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PHOTO CREDIT: Above photo by John Rickman Photography, San Jose, California. |
Me Alli We Oltelu
(He Did Not Tell Me & I Did Not Tell Him)
This page contains a translation into English of the lyrics to "Me Alli We Oltelu", which is also sometimes spelled "Ma Kalli W-Kiltillouh", "Ma Alli Wu Oltilou", or "Ma Alli Oltellu". This song was made popular by the movie star, vocalist, oud player, and composer, Farid Al-Atrache.
In the 1940's, Egypt's thriving movie industry made Farid, a native of Syria, a major star throughout the Arabic-speaking world. Aficionados of raqs sharqi (the Egyptian name for belly dance) particularly think of Farid al-Atrache in connection with the six movies he made which co-starred Samia Gamal from 1947 through 1952. Many of his songs remain popular today, and continue to be used by many raqs sharqi performers throughout the world.
Farid al-Atrache is one of four vocalists who have achieved legendary status in Egyptian music. The other three are Oum Kalthoum, Mohammed Abdel Wahab, and Abdel Halim Hafez.
Also included on this page is a transliteration of the Arabic lyrics into the Roman alphabet so you can sing along if you like.
Music: Farid al-Atrache
Listen to MP3 Clips of this Song
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Sung by Farid al-Atrache |
Lyrics
Arabic Lyrics |
English Translation |
| Ma Kalli w-kiltillouh | He spoke to me and I spoke to him too. |
| W-malli w-miltillouh | Our bond is stronger than ever. [Literally, he leaned toward me and I leaned toward him.] |
| Ma Kalli w-kiltillouh | He spoke to me and I spoke to him too. |
| W-malli w-miltillouh | Our bond is stronger than ever. [Literally, he leaned toward me and I leaned toward him.] |
| Wjaani w-rihtillouh Aah! | He came to me and I went to him. Aah! |
| Ya a'awazel falfilou, ma kalli w-kiltillouh. | Those of you who would come between us, fume about that! [literally, "Oh you separator, fume."] He spoke to me and I spoke to him too. |
| Ya a'awazel falfilou, ma kalli w-kiltillouh | Those of you who would come between us, fume about that! [literally, "Oh you separator, fume."] He spoke to me and I spoke to him too. |
| Yaah, Ya a'awazel falfilou. | Those of you who would come between us, fume about that! [literally, "Oh you separator, fume."] |
| Ma Kalli w-kiltillouh | He spoke to me and I spoke to him too. |
| W-malli w-miltillouh | Our bond is stronger than ever. [Literally, he leaned toward me and I leaned toward him.] |
| Ma Kalli w-kiltillouh | He spoke to me and I spoke to him too. |
| W-malli w-miltillouh | Our bond is stronger than ever. [Literally, he leaned toward me and I leaned toward him.] |
| Wjaani w-rihtillouh Aah! | He came to me and I went to him. Aah! |
| Ya a'awazel falfilou, ma kalli w-kiltillouh. | Those of you who would come between us, fume about that! [literally, "Oh you separator, fume."] He spoke to me and I spoke to him too. |
| Ya a'awazel falfilou, ma kalli w-kiltillouh. | Those of you who would come between us, fume about that! [literally, "Oh you separator, fume."] He spoke to me and I spoke to him too. |
| Yaah, Ya a'awazel falfilou. | Those of you who would come between us, fume about that! [literally, "Oh you separator, fume."] |
| Kalouli kalaam, w-kaloulo kalaam, w-kan bayni w-baynouh khisaam. | They told me something and they told him something else and there was a quarrel between him and me. |
| Kalouli kalaam, w-kaloulo kalaam, w-kan bayni w-baynouh khisaam. | They told me something and they told him something else and there was a quarrel between him and me. |
| Kalamhoum zaad gharami gharaam. | Their gossip increased my passion for him. |
| Kalamhoum zaad gharami gharaam. | Their gossip increased my passion for him. |
| W-fadh el-shouk baa'atli salaam | In addition to his yearning he sends me his greetings. |
| Kalamhoum zaad gharami gharaam. | Their gossip increased my passion for him. |
| Kalamhoum zaad gharami gharaam. | Their gossip increased my passion for him. |
| W-fadh el-shouk baa'atli salaam | In addition to his yearning he sends me his greetings. |
| W-salamouh frihtillouh, w-kabilni dhhiktillouh | I was very happy with his greetings... He met me and I smiled at him. |
| W-salamouh frihtillouh, w-kabilni dhhiktillouh | I was very happy with his greetings... He met me and I smiled at him. |
| W-salamouh frihtillouh, w-kabilni dhhiktillouh | I was very happy with his greetings... He met me and I smiled at him. |
