Many believe that the song “Ya Deerti” is folk music, but in reality, it is a song written by poet Hayel Al-Salman from As-Suwayda, who wrote it to express his longing for his homeland and birthplace in Jabal al-Arab before traveling to Venezuela. It was composed by his friend, the Syrian poet and composer Yahya Al-Qantar.
The surprise was the widespread popularity the song achieved and continues to enjoy, and it has been sung by many stars of the Arab world.
Oh my homeland, my homeland, farewell, my beloved
Until we meet again, oh lily, were it not for the hardship, I would not be away from you for so long
Were it not for the oppression and my disgraceful fate, I would not be severed from my environment
It has no conscience, only regret, so much pain, it has clouded the guidance of my insight
Do not blame me, my refined one, my patience is a prisoner, I am no prophet, what is my recourse?
The bell has rung, my heart is a messenger, be a guardian, oh my homeland, for my little one
Perhaps the sorrow will be forgotten, for the sake of the evening, oh mother of my neighborhood
Bring happiness, perhaps later, the thunder will arrive, to water the outskirts of my garden
The soil of the homeland has no price, being away from it is grief, oh my mother
No matter how long the age, how long the separation, there must be a month, where I unite with you, oh my homeland
My soul is yours, my heart is with you, against you, it is perished from my jealousy
A land of loyalty that is never ungrateful, it contains purity, oh people, with my sweetheart
You can watch the full story in the attached video, with artist Hamza Namira and poet and composer Al-Qantar, on the “Al-Araby” television screen.
