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Songs for Gaza?

Posted by Ian M <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/xxxxx/info/user=Ian+M' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on October 7, 2024, 12:18 am

Any recommendations of songs for Gaza and/or Palestine? I feel like I should learn one and start singing it regularly. Ideally with a not-too-clunky English translation as I don't speak Arabic, though I might be able to emulate some of the vocal style with a little practice. And something possible to arrange for guitar and voice without too much essential complexity. I went looking for arrangements of Refaat Alareer's moving 'If I Must Die' poem and this one by Farah Siraj was pretty good, I thought:

Also, a special re-interpretation by Madge Bray in the form of a Scottish 'keening pibroch', which would have the benefit of making it real to a Scottish audience:

Not sure if I could pull it off though... Same with re-purposing 'The Wind That Shakes The Barley' - can't put myself into the words somehow. Maybe lament isn't the way to go and something more cutting and denunciatory would be the way to go. I can't rap, so not Lowkey! My usual sound is folky fingerstyle acoustic guitar with Nick Drake type vocals, but have been known to knock out the occasional punk or grunge tune. Will post a recording if there's something suitable.

cheers,
I

Tell your story; Ask a question; Interpret generously
http://storybythethroat.wordpress.com/tell-ask-listen/

Re: Songs for Gaza?: Me heart melted at hearing Rafaat's poem

Posted by t <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/xxxxx/info/user=TomskiD' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on October 7, 2024, 12:56 am, in reply to "Songs for Gaza?"

It really encapsulates the meaning of humanity in such simple terms:

If I must die,
you must live
to tell my story
to sell my things
to buy a piece of cloth
and some strings,
(make it white with a long tail)
so that a child, somewhere in Gaza
while looking heaven in the eye
awaiting his dad who left in a blaze–
and bid no one farewell
not even to his flesh
not even to himself–
sees the kite, my kite you made, flying up above
and thinks for a moment an angel is there
bringing back love

If I must die
let it bring hope
let it be a tale

I hope you can mess around and make a tune or two using his poem. Worthy pursuit methinks.

Re: Songs for Gaza?

Posted by RaskolnikovX <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/xxxxx/info/user=Raskolnikov' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on October 7, 2024, 6:21 am, in reply to "Songs for Gaza?"

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Also, re T's post below, this is coming out on December 5th; collected poetry and prose of Refaat Alareer:

https://orbooks.com/catalog/if-i-must-die/

...no amount of cajolery, and no attempts at ethical or social seduction, can eradicate from my heart a deep burning hatred for the Tory Party...So far as I am concerned they are lower than vermin.

Re: Songs for Gaza?

I just realised this doesn't meet your criteria but it was a reflex action to post this when I read "Songs for Gaza".

...no amount of cajolery, and no attempts at ethical or social seduction, can eradicate from my heart a deep burning hatred for the Tory Party...So far as I am concerned they are lower than vermin.

Re: Songs for Gaza?

Posted by Ian M <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/xxxxx/info/user=Ian+M' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on October 7, 2024, 7:09 pm, in reply to "Re: Songs for Gaza?"

That's ok, I hadn't seen it so thanks for posting. One day I'll look up the uncensored version of the video... Happy to listen to any other songs relevant to Gaza/Palestine if people feel like posting, doesn't have to be exactly what I'm looking for.

cheers,
I

Tell your story; Ask a question; Interpret generously
http://storybythethroat.wordpress.com/tell-ask-listen/

ya falasteeniya

Posted by Subhi <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/xxxxx/info/user=gamal' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on October 7, 2024, 10:52 am, in reply to "Songs for Gaza?"

what did you say clunky translation oh well could be reworked

O Palestinians, the fusilier has shot you
With Zionism which kills the doves that live under your protection

O Palestinians, I want to come and be with you, weapons in hand
And I want my hands to go down with yours to smash the snake's head
And then Hulagu's law will die

O Palestinians, exile has lasted so long
That the desert is moaning from the refugees and the victims
And the land remains nostalgic for the peasants who watered it
Revolution is the goal, and victory shall be your first step”

