“Ya Aashikata El Wardi” (Arabic: يا عاشقة الورد, Romanized: Ya ‘Ashiqata al-Wardi) is a classic Arabic song by Lebanese composer and singer Zaki Nassif. The song, which translates to “Oh, Lover of the Roses,” was released in 1984 as part of the album “Ya Ashikat El Ward.” It is a romantic and poetic piece that reflects Nassif’s deep connection to Lebanese folk music. The song was both written and composed by Zaki Nassif, and its full length is approximately 5 minutes and 21 seconds.
Here are the lyrics of the song, followed by their English translation and Arabic Romanized transcription:
يا عاشقةَ الوردِ إنْ كنتِ على وعدي
Oh, lover of roses, if you are keeping your promise
Ya ‘ashiqata al-wardi in kunti ‘ala wa’di
فحبيبُكِ منتظرٌ يا عاشقةَ الوردِ
Your lover is waiting, oh, lover of roses
Fa-habibuki muntazirun ya ‘ashiqata al-wardi
حيرانُ أينتظرُ والقلبُ بهِ ضجرُ
Confused, he waits, and his heart is weary
Hayran ayantaziru wal-qalbu bihi dajaru
ما التلةُ ما القمرُ ما النشوةُ ما السهرُ
What is the hill, what is the moon, what is ecstasy, what is the vigil
Ma at-tallatu ma al-qamaru ma an-nashwatu ma as-saharu
إنْ عدتِ إلى القلق هائمةً في الأفق
If you return to anxiety, wandering in the horizon
In ‘udti ila al-qalaq ha’imatan fi al-ufuq
سابحةً في الشفقِ فهُيامُك لن يجدي
Swimming in the twilight, your passion will not avail
Sabihatan fi ash-shafaqi fa-huyamuki lan yujdi
نجمٌ في الأفق بدا فرحًا يشدو رغدًا
A star appeared in the horizon, joyfully singing
Najmun fi al-ufuq bada farahan yashdu raghadan
اليومَ وليس غدًا فليصدقْ منْ وعدَ
Today, not tomorrow, let the one who promised be truthful
Al-yawma wa laysa ghadan fal-yasduq man wa’ada
يا ملهمةَ النجوى لا تنفعكِ الشكوى
Oh, inspirer of whispers, complaints will not help you
Ya mulhimata an-najwa la tanfa’uki ash-shakwa
فحبيبكِ لا يهوى إلا وردَ الخدِّ
For your lover desires nothing but the roses of the cheek
Fa-habibuki la yahwa illa ward al-khaddi
This song beautifully captures the themes of love and longing, characteristic of Zaki Nassif’s musical legacy.