The ramblings of a common heritage? When going to Üsküdar; "Fel Shara" on a Jewish Shabbat and "I protest my love to you, O! Allah"

The Spanish band Mediterránea is based in Seville, the capital of Andalucía and produce musical masterpieces rediscovering, unearthing and sometime blending the Jewish, Arabic, Islamic, Sufi, Mudéjar and other influences on Andalucía and the Mediterranean in their music.

Here they play and sing "Üsküdar'a giderken" (meaning "When going to Üskudar").

Üsküdar was a city on the Asian side of the Bosphorus

opposite ancient Constantinople/Istanbul. Now, it's one

of its large and overcrowded, yet beautiful municipalities.

The tune associated with this song is a traditional Sephardic tune from the Jewish heritage of Arabo-Islamic Andalucía dating back some eight centuries ago. The tune made its way into the Islamic, Sufi and even nationalist numerous countries in the world. I personally heard Sufi chants in Cairo as well as a song from the nationalist heritage (early 1900s) of Egyptian played to these tunes. I also introduced the Sufi chant (and hence the tune) to the Sufi Tekje in Blagaj (near Mostar, Bosnia) during a Sufi dhikr session in the mystical Tekje.

Another version (accessible here) is a Sufi chant by the UK-based Syrian band, Shaam, who sing "Kolama Ashku Gharami" (As Long As I Protest My Love For You). The video shows the lyrics (accompanied by a translation) of the Qasida which are also available below.

Another version is also sang in Turkish by Katibim Medley who sing it with intermittent explanations in English (and a few "Orientalist" comments).

The tune however continues to be part of Sephardic and Jewish tradition. An Ashkenazi version was featured in "A Jewish Odyssey", an album published by Putumayo World Music in 2000. In it, KlezRoym sing Fel Shara (Sacred Shabbat) in a melange of Spanish, French, English, Arabic and Yiddish. It can also be found on YouTube.

(PS: From the lyrics I can understand, this song seems to me more of a melange of words from different languages than the actual or original lyrics to the Jewish/Yiddish song.)

The original Sephardic (Hebrew) version of the song can hardly be found online, but I came across a rare recording of it sang by Sephardic Jews in a Synagogue in Israel which I'll try to upload to my YouTube channel if the providers agree to that.

Below are the lyrics to both the Turkish (sang by Mediterranea) and the Yiddish (sang by KlezRoym)versions of this historic song. The Turkish version comes with a translation to English. Hope you enjoy.

Lyrics: Üsküdar'a gideriken, by Mediterránea

Üsküdar'a gider iken aldi da bir yağmur

(When going to Üsküdar, rain started)

Katibimin setresi uzun eteği çamur

(My scribes’ coats are long, his skirt is muddy)

Katip uykudan uyanmış gözleri mahmur

(The scribe has woken up from sleep, his eyes are cloudy)

Katibime kolalı da gömlek ne güzel yaraşır

(The scribe is mine, and im the scribes, hands will mix)

Katibime kolalı da gömlek ne güzel yaraşır

(How much it suits my scribe to have a starched collar)

Üsküdar’a gider iken bir mendil buldum

(On the way to Üsküdar I found a kerchief)

Mendilimin içine lokum doldurdum

(And I filled the kerchief with lokum (Turkish delight candy))

Ben yarimi arar iken yanımda buldum

(When I looked for my helper, I found him at my side.)

Katip benim ben katibin el ne karışır

(The scribe is mine and I'm the scribes and hands will mix)

Katibime kolalı da gömlek ne güzel yaraşır

(How much it suits my scribe to have a starched collar)

(click here for source)

Lyrics: Fel Shara, by KlezRoym

Fel Shara canet betet masha
la signorina aux beaux yeux noirs
como la luna etait la sua facia
qui eclairait le boulevard

Volevo parlar shata metni
because her father was a la gare
y con su umbrella darabetni
en reponse a mon bonsoir

Perche' my dear tedrabini
kuando yo te amo kitir
and if you want tehebini
il n'y a pas lieu de nous conquerir

Totta la notte alambiki
et meme jusqu'au lever du jour
and every morning ashtanaki
pour le voue de notre amour...

(click here for source)

Lyrics: Talama Ashku Gharami, by Shaam

Hadha qalbi Ya Ilahi, Hadha qalbi Ya Ilahi

(Ya Allah this is my heart, ya Allah this is my heart)

Hadhi hi ruhi Ya Ilahi, Hadhi hi ruhi Ya Ilahi

(O Lord, This is my soul, O Lord, This is my soul)

Yuhibuka Ya Rab, Yuhibuka Ya Rab

(ya allah they both Love you)

Wa yuhibu nabiyakal kareem
(and Love your generos Prophet)

Chorus:
Talama ashku gharami ya nural wujood

(as long as i protest my love to you, O! light of existance)
Talama ashku gharami ya nural wujood

(as long as i protest my love to you, O! light of existance)

Wa unadi ya tihami ya madinal jud

(and i keep Calling "O! Tihami" (Prophet Mohammed), the kind, the generous)

Mun yati aksa marami ahza bish-shuhood

(My hope, The utmost aim is your audience on the Day of Judgement)

Mun yati aksa marami ahza bish-shuhood
(My hope, The utmost aim is your audience on the Day of Judgement)

Wa ara babas-salaami ya zakil judood
(and to see Bab Al-Salaam O! guider of our forefathers to Islam)

Chorus

Ya tirazal kawni inni aashiq mustahaam
(O' my Brothers, iam a lover, I am infatuated)

Mugramun wal madhu fani ya badrat-tamaam
(a criminal in it [love], and praise is the salvation of the mortal)

Chorus

Isrifil aa raada anni adnanil ghraam

(O! Angel Israfil, what a Death! Love has exhausted me)
Isrifil aa raada anni adnanil ghraam

(O! Angel Israfil, what a Death! Love has exhausted me)
Fiqa qad ahsantu zanni ya samil uhood

(In you I have mastered suffering, O! loyal of the promises)

Chorus

Ya sirajal ambiyaa-i ya aalil janaab

(O! Light of all Prophets, O! high-ranking and precious [Muhammad])
Ya sirajal ambiyaa-i ya aalil janaab

(O! Light of all Prophets, O! high-ranking and precious [Muhammad])
Ya imaamal atqiyaa-i inna qalbi zaab

(O! Imam of the devout, my heart has dissolved)

Chorus

Wa alaykal-lahu salla Rabbi zul jalaal

(O! Muhammad, upon you, my magnificent Lord has bestowed peace)
Wa alaykal-lahu salla Rabbi zul jalaal
(O! Muhammad, upon you, my magnificent Lord has bestowed peace)

Yakfi ya nural ahillah inna hajri taal
(O! light of existance ya Allah, enough, for abandonment has been too long)

Yakfi ya nural ahillah inna hajri taal
(O! light of existance ya Allah, enough, for abandonment has been too long)

Allah Hu Allah (repeat)