Kazem El Saher - I Made You the Arbiter كاظم السهر - خليتك أنت الحكم Khaleetak Anta el Hakam

Kazem El Saher is one of the most lyrical, poetic contemporary Arab musicians. He sings mostly in Fusha with a distinctive Iraqi accent. Most of his songs have to do with love, and therefore lend him a big following among women. I do not know if this song was intended as political commentary, but I found the lyrics to be appropriate for the age in which we are living. I did my best to translate it.

Consistent with a popular Arabic musical style, the first two lines of the song are sung as a mawwal (a slow improvisation on a modal theme, usually a cappella or close to it). The rest of the song has strong rhythmic movement.

Kazem El Saher - I Made You the Arbiter

Sad and alone, torn asunder, your nerves destroyed;
Don’t hold this sadness in your breast; talk to us. We are your friends.

*******************
I made you the arbiter who decides – as you said – justly.
I considered you a friend, beloved; someone who treats me as I treat him.
I never imagined you would take advantage of me, or increase the load I must bear.
This is my fault. I left your rope too slack.

I’ve wiped away and forgiven what has passed … and forgiven you your sins.
I’m beyond the limits of patience, and you still haven’t changed your style.
My brother, your heart is a rock; you _____ the ones you love.
By God, focus on yourself; I’ve been slaughtered by your hand.

How many days have passed! Why do you stubbornly persist?
Your cruelty smothers my breast; it makes life impossible.
You see me ignoring you; when exactly are you planning to make it up to me?
By God, focus on yourself; I’ve been slaughtered by your hand.

كاظم السهر - خليتك أنت الحكم

وحدك حزين ومحترق ومنهارة أعصابك
لا تخلي في صدرك حزن وأشتكي إحنا أصحابك

*************
خليتك أنت الحكم تنصف قلت بالعدل
ردتك صديق وحبيب وتعاملني بالمثل
ما أتصورت تستغل وتزيد حملي حمل
الذنب ذنبي أنا رخيت لك الحبل

أمحي وأسامح زمان .. و أغفر لك ذنوبك
مو فاض حد الصبر .. وما أتغير أسلوبك
يا أخي أنت قلبك حجر وتبجي محبوبك
إرتكز بالله عليك مذبوح وذبحي بإيديك

كم يوم مر أنتهى وأنت بمزاجك ليش؟؟
صدري أتلى بقسوتك يصعب عليه العيش
من تشوفني أتجاهلك تراضيني من بعد أيش
إرتكز بالله عليك مذبوح وذبحي بإيديك