Introducing “Why Do You Blame Me?” (بتلوموني ليه – Bitlomooni Leih?) – an Arabic classic by the legendary Egyptian artist Abdel Halim Hafez. Featured on the album Greatest Hits and originally released in the 1960s, this soulful and romantic track runs approximately 6 minutes. The poignant lyrics were penned by Ahmed Rami and the stirring melody composed by Baligh Hamdi.
Translated Lyrics:
بتلومونى.. بتلومونى ليه.
You blame me… why do you blame me?
Bitlomooni.. Bitlomooni Leih.
لو شفتم عنيه … حلوين قد إيه.
If you saw his eyes… how beautiful they are.
Law sheftum anayh … helween ad eih.
ح تقولوا انشغالى … وسهد الليالى.
You’ll say it’s my preoccupation… and the sleepless nights.
Hat’oolu inshaghali … wa sahd el layali.
مش كتير عليه.
It’s not too much for him.
Mish kteer aleih.
ليه بتلومونى.
Why do you blame me?
Leih bitlomooni.
اسير الحبايب …. ياقلبى يا دايب.
I am a captive of love… oh my heart, so tender.
Aseer el habayib …. ya qalbi ya dayib.
فى موجة عبير … والشعر الحرير.
In a wave of scent… and silky hair.
Fi mawga ‘abeer … wel sha’ar el hareer.
ع الخدود يهفهف … ويرجع يطير.
It caresses the cheeks with a gentle flutter… and then takes flight.
Al khodood yihfaf … we yergaa yateer.
والناس بيلومونى … واعمل ايه يا قلبى.
And people blame me… what can I do, my heart?
Wel nas beyelomooni … wa a’mel eh ya qalbi.
عاوزين يحرمونى … منه ليه يا قلبى.
They want to deprive me of him… why, oh my heart?
Awzeen yihramooni menno leih ya qalbi.
وتلومونى ليه ….
And why do you blame me?
We bitlomooni leih.
من يوم حبه ملمس قلبى … فتح الباب للشوق يلعب بى.
Ever since his love touched my heart… he opened the door for longing to play with me.
Men yoom hobbo lamas qalbi … fatah el bab lel shawq yil’ab bee.
وهو حبيبى وهو نصيبى … وهو النور لعنيه وقلبى.
And he is my beloved, he is my destiny… and he is the light to my eyes and my heart.
We howa habibi, we howa naseebi … we howa el noor la ‘aynoh we qalbi.
وهو شبابى وهو صحابى … وهو قرايبى وكل حبايبى.
And he is my youth, he is my friend… and he is my kin and all my beloved.
We howa shababi, we howa sahabi … we howa araaybi we kol habayibi.
والناس بيلومونى واعمل ايه يا قلبى.
And people blame me, what can I do, my heart?
Wel nas beyelomooni, wa a’mel eh ya qalbi.
عاوزين يحرومونى منه ليه يا قلبى.
They want to deprive me of him, why, oh my heart?
Awzeen yihramooni menno leih ya qalbi.
وتلومونى ليه بتلومونى ليه … لوشفتم عنيه حلوين قد ايه.
And why do you blame me? Why do you blame me?… When you saw his eyes, how beautiful they are.
We bitlomooni leih, bitlomooni leih … law sheftum anayh, helween ad eih.
ح تقولوا انشغالى وسهد الليالى … مش كتير عليه ليه بتلومونى.
You’ll say it’s my preoccupation and the sleepless nights… it’s not too much for him, so why do you blame me?
Hat’oolu inshaghali, wa sahd el layali … mish kteer aleih, leih bitlomooni.
Watch on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qNMnktZFCF8