The following samples were used by Marc Schade-Poulsen to conduct interviews about the songs and their popular meaning with several Algerians. Some of his comments are reproduced here.  (Translations of the song lyrics are by Marc Shade-Poulsen.  The snippets of audio sound were collected by Schade-Poulsen in Algeria during the early 1990's.)

"There are several reasons why I chose this song. First of all, I was often told that it is emblematic of the style known as raï trab, the literal meaning of which is 'soil raï.' This expression conveys association with the Algerian countryside, and songs in trab often express painful experiences."

Click here to listen to a 30-second sample.

Lyrics included in the sample:
Sa'ida ba'ida wa al-mashina ghalya wa ya
Saïda is far away and the train is expensive

Tahwas al-ghaba rgada al-khallaj
Walking in the woods and sleeping in the bushes

"I chose to play Dablat Galbi for my interviewees, first because I knew it was rather well known, and secondly, because it represented a style that differed musically as well as textually from the older repertoire of electrified raï -- the music was digital and the words were 'clean.' "

Click here to listen to a 30-second sample.

Lyrics included in the sample:
Wa skantili al-galb ki al-'aahsh farsha, wa, ki al-'aeshsh farsha, wah
You stayed in my heart like a bird's nest in a tree, yeah, like a bird's nest in a tree

Ya kalmtak jarhatni ya al-khudmi la wa al-khudmi la, wah
Oh, your words wounded me, not the knife, yeah, not the knife

Wa yah dablat galbi wa yah dablat 'umri
Oh, ruin of my heart, oh yeah, ruin of my life

Ya ma tashtani, wa yah dablat 'umri
Yeah, don't hurt [crush] me, oh yeah, ruin of my heart

"I have chosen Jibuhalu because several cassette dealers told me that it was particularly popular at the time of my trip to Algeria in 1990. Later, I heard it in different versions on cassette, video, and at a public party for women in Oran."

Click here to listen to a 30-second sample.

Lyrics included in the sample:
Yabki wa ynuh, khayaf la az-zarga la truh
He cries and weeps; he's afraid that the brunette will leave (him)

Jibuhalu ya bni 'ammu jibuhalu
Bring him to her, cousins (lit: "children of my paternal uncle"), bring him to her

Jibuhalu kuntra 'alli ysaluhalu
Bring him to her against those who interfere

Return to Introduction to Raï Music

Center for Middle Eastern Studies, The University of Texas at Austin
Contact: cmes@menic.utexas.edu