FOH & Recording Engineer: Sachin Savio
Monitor Engineer: Diego Biagioni
Mixed & Mastered by Vishnu Rajan @ Andante Studios
—-
DESCRIPTION :
Recorded live at the Fes Festival of World Sacred Music in June 2019, Sami Yusuf’s latest single ‘The Key’
is based on a famous centuries-old Andalusian folk song.
This musically rich piece is beautifully performed here by world class musicians accompanying Sami Yusuf’s signature vocals.
New English lyrics along with the original Arabic poem weave together seamlessly to create a stunning sound that is peaceful,
exotic and centering.
FOH & Recording Engineer: Sachin Savio
Monitor Engineer: Diego Biagioni
Mixed & Mastered by Vishnu Rajan @ Andante Studios
—-
DESCRIPTION :
Recorded live at the Fes Festival of World Sacred Music in June 2019, Sami Yusuf’s latest single ‘The Key’
is based on a famous centuries-old Andalusian folk song.
This musically rich piece is beautifully performed here by world class musicians accompanying Sami Yusuf’s signature vocals.
New English lyrics along with the original Arabic poem weave together seamlessly to create a stunning sound that is peaceful,
exotic and centering.
This powerful new composition begins with the haunting and resonant vocalizations of Sami Yusuf,
then adds instrumental, rhythmic, and vocal layers to create an epic unison section
that evokes the many-faceted aspects of the arc of Azerbaijan’s history. This piece features
stunning vocal solos by Sevda Alekperzadeh, Tayyar Bayramov, Samira Aliyeva, and a beautiful tar solo
by Sahib Pashazade that leads into the majestic outro.
Written in Bayāt-e Shīrāz mugham, its sweeping melody is inspired by the story of this region
from its earliest times to its hopes for the future.
—-
CREDITS:
Musical Director & Composer: Sami Yusuf
Creative Producer & Director: Andrei Boltenko
Words: Aytan Ismikhanova
Copyright of Andante Records
Mixed & Mastered by Vishnu Rajan @ Andante Studios
Video editing and post-production by Omar Al-Balushi @ Andante Studios
Commissioned by the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan
This powerful new composition begins with the haunting and resonant vocalizations of Sami Yusuf,
then adds instrumental, rhythmic, and vocal layers to create an epic unison section
that evokes the many-faceted aspects of the arc of Azerbaijan’s history. This piece features
stunning vocal solos by Sevda Alekperzadeh, Tayyar Bayramov, Samira Aliyeva, and a beautiful tar solo
by Sahib Pashazade that leads into the majestic outro.
Written in Bayāt-e Shīrāz mugham, its sweeping melody is inspired by the story of this region
from its earliest times to its hopes for the future.
—-
CREDITS:
Musical Director & Composer: Sami Yusuf
Creative Producer & Director: Andrei Boltenko
Words: Aytan Ismikhanova
Copyright of Andante Records
Mixed & Mastered by Vishnu Rajan @ Andante Studios
Video editing and post-production by Omar Al-Balushi @ Andante Studios
Commissioned by the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan
This new piece features tar, balaban, and vocalists. The effect is profoundly evocative;
the music speaks directly to the heart. In Segah mugham, the lyrics are from a poem that speaks
with deep longing of the universal love of one’s homeland.
The Shaki Khan Palace in Sheki, Azerbaijan, is a place of unique architectural and decorative beauty.
CREDITS:
Music: Mugham Improvisation
Musical Director & Composer: Sami Yusuf
Creative Producer & Director: Andrei Boltenko
Copyright of Andante Records
Mixed & Mastered by Vishnu Rajan @ Andante Studios
Video editing and post-production by Omar Al-Balushi @ Andante Studios
Commissioned by the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan
This new piece features tar, balaban, and vocalists. The effect is profoundly evocative;
the music speaks directly to the heart. In Segah mugham, the lyrics are from a poem that speaks
with deep longing of the universal love of one’s homeland.
The Shaki Khan Palace in Sheki, Azerbaijan, is a place of unique architectural and decorative beauty.
