soprano recorder. This was at a time when I was studying Arabic intensively for my upcoming trip to Egypt, and was eager to learn Arabic songs. At the URL next below, the Arabic lyrics, a score and a translation may be viewed. In the Arabic lyrics, the third line of the second stanza is missing. The melody has to be transposed upwards to be played on a soprano recorder, whose lowest note is middle C. I use a recorder, because it is an eminently portable little instrument I can stuff into my bag as I travel around. http://www28.brinkster.com/mdoukha/lebanon/leb_anthem.htm#readL I have provided my own transcription of the Arabic lyrics, as well as my own translation. To me, the translation provided at the website is a trifle grandiose, so I’ve tried to produce a more down-to-earth rendering, though I’m certainly no expert, I have used (’) for the letter ’ain, pronounced like Greek gamma or silent. I have used (‘) for ‘alif, which is a glottal stop or silent. (Tº) and (sº) are emphatic consonants, pronounced more vigorously than their unemphatic counterparts. (Hº) is like Spanish ‘j’, while (kh) is similar, but has a very definite scrape. (Gh) is the voiced counterpart of (Kh). (Q) varies from a uvular surd to a glottal stop, hard to describe in English. (G) varies between (g) in ‘go’ and (j) in ‘Joe’. (Û) and (â) are long vowels, which carry the stress, at least in the lyrics of this song. (Ai) varies from ‘ie’ in ‘die’ to ‘ay’ as in ‘day’, and also carries the stress. Otherwise every word in this song is accented on the first syllable. (Au) varies between ‘ow’ of ‘how’ to ‘oe’ of ‘hoe’. (Dh) is like ‘th’ as in ‘either’. (Sh) is as in English. Double consonants must be pronounced double. The second ‘a’ in ‘sahaluna’ is a furtive vowel; it’s not written but must be pronounced. KULLUNA LIL-WATºAN (Transcription of Arabic Lyrics) Kulluna lil-watºan, lil-’ula, lil-’alam, Milu ’ain az-zaman saifuna wal-qalam. Sahaluna wal-gabal manbitûn lir-rigâl. Qauluna wal-’amal fi-sabil il-kimâl. Kulluna lil-watºan, lil-’ula, lil-’alam. Kulluna lil-watºan. Shaikhuna wal-fata ’inda sºaut il-watºan, ’Usdu ghabin mata sâ-warratna l-fitan. Sharquna qalbuhu abadan Lubnân. Sanahu rabbuhu li-madd al-azmân. Kulluna lil-watºan, lil-’ula, lil-’alam. Kulluna lil-watºan. Bahºruhu, barruhu durrat ush-sharqain. Rifduhu, birruhu mali‘ ul-qutºbain. ‘Ismuhu, ’izzuhu mundhu kân al-gudûd. Magduhu, ‘arzuhu ramzuhu lil-khulûd. Kulluna lil-watºan, lil-’ula, lil-’alam. Kulluna lil-watºan. KULLUNA LIL-WATAN (Literal EnglishTranslation) We’re all for the country, for the flag, for the honor. Our sword and our pen fill the eye of time. Ours plains and our mountains are the source of our men. Our voice and our act are in the path of perfection. We’re all for the country, for the flag, for the honor. We’re all for the country. Our elders and our youth are at the call of the country, A lion of the jungle when we quell the tumult. The heart of our East is Lebanon forever, Her safety is the Lord till the end of time. We’re all for the country, for the flag, for the honor. We’re all for the country. Our seas and our lands are the pearl of the Levant. Our generosity and our virtue fill the Antipodes. The glory of her name has been since our forefathers. Her greatness the cedar will symbolize forever. We’re all for the country, for the flag, for the honor. We’re all for the country. ------------ About the author Thomas Keyes: I have written two books: A SOJOURN IN ASIA (non-fiction) and A TALE OF UNG (fiction), neither published so far. I have studied languages for years and traveled extensively on five continents. Email: udikeyes@yahoo.com Comment on this article here! ------------ All articles are EXCLUSIVE to Useless-Knowledge.com and are not allowed to be posted on other websites. ARTICLE THIEVES WILL BE PROSECUTED! |
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