“Say I Love You” (Arabic: قولي أحبك, Romanized: Qouli Uhibbuka) is a modern Arabic song by Iraqi artist Kadim Al Sahir. It was released in 1999 as part of the album “Habibati Wal Matar” (My Love & The Rain). This romantic song, characterized by its passionate and poetic lyrics, runs approximately 6 minutes and 30 seconds. The song was written by the renowned Syrian poet Nizar Qabbani and composed by Kadim Al Sahir himself.
Song Lyrics:
قولي أحبك كي تزيد وسامتي
Say “I love you” so that my handsomeness grows
Qouli Uhibbuki kay tazeed wasamati
فبغير حبك لا أكون جميلاً
For without your love, I am not beautiful
Fa bighayri hubbuki la akoonu jameelan
قولي أحبك كي تصير أصابعي
Say “I love you” so that my fingers become
Qouli Uhibbuki kay taseer asabi’i
ذهباً وتصبح جبهتي قنديلاً
Gold, and my forehead becomes a lantern
Dhahaban wa tusbih jabhaty qandeelan
الآن قوليها
Say it now
Al-aan qooliha
الآن قوليها ولا تترددي
Say it now and do not hesitate
Al-aan qooliha wa la tataraddadi
بعض الهوى لا يقبل التأجيلا
Some love does not accept postponement
Ba’d al-hawa la yaqbal al-ta’jeela
سأغير التقويما لو أحببتني
I will change the calendar if you love me
Sa’ughayyir al-taqweema law ahbabtini
أمحو فصولاً أو أضيف فصولاً
Erase seasons or add seasons
Amhu fusoolan aw udeef fusoolan
وسينتهي العصر القديم على يدي
And the old era will end at my hand
Wa sayantahi al-asr al-qadeem ala yadi
وأقيم عاصمة النساء بديلاً
And I will establish a capital of women instead
Wa uqeem ‘asimata al-nisaa’ badeelan
قولي أحبك كي تزيد وسامتي
Say “I love you” so that my handsomeness grows
Qouli Uhibbuki kay tazeed wasamati
فبغير حبك لا أكون جميلاً
For without your love, I am not beautiful
Fa bighayri hubbuki la akoonu jameelan
ملك أنا لو تصبحين حبيبتي
I am a king if you become my beloved
Malik ana law tusbiheen habeebati
أملأ الشموس مراكباً وخيولاً
I fill the suns with ships and horses
Amla’ al-shumoos marakiban wa khuyoolan
لا تخجلي مني فهذي فرصتي
Do not be shy of me, for this is my chance
La takhjali minnee fa hathihi fursati
لأكون بين العاشقين رسولاً
To be among the lovers a messenger
Li akoon bayna al-‘aashiqeen rasoolan
قولي أحبك كي تزيد وسامتي
Say “I love you” so that my handsomeness grows
Qouli Uhibbuki kay tazeed wasamati
فبغير حبك لا أكون جميلاً
For without your love, I am not beautiful
Fa bighayri hubbuki la akoonu jameelan
For a visual and auditory experience, you can watch the official music video with lyrics here:
Kadim Al Sahir – Qoulee Ouhibbouka (Official Video with Lyrics)