In this song cycle, Abir Derbel gives voice to State of Siege – حالة حصار, a collection of poems by Mahmoud Darwish set to music by composer Mehdi Trabelsi. Her performance leads us into a poignant reflection on the injustices endured by the Palestinian people since 1948.

 

State of Siege thus becomes a stirring ode to resistance, celebrating the poetic and human strength of Palestine and, more broadly, of all peoples who tirelessly fight for their dignity.

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1. تَرَبَّى الأَمَلُ

   We cultivate hope
    

2. نَنسى الأَلَمَ

   We forget the pain
    

3. عشرين سطراً

   Twenty lines
    

4. بَشِّرْ مِثْلَكُم

   Human like you
    

5. أَيُّهَا السّاهِرونَ

   Oh Watchman
    

6. بِلادٌ عَلَى أَهْبَةِ الفَجْرِ
   A contry on the threshold of dawn
    

7. بِرَذاذِ الفَرَحِ

   La rosée de la joie 
    

8. السَّلام

   Peace
    

9. نحب الحياة

   We love life