Nader Khan: Lyrics Video for Echoes, from the album WATER (rel. 2015)

This song from the new album #WATER is especially close to my heart. Often when I sing it live, I find myself holding back from choking up.

Mawlana #Rumi teaches us to observe the company that we find ourselves in, when inspiration and spiritual meanings are unveiled to us, for it is through the blessing of such company that this is experienced.

I was at a conference about the Prophet (ﷺ) on January 28th, 2010. Shaykh Talal Ahdab had just finished speaking, and before the next speaker took the podium, I found myself scrambling to write these words that came pouring forth — these formed the refrain, the first four verses, and the very last verse.

The second-to-last verse is an English translation of the famous words of the poet Sahābi, Sayyidna Hassān ibn Thābit, composed out of love for the Prophet (ﷺ). Can you guess the original lines in Arabic? This translation in meter and rhyme was done by my dear friend Sidi Mostafa Azzam.

The beat is an unusual one, very uncommon in western musical traditions. It's a 7/8 beat that, according to some, was introduced into Arabic music through India. I've yet to hear a song in this beat that doesn't immediately captivate my attention. The tune is based on a very old and popularly sung Arabic song in praise of The Prophet (ﷺ). Can you guess which one it is?

You can buy this song from iTunes, Amazon MP3, or GooglePlay -- 100% of all sales proceeds are being donated to WaterAid Canada.

iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/ca/album/wat...
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Water-Nader-Kha...
GooglePlay: https://play.google.com/store/music/a...
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ECHOES - by Nader Khan
As a blinding light you came to us,
And just as suddenly you went away.
The universe still resonates,
With echoes of "Sall Allah ‘alaih”.

O flash of light, in the flow of time,
O sweet Medinan beloved of mine,
I speak with you in broken words,
With a broken heart, and a broken rhyme.

My life is you, and my love is you,
My connection to The Lord Above is you,
My means to earn His love is you,
My cure from distress and dismay.

As a blinding light you came to us,
And just as suddenly you went away.
The universe still resonates,
With echoes of "Sall Allah ‘alaih”.

More generous there's never been,
More beautiful was never seen,
I surrender at your doorstep
All my dunya and my deen.

O one who came in The Merciful's sight,
With His words "Let there be light",
Convey my broken-hearted plight,
That a glance of Mercy be cast my way.

As a blinding light you came to us,
And just as suddenly you went away.
The universe still resonates,
With echoes of "Sall Allah ‘alaih”.

No eye has seen such beauty as thine
No dame has borne such a one so fine
You’re created free of flaw
As if by your own design

May The Lord, upon you, send His peace,
Salutations, blessings, that never cease,
And to us a gentle breeze,
That makes us weep our nights away.

As a blinding light you came to us,
And just as suddenly you went away.
The universe still resonates,
With echoes of "Sall Allah ‘alaih”.


Nader Khan
Thursday, January 28th 2010

(C) Copyright Nader Khan 2010; All Rights Reserved.