“Saharni” by Najwa Karam

For students learning our choreography to this song

Information and translation by Marie Chahine

Background notes:

The  sounds ‘h’ and ‘7’ are 2 different sounds of the Arabic alphabet ( 7 representing a strong ‘h’ coming from the throat) . There is no equivalent of this sound in English but the closest I can think of to explain it is the dragon breath in yoga.

So there are 2 different words :
Saharni means to keep me awake
Sa7arni means enchanted / fascinated/ charmed me

In this song the correct word to use is the latter, Sa7arni.

Some expressions are Lebanese colloquial and so a direct translation would sound silly. In my translation I have tapped into my good command of the Arabic and Lebanese colloquial language and basic English skills to reflect the intended meaning behind the lyrics.   

Huge thanks to our student Marie for this translation:

He enchanted me and touched my soul
He gave me kindness and changed me
He made a big fuss for me and took my breath away and that’s what’s making me crazy.
He enchanted me

How did he hook me? I don’t know!
There’s no one else on my mind
He left me in a state
In such a state
Going up and down talking to myself
He brought the moon to me and covered my wrist with stars
He made me see , la vie en rose

He took my soul away, there’s no escape
He changed my mind and my heart in the blink of an eye
All the dreams, all the love, were awakened in me within 2 days

Since the day I met him I haven’t talked to him or asked him - I’m in love, I said - he enchanted me!