“Wa Habibi” is a beautiful Eastern sacred song which is usually associated with Good Friday, expressing the deep sorrow of that day some 2000 years ago, which is just as significant today as it was back then.
My beloved, my beloved
What state are you in?
He who sees you, for you would cry
You are the one and only sacrifice
My beloved,
What blame have the nations put upon you?
They melted you with wounds,
To which no healing would do
When in the dark orchard at night
The God Creater kneeled and prayed
Life was praying with the One
Who gave life hope and prayer
The olive trees are crying
As the lips of men quiver
My beloved how will you go?
Has loyalty gone forever?
My beloved, my beloved
What state are you in?
He who sees you, for you would cry
You are the one and only sacrifice
وا حبيبي وا حبيبي أي حال أنت فيه
من رآك فشجاك أنت أنت المفتدي
يا حبيبي أي ذنب حمل العدل بنيه
فأزادوك جراحاً ليس فيها من شفاء
حين في البستان ليلاً سجد الفادي الإلة
كانت الدنيا تصلي للذي أغنى الصلاة
شجر الزيتون يبكي و تناديه الشفاء
يا حبيبي كيف تمضي أترى ضاع الوفاء
There is something about the deep, sorrowful singing in “Wa Habibi” which has always stayed with me and it’s a song I listen to each year as Good Friday approaches. On the other hand, it’s a bit too Catholic-y for me in that there is no need to remain in that sorrow (and certainly no need to prop Mary up to some role she was never intended on having!) because as we know now, “Sunday was Coming“!
Happy Easter Resurrection weekend (aka “Passover”!), everyone!!
Andy in Oman 