/Translation by Luna of Cairo, commissioned by Iana Dance/

Bi Raha Ya Sheikha*

Slow down, girl

*Sheikha is originally a religious term, but only in the masculine, to refer to a religious preacher. In Egypt, they use the word sheikh (and the feminized version) for older people, regardless of level of religious knowledge. And finally, the word is used more colloquially to refer to any man or woman in an endearing or even joking sort of way.

Il-to’l khad agaza wi makano gil dalaal

The big boss took a vacation, and a beautiful woman took his place

Wana olt amil lazaza di andi alfayn so’al

I said to myself I’d start flirting, and I have 2000 questions (for her)

Howa aza wala sawa wi imta wi eh il-nizam

How’s it gonna be, what’s the situation?

Koll ma ta’di il-helwa atlaghbat lee fil kalaam

Every time this beautiful woman passes by me, I stumble over my words

Bi raha shwaya shwaya shwaya alayna ya sheikha

Slow down a little, girl (you’re too beautiful, take it easy on us)

Koll il-rigaala dee galhom hala wi ba’oo shokhshaykha :D

You’re making all these men go nuts (literally turn into a bunch of maracas)* :D

Bi raha shwaya shwaya shwaya alayna ya baba

Slow down a little, baba (he says “baba” but it doesn’t mean papa. It’s just a term or endearment for anyone, man or woman. So is “mama”, but that can only be used for women.)

Koll il-rigaala dee galhom hala wi tilaoo ghalaaba

You’re making all these men go nuts, poor guys

*Egyptians use this word to describe someone who’s scatterbrained or disoriented. They don’t use it literally lol.

Wa dee nar darb nar damar darb nar

This one’s fire, a gunshot, fire, destruction, and a gunshot

Wa dee nar wilee wilee wilee wilee wilee nar

She’s fire, she’s fire

Wa dee nar darb nar damar darb nar

This one’s fire, a gunshot, fire, destruction, and a gunshot

Wa dee nar wilee wilee wilee wilee wilee nar

She’s fire, she’s fire

Bi raha shwaya shwaya shwaya alayna ya sheikha

Slow down a little, girl

Koll il-rigaala dee galhom hala wi ba’oo shokhshaykha

You’re making all these men go nuts

Bi raha shwaya shwaya shwaya alayna ya baba

Slow down a little, girl

Koll il-rigaala dee galhom hala wi tilaoo ghalaaba

You’re making all these men go nuts, poor guys

Il-oyoon sikeena warid wil awaam awaam ghazaal

Her eyes are a sharp knife, and she walks like a ghazal

Tidbahna bi dam barid shi akeed mish ihtimal

She’ll slaughter us in cold blood, that’s for sure, it’s not just possible

Il-amar fi makaano a’id wis saha taht fil itaal

The moon (beautiful woman) is sitting in her place above everything that’s beneath her

Wil dahaya zado wahid wil monafsa al gamal

Her victim count just went up by one, they’re all competing over this beauty

Bi raha shwaya shwaya shwaya alayna ya sheikha

Slow down a little, girl

Koll il-rigaala dee galhom hala wi ba’oo shokhshaykha

You’re making all these men go nuts (literally turn into a bunch of maracas

Bi raha shwaya shwaya shwaya alayna ya baba

Slow down a little, baba

Koll il-rigaala dee galhom hala wi tilaoo ghalaaba

You’re making all these men go nuts, poor guys

Wa dee nar darb nar damar darb nar

This one’s fire, a gunshot, fire, destruction, and a gunshot

Wa dee nar wilee wilee wilee wilee wilee nar

She’s fire, she’s fire

Wa dee nar darb nar damar darb nar

This one’s fire, a gunshot, fire, destruction, and a gunshot

Wa dee nar darb nar wilee wilee wilee nar

She’s fire, a gunshot, fire

Bi raha shwaya shwaya shwaya alayna ya sheikha

Slow down a little, girl

Koll il-rigaala dee galhom hala wi ba’oo shokhshaykha

You’re making all these men go nuts

Bi raha shwaya shwaya shwaya alayna ya baba

Slow down a little, baba

Koll il-rigaala dee galhom hala wi tilaoo ghalaaba

You’re making all these men go nuts, poor guys

Bi raha shwaya shwaya shwaya alayna ya sheikha

Slow down a little, girl

Koll il-rigaala dee galhom hala wi ba’oo shokhshaykha

You’re making all these men go nuts