Fogh in Nakhal - On the Palms

Fogh in-nakhal fogh ya ba fogh in-nakhal fogh medri lama'k khaddak ya ba medri l-ghomar fogh walla marida balini balwa w-inshidni l-batran ya ba lesh wajhak asfar wajhak asfar kull marad ma biyya ya ba min dard il-asmar walla sabini b'ayuno l'helwa Fogh in-nakhal fogh ya ba fogh in-nakhal fogh medri lama'k khaddak ya ba medri l-ghomar fogh walla marida balini balwa walla sabini b'ayuno l'helwa Fogh in-nakhal fogh ya ba fogh in-nakhal fogh medri lama'k khaddak ya ba medri l-ghomar fogh walla marida balini balwa Fogh in Nakhal © 1993 Franco Battiato "Fogh in Nakhal" is a popular Iraqi traditional song, here adapted by Battiato and Angelo Arioli, who also wrote lyrics for two other songs on Caffé de la Paix.

On the palms, up there, on the palms, up there, I don’t know if it’s your cheek that glows or the moon, up there. I don’t want it, but the pain torments me. The insolent one asks me: “Why is your face sallow?” I don’t have a disease: I suffer for that dark-haired person who imprisons me with her sweet eyes. On the palms, up there, on the palms, up there, I don’t know if it’s your cheek that glows or the moon, up there. I don’t want it, but the pain torments me, imprisons me with her sweet eyes. On the palms, up there, on the palms, up there, I don’t know if it’s your cheek that glows or the moon, up there. I don’t want it, but the pain torments me. English translation © 2020 Dennis Criteser Caffé de la Paix was released in 1993 and sees a return to using rock band instrumentation on some of the songs, combined with both classical/orchestral textures and the use of Eastern ethnic instruments like tabla and tanbur. The album brings together many of Battiato's cultural and musical interests, and the Caffé of its title refers to the Paris café where George Gurdjieff often went to write and to meet his students. The teachings of Gurdjieff are one of the three spiritual pillars in Battiato's life and work, along with Sufism and Tibetan Buddhism.

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