CREDITS:
Music: Mugham Improvisation
Musical Director & Composer: Sami Yusuf
Creative Producer & Director: Andrei Boltenko
Copyright of Andante Records
Mixed & Mastered by Vishnu Rajan @ Andante Studios
Video editing and post-production by Omar Al-Balushi @ Andante Studios
Commissioned by the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan
مشاركة
Shaki Khan Palace – Sami Yusuf ft. Tayyar Bayramov, Kanan Bayramli & Samira Aliyeva
This new arrangement of a much-loved Novruz song in Chargah mugham is inspired by traditional Azerbaijani music. The festive sounds of percussion and zurna reflect the joyous spirit of the day.
Novruz — the day of the vernal equinox — is the jubilant holiday that celebrates rebirth, renewal, fertility, and the return of spring.
CREDITS:
Words & Music: Azerbaijani Folk Music
Musical Director & Composer: Sami Yusuf
Creative Producer & Director: Andrei Boltenko
Copyright of Andante Records
Mixed & Mastered by Vishnu Rajan @ Andante Studios
Video editing and post-production by Omar Al-Balushi @ Andante Studios
Commissioned by the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan
This new arrangement of a much-loved Novruz song in Chargah mugham is inspired by traditional Azerbaijani music. The festive sounds of percussion and zurna reflect the joyous spirit of the day.
Novruz — the day of the vernal equinox — is the jubilant holiday that celebrates rebirth, renewal, fertility, and the return of spring.
CREDITS:
Words & Music: Azerbaijani Folk Music
Musical Director & Composer: Sami Yusuf
Creative Producer & Director: Andrei Boltenko
Copyright of Andante Records
Mixed & Mastered by Vishnu Rajan @ Andante Studios
Video editing and post-production by Omar Al-Balushi @ Andante Studios
Commissioned by the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan
The Garden’ is Sami Yusuf’s moving English rendition of the beautiful Azerbaijani folk song ‘Girdim yarın bağçasına’. He is joined by the renowned singer Sevda Alekperzade who sings the Azerbaijani lyrics. The result is a gorgeous interweaving of their voices that underscores the message of this deeply moving and lyrical song of love and longing.
CREDITS
Words & Music: Azerbaijani Folk Music
Mugham: Shushtar
Musical Director & Composer: Sami Yusuf
Creative Producer & Director: Andrei Boltenko
English Words: Erkin Love & Will Knox
Copyright of Andante Records
Mixed & Mastered by Vishnu Rajan @ Andante Studios
Video editing and post-production by Omar Al-Balushi @ Andante Studios
Commissioned by the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan
LYRICS
Nightshade blooming in my garden
Love I found on my way
Taking root when all was darkened
Scarred in me always
Shine, shine, shine on my dark nights
Shine a light on me
I’ve been wandering all my life and
Now I see the land
In my mornings, waves have taken
What I thought was there
I left you in time forsaken
(With) flowers in your hair
Shine, shine, shine on my dark nights
Shine a light on me
I’ve been wandering all my life and
Now I see the land
AZERI SECTION:
Girdim eşqin dəryasına, gəmim dolmadı,
Gənc yaşımda səni sevdim, mənim olmadın yar,
Gənc yaşımda səni sevdim, mənim olmadın.
The Garden’ is Sami Yusuf’s moving English rendition of the beautiful Azerbaijani folk song ‘Girdim yarın bağçasına’. He is joined by the renowned singer Sevda Alekperzade who sings the Azerbaijani lyrics. The result is a gorgeous interweaving of their voices that underscores the message of this deeply moving and lyrical song of love and longing.
