Karaçali

from Dance of the Infidels by Nomadica

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about

This is originally a Turkish Roma song called Karaçali. We kept the title but wrote new words in Arabic, English and Turkish. Why? Because it didn't sound like the traditional lyrics would be so fun for a woman to sing. So Roula, our vocalist, re-imagined it in Arabic and from a woman's happy perspective where the lover is all pleasure and goodness. Then guest vocalist, Brenna MacCrimmon added a verse in Turkish where the lover is a lying snake! See lyrics below for more details and for the Turkish and English verses as well.

lyrics

Verse 1 - Arabic:
Ah ya nur `inayya, ya rakib il khail
tammak arib `alayya, anisni nhaar w-leil
ah ya habib, inta-ttabib
subb il hubb `alayya

translation:
Oh light of my eyes,
you astride your horse
stay close to me
give me pleasure day and night
oh my love, you are the doctor
pour your love on me

Verse 2 - Turkish:
Hadi canım sende
Hakarettin bana
Yalancı sen, yüzüldüm ben
Yallah yılan yallah
Haydi yılan yallah

translation:
You’re putting me on
You’ve done me wrong
You’ve skinned me alive with your lies
Get out of here, you snake, beat it.

Verse 3:
oh my wild hair lover
my hearts desire
we push we pull each other
like ice like fire
a moth to the flame
I'm caught in your game
I'm burning baby burning

credits

from Dance of the Infidels, released November 2, 2015
Roula Said: lead vocals
Brenna MacCrimmon: lead vocals
David Buchbinder: trumpet, shakers
Peter Lutek: C clarinet
Drew Jurecka: violin
Demetrios Petsalakis: electric guitar
RJ Satchithananthan: bass guitar
Zach Sutton: drum kit
Jaash Singh: darbuka, tapan

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about

Nomadica Toronto, Ontario

NOMADICA re-imagines and recombines the rich, soulful and righteously celebratory musics of the Arabs, Gypsies and Jews. Led by Juno-award winning trumpeter and composer, David Buchbinder and vocalist, multi-instrumentalist and dancer, Roula Said, the band features soaring vocals, a front line of masterful improvisors and a heavily funky rhythm section. Music to fire up your heart and your hips! ... more