The scent of the Levant among other beautiful things, traveled on Lhasa’s breath everywhere she went and, was magnified in her music.
Still, she travels on. God bless her soul.
When I listen to her, I feel nostalgic, and a certain melancholy encompasses my soul; Her voice, her music, becomes as near to me as my wheeling blood.
If you wish to skip the brief interview, please jump to 4:20 on the time line. Here, Lhasa’s most unique rendition of Fairuz’s song “ Aattini al Nay / اعطني الناي” will certainly take you on a beautiful journey.
The lyrics of the song are from Gibran Khalil Gibran’s eternal poem:
The Nay (A reed flute)
Give me the Nay and sing,
The secret song of eternity.
The laments of the Nay will linger
Beyond the decline of existence.
Have you, like me,
Chosen the forest dwelling
Rather than the castle?
Have you followed the stream
And climbed the rocks?
Have you anointed your body
With fragrance distilled in light?
Have you been drunk with dawn
In the goblets full of pure air?
Have you, like me,
Sat down at dusk,
Among the glowing languor
Of vines laden with grapes?
Have you lain down on the grass at night
And covered yourself with heavens,
Opening your heart to the future,
Forgetful of the past?
Give me the Nay and sing,
The song in tune with hearts.
The laments of the Nay will linger
Beyond the fading of sins. Give me the Nay and sing,
Unmindful of troubles and cures.
For each man
Is nothing more than a watercolor sketch.
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