His name is Bilal Mouffok, but in Algeria everyone knows him as the Cheb Bilal. Born in 1966, his is one of the voices of Algerian raï music. It all started with the conservatory in Oran and the first wedding concerts. Until in 1989 Bilal lands in Marseilles and begins working as a dishwasher - without documents - in a small cafè in the city. And it is in Marseille that he discovers his raï soul and begins to make a name for himself among the Algerian community in the city. Until, in 1997, he releases his first album: "Babour li jabni", which is like saying "Damn the boat that brought me". The song becomes an instant hit in Algeria as well as France, and sets him as the new raï musician. He sings about the disillusionment of those who have already taken the trip, the nostalgia for the country, and the sadness of distance. Feelings shared by thousands of harraga who arrived in Europe and remained prisoners of their dreams. Because, paradoxically, it is easier to get in the fortress than to get out. And once they’re left undocumented, it’s years before these young harraga can go back to their land, their family and friends. And in between there are all the lost opportunities. Be it the joy of a wedding or the mourning of a funeral. And the important ties that end up growing irreversably distant. Because once one is stuck in the fortress one discovers this too. That money is not everything. And that even the wildest dreams sometimes become nightmares. Below you will find the lyrics translated into English. Enjoy listening and enjoy reading.
| Babour li jabni Elbabour lli jabni enaalle waldih ayye, ouhayyamni ou behdelni wassilni beeed ayye, a leghadi sellimli ala bladi ayye ya ghoulle lhoum rani labesse, khlli ghbenti secret. Khelliha ala rabbi kima jatte jatte, oualache enkhammemme enzidde el ghalbi gui elhamme, khelliha ala rabbi kima jatte jatte, oualache enkhammemme enzidde el ghalbi gui elhamme. Y a des fois nesker ah nbghi nfaji ayye naaya mezayyer rouhi des fois lacher Elbabour lli jabni enaalle waldih ayye ouhayyamni ou behdelni wassilni beeed ayye. Ma bqa walou koulchi chyanne ayye, illa kemlitte hakda, nzidde llalmanne aaaa, ma bqa walou koulchi chyanne ayye, illa kemlitte hakda, nzidde llalmanne aaaa. | Damn the ship that brought me Damn the ship that brought me, mother it has ruined me taking me far away, over there say hello to my land and tell everyone that I'm fine, let me hide my secret. Let God deal with it what will be will be, because if I deal with it I will only add sadness in my heart, Let God deal with it what will be will be, because if I deal with it I will only add sadness in my heart, Sometimes I get drunk to forget and sometimes in spite of myself I let myself go. Damn the ship that brought me, mother it has ruined me taking me far away There is nothing left, everything is gone, If I go on like this, I will only add pain, There is nothing left, everything is gone, If I go on like this, I will only add pain |