“I Will Write on the Tree Leaves” (Arabic: لكتب ع اوراق الشجر, Romanized: Laktob Aourak El Chagar) is a classic Arabic song by Syrian-Egyptian artist Farid al-Atrash. It was featured in the album “Zaman Ya Hob” and released in 1972. This emotive song, characterized by its heartfelt and melancholic style, runs approximately 7 minutes. The lyrics were penned by Michel Tuma, with Farid al-Atrash himself composing the music.
Song Lyrics:
لَكتُب عَ أوراق الشجر سافر حبيبي وهجر
I will write on the tree leaves: my beloved has traveled and abandoned me.
Laktob a’ awraq al-shajar saafar habibi wa hajar
يا حبيبي دخلك عود بيكفي غياب وسفر
Oh my beloved, please return; enough of absence and travel.
Ya habibi dakhlek ‘oud, bikafi ghiyab wa safar
لَكتُب عَ المفارق الله يعين اللي مفارق
I will write on the crossroads: may God help those who are separated.
Laktob a’ al-mafareq Allah y’een elli mfariq
ويا مرسال اللي مارق ودي لحبيبي خبر
And oh, messenger passing by, deliver to my beloved news.
Wa ya mursal elli mareq, waddi la habibi khabar
لَكتُب عَ أوراق الشجر سافر حبيبي وهجر
I will write on the tree leaves: my beloved has traveled and abandoned me.
Laktob a’ awraq al-shajar saafar habibi wa hajar
يا حبيبي دخلك عود بيكفي غياب وسفر
Oh my beloved, please return; enough of absence and travel.
Ya habibi dakhlek ‘oud, bikafi ghiyab wa safar
لَكتُب على الزيزفون برمشي بدمع العيون
I will write on the linden tree with my eyelashes and tears from my eyes.
Laktob ‘ala al-zaizafoun birimshi bidam’ al-‘uyoun
على علمي قلبك حنون شو خلى قلبك حجر
To my knowledge, your heart is compassionate; what made your heart turn to stone?
‘Ala ‘ilmi qalbak hanoun, shu khalla qalbak hajar
لَكتُب عَ أوراق الشجر سافر حبيبي وهجر
I will write on the tree leaves: my beloved has traveled and abandoned me.
Laktob a’ awraq al-shajar saafar habibi wa hajar
يا حبيبي دخلك عود بيكفي غياب وسفر
Oh my beloved, please return; enough of absence and travel.
Ya habibi dakhlek ‘oud, bikafi ghiyab wa safar
ياليلى ياليلى ياليلى ياليلى يا ليل
Oh night, oh night, oh night, oh night, oh night.
Ya layli ya layli ya layli ya layli ya layl
لَكتُب عَ جنح الطير مكتوبي كلمات
I will write on the bird’s wing my letter, words.
Laktob a’ jnah al-tayr maktubi kalimat
بالدمعات مكتوبي ياليل
Written with tears, oh night.
Bil-dam’at maktubi ya layl
وبالله يا طير إن شفت محبوبي
And by God, oh bird, if you see my beloved.
Waballah ya tayr in shuft mahboubi
أمانة عليك سلم على الأحباب
I entrust you to greet the loved ones.
Amanah ‘alayk sallim ‘ala al-ahbab
لَكتُب عَ أوراق الصفصاف
I will write on the willow leaves.
Laktob a’ awraq al-safsaf
يا دولاب العمر وقاف
Oh wheel of life, stop.
Ya dowlab al-‘umr wa’af
يا حبيبي عليك بخاف
Oh my beloved, I fear for you.
Ya habibi ‘alayk bikhaf
يقسى قلبك عَ السفر
That your heart may harden from travel.
Yiqsa qalbak ‘a al-safar
لَكتُب عَ أوراق الشجر سافر حبيبي وهجر
I will write on the tree leaves: my beloved has traveled and abandoned me.
Laktob a’ awraq al-shajar saafar habibi wa hajar
يا حبيبي دخلك عود بيكفي غياب وسفر
Oh my beloved, please return; enough of absence and travel.
Ya habibi dakhlek ‘oud, bikafi ghiyab wa safar