“Ah Ya Lamouni” by Aida el Shaer
For students learning Mahmoud Reda’s choreography to this song
Background:
The dance and costuming are inspired by Mahmoud Reda and his team’s travels in 1967 to the north-Eastern Egyptian area of Al-Sharqiyah, and in particular the coastal area of Lake Mattarriyyah.
The researchers “spent time in a fishing boat and documented their songs and the way they moved as they manoeuvred the boat and fished. On land, the female dancers of the Reda Troupe were able to record in close quarters, songs rendered by women. These charming folksongs were presented by the Reda Troupe in dance form and became very popular. Al-At’aba Gaza, Mantash Khayali Ya Walla and ‘Ala Noor El ‘Ein were broadcast in radio and TV in Egypt for many years. The fresh and innovative way through which these songs were presented through dance, exemplified Mahmoud Reda’s artistic intuition and talent as a choreographer.” (‘Dancing is my Life’ p. 46)
‘Ah Ya Lamouni’ is a later choreography by Mahmoud Reda in the same tradition and using the same costuming.
Copyright Notice: Text and images from the book ‘Dancing is my Life’ by Mahmoud Reda and Farida Fahmy, published by the Biblioteca Alexandrina 2009, and reproduced with permission of the publishers as stated in the book. Sadly it is no longer available in print. Photo credit: Mahmoud Reda. Translation credit: Mira Habchi 2022.
Huge thanks to our student Mira for this translation!
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Refrain |
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| Ah ya lamouni, ya lamouni (x2) | Oh How much they blame me |
| Goum hadi darna w khatabouni | come (our neighbour) and got me engaged |
| Ah ya lamouni, ya lamouni (x2) | Oh how much they blame me |
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| Verse 1 |
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| Ya ma, ya youni, ya youni | Oh ma (abv. Mum), oh my eyes (my love) |
| Ha ygawazuni, ya youni | they’re getting me married |
| Wahad men el bandar, ya youni | someone from Bandar (city) |
| Wa aaish wa atghandar, ya youni | I’m gonna live carefree |
| Wa albes tob esayar, ya youni | and I’m gonna wear a short dress |
| Bl shaher asyaf, ya youni | in the month of summer |
| Wa atmataa wa ashar, ya youni | and enjoy life and party |
| Aal hale shaari hay sibouni | they’re going let me leave on my terms/ as I please. |
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Verse 2 |
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| Ya ma, ya youni, ya youni | Oh ma, oh my eyes |
| Ha ygawazuni, ya youni | they’re getting me married |
| Wahad metgawez, ya youni | someone who is already married |
| Ha dkhol aala dora, ya youni | I’m going to share a life with another wife (dora) |
| Adhak wa atnaawez, ya youni | I’m gonna laugh and take a peak |
| Wel dora tbawez, ya youni | and the other wife (dora) gets upset |
| Fel eisha el mora, ya youni | in the life of misery |
| Mema ateebhom aw yeteebuni, | either I’m gonna make their life hell or they make mine |
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Verse 3 |
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| Ya ma, ya youni, ya youni | Oh ma, oh my eyes |
| Ha ygawazuni, ya youni | they’re getting me married |
| Wahed naggar, ya youni | to a carpenter |
| Yaameli serrir, ya youni | he is gonna build me a bed |
| W satayro harir, ya youni | with the curtain silk |
| Farashuli setan, ya youni | with satin quilt |
| Wala baresh hasir, ya youni | without a straw mattress |
| Law nemt mesh ha taawemuni | if I sleep you wouldn’t be able to wake me up |
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| Verse 4 | |
| Ya ma, ya youni, ya youni | Oh ma, oh my eyes |
| Ana golet la abouya, ya youni | I complained to my dad |
| Malo hassanen, ya youni | what’s wrong with Hassanen (his name) |
| Falah we zen, ya youni | he is a good-looking farmer |
| Megawerna snin, ya youni | he’s been our neighbour for years |
| W ardo ardak, ya youni | his land is yours |
| Mehtaga tnen, ya youni | and requires two to look after |
| Hassanen mounaya w daya youni | Hassanen is what I’m wishing for, and he is in my eyes (ie he’s my love) |
