Religions and mystics

Ayam Fakherdinn was presented for the first time at the Festival of Baalbeck in 1966. In this piece Fayrouz played the role of a peasant called Altra Ayal who, by virtue of her voice, must unite the people with her song: I am the sword and you will be the voice (Lebanon will become the song). In this piece Fayrouz performs Ya Sakan el ‘ali, which strangely resembles a prayer. She prays to what she sees in the heavens. She communicates with the heavenly father to ask him to “take care of us and watch over our houses”: Oh heavenly father watch over us (Ya Sakan el ‘ali Toul min al 'ali), take care of us, of our land, bring our brothers and our family back ('aynak 'alayna 'ala Aradina, Raja' Ikhouanata Wa Ahlina).

In this song resembling a prayer but which is also a confession (man has destroyed the land through war) Fayrouz' message is to ask pardon of God, pity and protection, Our hands raised towards you like leafless trees (Idayyana Marfou 'a Saoubak mtl al Chajar Al 'arY). In this text there is a kind of fear of the night, of death, as if the land and men may be judged and punished. The text recalls that it is God who has the power to pardon, to protect, but also to punish. This is perhaps a reference to the Old Testament Exodus 12:11 about the rites of Passover, the festival of unleavened bread and of the sacrifice of the first-born. God is to be feared and may chastise us. A second observation concerns the style, the performance and the rhythm of the song, which has a curious resemblance to the psalms in the Bible such as Psalm 95:6: “Come! Let us throw ourselves at his feet in homage, let us kneel before the LORD who made us!” [New English Bible]

The third part of this song in verse relates to elevation, peace, light: Our doors are open to the light, and to peace, Oh heavenly Father watch over us, Bring peace (through the dove) until the last day, give us the strength to sleep in peace. There is no doubt that this passage is a reference to the messenger of peace (Jesus, who is light and peace). Here there are many references to the New Testament; Jesus is the messenger of God and brings peace, forgiveness and faith. Fayrouz here represents the dove sent by God from heaven (Mark 1:10). She also sends a message back to heaven, asking for protection for her people, she is the dove who will bring back peace and unites her people through the protection of the heavenly father.

This song is an extract from the theatrical work Jbal al Sawwân (The Mountains of Flint). This piece is about power, resistance and firmness of purpose at a time when tensions are mounting in Lebanon. The Mountains of Flint are occupied by the Fatek^[1] and the inhabitants await their saviour who is none other than Ghorbi (Fayrouz) who has the weighty task of pursuing the mission her father failed in, that of returning the Jbal al Sawwân to the peasants. This piece turns on occupied territory, man and the saviour, themes in which the mystical meaning is clear. In the song Sa'adni Ghorbi (Fayrouz) prays to God for aid to accomplish her mission and return serenity and joy to the mountain people which she loves as she loves the land, God and men. Fayrouz is presented as a disciple of the All-Powerful: I am your disciple and I preach your word (by grace of your love and generosity).The reference to the water that sustains the shepherds and the animals is essential in this text. These references recall several passages in the Bible, both the Old and New Testaments. But the point to underline is the reference to the source. Jesus is the source of the living water as he is described as the source of life. This is not material water which sustains men and the land but spiritual water which sustains the soul. (John 5:26 : For as the Father has life-giving power in himself, so has the Son, by the Father's gift [New English Bible] See also John 14:6, John 3:16); yes, water is life, but it is the source of life in the heart of the believer, it is spiritual belief, it is faith. In this song, the dove is mentioned once again, in reference to the baptism of Jesus in the River Jordan, for baptism symbolises true birth for the son or daughter of God. From water comes salvation since The believers await the saviour to release them from their misery....

I am your disciple and my mission (by grace of my faith) is to spread the love of God. Help me, the all-powerful (source of sources).

Fayrouz is presented by the Rahbani brothers as the ideal woman, the promoter of peace who reflects the wisdom and good sense of most people. One has the impression that she has a mission: that of preaching love, bringing peace, saving the people and praying to God. Could she be a messenger of God? The setting of the scene by the Rahbanis no doubt plays a central role in the songs of Fayrouz but it is her interpretation and her voice which reaches the listener. In these musical pieces by the Rahbanis, Fayrouz is playing a role, she is an actress who is singing in a Lebanese folk music show, but beyond theatrical performance, she is also the interpreter of songs with a message.