1. Ahi Min Khilin: H.E. Mana Bin Saeed Al Otaiba: آهٍ من خِلٍّ شَرودِ: أ.د. مانع سعيد العتيبة

Ahi Min Khilin
Poetry by H.E. Mana Bin Saeed Al Otaiba
Composed by Faraj Abyad

آهٍ من خِلٍّ شَرودِ
في عَذابي أَسرَفَ
Ah, from a restless companion,
Who indulged in my torment.
مُخْلِفٍ كُلَّ وُعودي
وهوَ يَنبوعُ الوَفا
Breaking all his promises,
Though he is the fountain of loyalty.

يَبتَليني بالصُّدودِ
إِنْ رأى عَيْشي صَفا
He afflicts me with estrangement,
If he sees my life at ease.
وهو لي شَمسُ وُجودي
وهوَ للدّاءِ شِفا
He is the sun of my existence,
And the cure for my ailments.

أنا راضٍ بالقيودِ
كُنْ ظَلُوماً مُجحِفا
I am content with my chains,
Be unjust, even oppressive.
لَنْ تَرى إِلّا صُمُودي
لَستُ مَنْ قالَ كَفى
You will see nothing but my resilience,
I am not one to say “enough.”

إِنَّما احْفَظ عُهُودي
لا تُبالِغْ بالجَفا
I simply uphold my vows,
Do not exaggerate your aloofness.
وَارْوِ بالوَصلِ وُرودي
كُنْ لِقَلبي مُسعِفا
Quench my roses with reunion,
Be a healer to my heart.

يا فَتاتي فَلتجُودي
لِعُيوني بالغَفا
Oh, my beloved, be generous,
Grant my eyes restful sleep.
فَسُهادي كادَ يُودي
وَوَرْدُنا لَنْ يُقطَفَ
For my sleeplessness nearly destroyed me,
And our roses will never be plucked.

فالهَوى فاقَ حُدودي
وَتَجَلّى ما اختَفى
For love has surpassed my limits,
And unveiled what was hidden.
وأبَتْ رغمَ جُهودي
دَمعَتي أنْ تَنشِفَ
Despite my efforts,
My tears refused to dry.

لَكَ سَيّرتُ وُفودي
آملاً أنْ تَرأفَ
To you, I have sent my delegations,
Hoping for your kindness.
لا تُشْمِتْ بي حَسودي
عُدْ لِدَرْبي مُنصِفا
Do not let my envy rejoice,
Return to my path with fairness.

Performed in the Grace Rainey Rogers Auditorium in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.

Video co-created by Nouriel Roubini and Faraj Abyad

Inspired by the artistic vision of Limor Tomer

Hi-Fi Live Sound through PROMA line of OMA
Stage Calligraphy Artwork: eL Seed

Composition Commissioned by Abu Dhabi Festival
Concert Produced by MetLiveArts

Performed by Watar Orchestra New York
Directed by Faraj Abyad and Ismail Lumanovski

Arrangement: Ahmad Rami
Guest Vocalist: Rana Baransi