| W-kalli w-kiltillou, w-jaani w-rihtillou | He spoke with me and I spoke with him. He came to visit me and I went to see him. |
| W-kalli w-kiltillou, w-jaani w-rihtillou | He spoke with me and I spoke with him. He came to visit me and I went to see him. |
| Yaah, yaa A'awazel falfilou. | Oh, Oh those of you who would come between us, fume about that! [literally, "Oh you separator, fume."] |
| Bi-kourbou yzeed hanini illaih, w-houwa bia'eid, ya khoufi a'alaih | In his closeness, I miss him more and when he is far away I get afraid about him. |
| Bi-kourbou yzeed hanini illaih, w-houwa bia'eid, ya khoufi a'alaih | In his closeness, I miss him more and when he is far away I get afraid about him. |
| Bi-kourbou yzeed hanini illaih, w-houwa bia'eid, ya khoufi a'alaih | In his closeness, I miss him more and when he is far away I get afraid about him. |
| Akhaaf la-elnaas y-hibou a'inaih. | I am afraid that people will love his eyes. |
| Akhaaf la-elnaas y-hibou a'inaih. | I am afraid that people will love his eyes. |
| W-yitmannou ybousou eydaih. | They wish to kiss his hands. |
| W-yitmannou ybousou eydaih. | They wish to kiss his hands. |
| W-yitmannou ybousou eydaih. | They wish to kiss his hands. |
| F-eidaih koull elhanaa. Ah, Ah, wa'inaih hiyya el-mouna. Aah, Aah. | All the happiness is in his hands. Ah, Ah. and his eyes are my desire. Aah, Aah. |
| F-eidaih koull elhanaa. Ah, Ah, wa'inaih hiyya el-mouna. Aah, Aah. | All the happiness is in his hands. Ah, Ah. and his eyes are my desire. Aah, Aah. |
| F-eidaih koull elhanaa. Ah, Ah, wa'inaih hiyya el-mouna. Aah, Aah. | All the happiness is in his hands. Ah, Ah. and his eyes are my desire. Aah, Aah. |
| W-halafli bhoubbina, w-ana bardhou halaftillou. | He swore to me by our love and I swore back to him. |
| W-halafli bhoubbina, w-ana bardhou halaftillou. | He swore to me by our love and I swore back to him. |
| Yaa ... Ya a'awazel falfilou. | Yaa, oh you separator, watch out. |
| Ma kalli w-kiltoulouh, W-malli w-miltillouh | He spoke to me and I spoke to him too. Our bond is stronger than ever. [Literally, he leaned toward me and I leaned toward him.] |
| Ma kalli w-kiltoulouh, W-malli w-miltillouh | He spoke to me and I spoke to him too. Our bond is stronger than ever. [Literally, he leaned toward me and I leaned toward him.] |
| Wjaani w-rihtillouh Aah. Ya a'awazel falfilou, ma kalli w-kiltillouh. Ya a'awazel falfilou, ma kalli w-kiltillouh. | He came to me and I went to him. Aah. Those of you who would come between us, fume about that! [literally, "Oh you separator, fume."] He spoke to me and I spoke to him too. Spoke to me and I spoke to him too. |
| Wjaani w-rihtillouh Aah. Ya a'awazel falfilou, ma kalli w-kiltillouh. Ya a'awazel falfilou, ma kalli w-kiltillouh. | He came to me and I went to him. Aah. Those of you who would come between us, fume about that! [literally, "Oh you separator, fume."] Spoke to me and I spoke to him too. Did not tell me and I did not tell him either. |
| Yaah, Ya a'awazel falfilou. | Those of you who would come between us, fume about that! [literally, "Oh you separator, fume."] |
Where to Get Recordings of this Song
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Artist: Farid al-Atrache Amazon Store: |
Translations of
Farid al-Atrache's Songs on This Site
About the Translator
More than 80 song translations that appear on this web site, including this one, were created by Tahseen Alkoudsi. Together with his wife Kathe, Tahseen owned an import business in Lawrence, Kansas known as Cartouche.
Sadly, Tahseen died on Sunday, October 15, 2006. See this link for his obituary.
To me, Tahseen was so much more than a contributor to my web site. Even though we lived far apart, I saw Tahseen and Kathe several times over the years. I always appreciated their warmth and generosity. I first "met" Tahseen online back in 1997 on the med-dance list on the Internet, where he periodically posted messages. I knew he was in Lawrence, Kansas, so when a business trip arose requiring me to travel to the Kansas City area, I emailed him to say I'd be in the neighborhood. He and Kathe came to Kansas City for an evening get-together at Tasso's restaurant, and they invited several local dancers to join us. I saw them on follow-up visits to Kansas City. They vended at Rakkasah for several years, and it was always a pleasure to greet them there in the anteroom off to the left of the main stage. I also enjoyed encountering them in Egypt at the Ahlan wa Sahlan festival. Tahseen will be missed by many. |
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