Mike's Oud Forums

Bint El Shalabiyya Music Sheet - By Popular Demand

John Erlich - 6-20-2007 at 04:39 PM

Salaam/Shalom/Merhaba/Parev Fellow Oud Maniacs,

In the past, there were some requests for sheet music for the Lebanese folk song, "Bint El Shalabiyya." I transcribed the song a long time ago (I think I used the "Reminiscing with Fairouz" early 1960s version). Well, I finally got around to writing in out in electronic format.

It is actually a very simple song, and this written version is stripped down to what I hear as the very basics. The song is an excellent vehicle for embellishment and improvisation.

Enjoy!

Peace,
Udi John

John Erlich - 6-20-2007 at 04:44 PM

Same thing in another format:

John Erlich - 6-20-2007 at 04:46 PM

Sorry--other format (Bitmap image) was too big (2.46 MB). Will try again...

-JE

Marina - 6-21-2007 at 01:15 AM

Very nice!
:applause:

Benjamin - 6-21-2007 at 01:31 AM

indeed

Jack_Campin - 6-21-2007 at 02:49 PM

Here's an Iranian version of it in ABC notation (which does not usually work very well for Middle Eastern music but does ok for this one). View it in a fixed width font.

X:1
T:Kamtar dan Shaneh
M:2/4
L:1/16
Q:1/4=80
K:C Minor
CD|E2FG A2=Bc |d2=B2 z2 ed |c2=BA GFED|
C2GG C2`G2 |C2`GG C2`G2 |C2`GG C2 ||
|:GE|C2GG G2`G2 |AG`FA G2`GE |C2`G2```A2c2|
=BAAG F2`FA |c2`A2```A2`G2 |AG`FE GFED|
C2DE FE`ED |DC`C=B, CD`EF |G2`A2```A2G2|
AGFE GF`ED |C2`DE FE`ED |DCC=B, C2 :|
CD|E6 =B,C|D6 CD |E6 \
DE|F6 FG |A3G F2`EF |G3F E2
DE|F2E2`D2`C2 |G6 FG |A3G F2 \
EF|G3F E2`DE |F2`E2```D2=B,2|D4 ||
CDEF|C2GG G2`G2 |AG`FA G2`GE |C2`G2 A2c2|
=BAAG F2`FA |c2`A2```A2`G2 |AG`FE GFED|
C2DE FE`ED |DC`C=B, CD`EF |G2`A2```A2G2|
AGFE GF`ED |C2`DE FE`ED |DC`C=B, C2 |]

You can find more about that notation at http://www.walshaw.plus.com/abc/ .

There are also Turkish words for it, anybody got them?

michoud - 6-21-2007 at 03:14 PM

Anyone has this song in mp3 to download?;);)

John Erlich - 6-21-2007 at 04:06 PM

All,

A transliteration and partial translation of the Arabic original lyrics of "Bint El Shalabiyya" can be found on this page: http://www.geocities.com/arabicsongtranslations/misctrans.html

Tomorrow, I will upload an unpointed (i.e., without vowels) Hebrew version ("Shav'at Ani'im" "The Cry of the Poor") taken from liner notes from a recording in my collection. I believe that the lyrics are from Saturday morning Jewish liturgy, but I have never been able to locate the exact source. The lyrics are for the "A" section only, not the "bridge." My band combines this version with the Arabic original.

I have heard mention of both Persian and Turkish versions of the song and would LOVE to see/hear these lyrics and translations.

Salaam/Shalom/Shlama/Khoda Hafez,
John

John Erlich - 6-22-2007 at 07:37 AM

Here are Hebrew lyrics sung to the ("A" section of the) melody of "Bint El Shalabiyya." It is not a translation of the Arabic original, but Jewish religious poetry about how G-d hears the cries of the poor and downtrodden and, how, in return, the pious praise G-d.

Peace,
Udi John

stringmanca - 6-22-2007 at 11:29 AM

Thanks, John!

I've got another transcription that didn't include the bridge, so yours is most helpful - and most timely, as my band is about to work this song up!

Nathan

Cyberquills - 6-22-2007 at 03:49 PM

HI all

This is one of my favourite pieces to play! I have a great CD recording of the piece played by Munir Bashir and recommend the CD to EVERYONE!

The CD is available at maqam.com. It is called Aoud around the Arab world. Here's the link:

http://www.maqam.com/cgi-bin/cdtest.cgi?category1=MunirBashir

CQ

Bint El Shalabiyya - Minor Error (?) Corrected

John Erlich - 6-27-2007 at 04:22 PM

All,

Attached is the "Bint El Shalabiyya" sheet with a minor correction. Only two notes are different, and I have circled the change. I'm not sure the previous version was any less "correct," but this is the way I play the melody.

Cheers,
Udi John

alibaba - 12-26-2007 at 06:38 PM

nice, is there a different version of this? :)

John Erlich - 12-27-2007 at 11:46 AM

Hi Alibaba,

I transcribed the song because I haven't seen sheet music for it. My transcription is based on the early 1960s Fairuz version (I have the cassette at home, which is called "Reminiscing with Fairuz." CD on Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/Reminiscing-Fairuz/dp/B000025HMK ). The Fairuz recording uses (mostly?) Western instruments, and is not to my taste.

There are several versions on YouTube, including an oud/oud/mandol trio which Zal posted a link to on this Forum 2 months ago: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0DbP5aYIPzE

Happy New Year,
John

alibaba - 12-28-2007 at 11:01 AM

Thanks :)

Bint El Shalabiyya Turkish Lyrics

John Erlich - 2-1-2008 at 03:45 PM

I saw this a while ago on YouTube and have been meaning to post it...

In Turkey, Ajda Pekkan sang this song with these lyrics:

Böyle gelmiş böyle, böyle geçer dünya
Günlerimiz bitecek bir gün saya saya
Seneler koşuyor,gülüp ağlatıyor
Bir yol bak aynaya,ömrümüz geçiyor
Bir kez bak aynaya,ömrümüz geçiyor
Neşe, keder,hepsi geçer
Bize kar kalan,nedir bu dünyadan
Bize kar kalan,nedir bu dünyadan

Böyle gelmiş böyle,böyle geçer dünya
Günlerimiz bitecek,birgün saya saya
Daha dün çocuktuk,sokaklarada koştuk
Yarın belki göç var,bu dünya olamaz ya

Seneler koşuyor,gülüp ağlatıyor
Bir yol bak aynaya,ömrümüz geçiyor
Bir kez bak aynaya,ömrümüz geçiyor

NO Blues

Kenny - 4-3-2008 at 11:44 AM

Check out the No Blues version of "Bint El-Shalabiya." The oud is played by the awesome Haytham Safia. Saw them perform this live in Amsterdam, beautiful!

John Erlich - 4-4-2008 at 11:53 AM

I am adding my "Re-corrected" version of the music to this string.

- J