liban-nahia

Muwashshah: If I had control over my heart

Anonymous Andalusian song rearranged by Rahbani Brothers

It I had control over my heart, I would have chosen none but you, / and would have accepted no other one to be my love.

But my heart desires / the one who is tormenting it / and would accept no blame or reproach.

Give me the flute

Lyrics: Kahlil Gibran Music: Najib Hankash

Give me the flute, and sing / immortality lies in a song / and even after we've perished / the flute continues to lament / have you taken refuge in the woods / away from places like me / followed streams on their courses / and climbed up the rocks. Did you ever bathe in a perfume / and dry yourself with a light / drink the dawn as wine / rarefied in goblets of ether / give me the flute then and sing / the best of prayer is song / and even when life perishes / the flute continues to lament / have you spent an evening / as I have done / among vines / where the golden candelabra / clusters hang down / did you sleep on the grass at night / and let space be your blanket / abstaining from all that will come / forgetful of all that has passed / give the flute then and sing / in singing is Justice for the heart / and even after every guilt / has perished / the flute continues to lament / give the flute and sing / forget illness and its cure / people are nothing but lines / which are scribbled on water.