Ya Falastinia - 1968

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Shadia Mansours sho eli saar is banned you cant get it because she describes an encounter with "israeli" policemen

but there is always kuffiyeh arabiya or this

Shadia Mansour feat Omar Offendum - We Have to Change

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and DAM Who's The Terrorist? (Meen Erhabi?) Lyrics

Posted by Subhi <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/xxxxx/info/user=gamal' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on October 7, 2024, 11:16 am, in reply to "ya falasteeniya"

Sanarsjou by fairouz is the great anthem " heart don't drop down weary on the path of return" or something that scans better but many young Arabs hate fairouz because that song was played every morning they are unfair her song atini nay is peerless

anyway this is no help but i have enjoyed it so many thanks

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Re: and DAM Who's The Terrorist? (Meen Erhabi?) Lyrics

Posted by Ian M <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/xxxxx/info/user=Ian+M' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on October 7, 2024, 7:05 pm, in reply to "and DAM Who's The Terrorist? (Meen Erhabi?) Lyrics"

Thanks Subhi, great to hear those powerful songs & videos even though they're not in a style I think I can pull off - posh-looking white boy rapping in Arabic not a good look! I'll have a look for other versions of the Ya Falasteeniya for inspiration, as it would be great to arrange those stunning lyrics & melody but the accompaniment would sound weird on guitar unless I can figure out an open tuning for the drone. Will report back with any progress!

cheers,
I

Tell your story; Ask a question; Interpret generously
http://storybythethroat.wordpress.com/tell-ask-listen/

posh looking white guy with guitar,,pol mcadam

Posted by Subhi <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/xxxxx/info/user=gamal' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on October 7, 2024, 7:22 pm, in reply to "Re: and DAM Who's The Terrorist? (Meen Erhabi?) Lyrics"

he does a well below the valley in some movie with a bodran here is Rachel Corrie

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christy moore Palestine one man and guitar

Posted by Subhi <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/xxxxx/info/user=gamal' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on October 7, 2024, 7:37 pm, in reply to "Re: and DAM Who's The Terrorist? (Meen Erhabi?) Lyrics"

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Fairouz

Posted by Ian M <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/xxxxx/info/user=Ian+M' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on October 7, 2024, 7:45 pm, in reply to "and DAM Who's The Terrorist? (Meen Erhabi?) Lyrics"

For everyone else:

Yeah, I'm never going to be able to 'emulate this vocal style'... probably insulting to even try. Shame if it's been overplayed but it really is gorgeous.

Thanks again,
I

Tell your story; Ask a question; Interpret generously
http://storybythethroat.wordpress.com/tell-ask-listen/

julia boutros hezbollah

Posted by Subhi <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/xxxxx/info/user=gamal' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on October 7, 2024, 8:31 pm, in reply to "Fairouz"

a christian lady christian audience everyone knows the words after

2006

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Good stuff, thanks for these vids folks

Posted by Fionn <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/xxxxx/info/user=Fionn' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on October 7, 2024, 10:05 pm, in reply to "Songs for Gaza?"

David Rovics

Posted by Ian M <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/xxxxx/info/user=Ian+M' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on October 8, 2024, 12:53 am, in reply to "Good stuff, thanks for these vids folks"

The veteran US protest singer has been v prolific - lots to choose from here:

Liked this one, not as heart-wrenching as the others:

Tell your story; Ask a question; Interpret generously
http://storybythethroat.wordpress.com/tell-ask-listen/

You may find something here (there's a lot!)

https://www.youtube.com/@awakeningrecords/videos

"Songs for Gaza" "Support Palestine" and "Support Gaza" about half way down have long playlists of things, but there's a ton of stuff in there hopefully of some use and plenty to watch just for itself.

...no amount of cajolery, and no attempts at ethical or social seduction, can eradicate from my heart a deep burning hatred for the Tory Party...So far as I am concerned they are lower than vermin.

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