CREDITS
Words & Music: Azerbaijani Folk Music
Mugham: Shushtar
Musical Director & Composer: Sami Yusuf
Creative Producer & Director: Andrei Boltenko
English Words: Erkin Love & Will Knox
Copyright of Andante Records
Mixed & Mastered by Vishnu Rajan @ Andante Studios
Video editing and post-production by Omar Al-Balushi @ Andante Studios
Commissioned by the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan
LYRICS
Nightshade blooming in my garden
Love I found on my way
Taking root when all was darkened
Scarred in me always
Shine, shine, shine on my dark nights
Shine a light on me
I’ve been wandering all my life and
Now I see the land
In my mornings, waves have taken
What I thought was there
I left you in time forsaken
(With) flowers in your hair
Shine, shine, shine on my dark nights
Shine a light on me
I’ve been wandering all my life and
Now I see the land
AZERI SECTION:
Girdim eşqin dəryasına, gəmim dolmadı,
Gənc yaşımda səni sevdim, mənim olmadın yar,
Gənc yaşımda səni sevdim, mənim olmadın.
This is an original instrumental composition in Bayāt-e Shīrāz mugham whose joyous melody is carried from the balaban and kemanche solos to the layered sounds of the orchestra. This piece celebrates the art of movement, an art that tells many stories and reveals the inner world of a culture.
CREDITS:
Musical Director & Composer: Sami Yusuf
Creative Producer & Director: Andrei Boltenko
Copyright of Andante Records
Mixed & Mastered by Vishnu Rajan @ Andante Studios
Video editing and post-production by Omar Al-Balushi @ Andante Studios
Commissioned by the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan
This is an original instrumental composition in Bayāt-e Shīrāz mugham whose joyous melody is carried from the balaban and kemanche solos to the layered sounds of the orchestra. This piece celebrates the art of movement, an art that tells many stories and reveals the inner world of a culture.
CREDITS:
Musical Director & Composer: Sami Yusuf
Creative Producer & Director: Andrei Boltenko
Copyright of Andante Records
Mixed & Mastered by Vishnu Rajan @ Andante Studios
Video editing and post-production by Omar Al-Balushi @ Andante Studios
Commissioned by the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan
The lyrics of this song come from the poetry of the 14th century mystical poet Nasimi, who was one of the first literary figures to compose in Azerbaijani. The composer sets an ecstatic mood in this new piece in Shur mugham that evokes Sufi ceremonies through high-energy percussion and dazzling avaz sections. The musical narrative is majestic, powerful, and intensely beautiful.
CREDITS
Musical Director & Composer: Sami Yusuf
Creative Producer & Director: Andrei Boltenko
Poem by ‘Alī ‘Imādu d-Dīn Nasīmī’ (“Nasimi”)
English translation: Dr. Mohammad H. Faghfoory
Mixed & Mastered by Vishnu Rajan @ Andante Studios
Video editing and post-production by Omar Al-Balushi @ Andante Studios
Copyright of Andante Records
Commissioned by the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan
—–
LYRICS & TRANSLATION
Məndə sığar iki cahan, mən bu cahana sığmazam,
The two worlds are contained in Me
But I will not be contained in these worlds
I cannot be contained in being or in the engendered world
Gövhəri-laməkan mənəm, kövnü məkana sığmazam
I am the Treasure* of no abode,
But I will not be contained in these worlds
Tir mənəm, kaman mənəm, pir mənəm, cavan mənəm
I am the arrow, I am the bow, I am the old, I am the young
Məndə sığar iki cahan, mən bu cahana sığmazam,
The two worlds are contained in Me
But I will not be contained in these worlds
Gövhəri-laməkan mənəm, kövnü məkana sığmazam.
I am the Treasure of no abode,
But I will not be contained in these worlds
Zərrə mənəm, günəş mənəm, çar ilə pəncü şeş mənəm,
I am the particles, I am the Sun
I am the Four**, and I am Five and the Six more***
Surəti gör bəyan ilə, çünki bəyana sığmazam.
See [the universe as] My face and describe it,
as I will not be contained in your description
Məndə sığar iki cahan, mən bu cahana sığmazam,
The two worlds are contained in Me
But I will not be contained in these worlds
Gövhəri-laməkan mənəm, kövnü məkana sığmazam
I am the Treasure of no abode,
I will not be contained in being or in the engendered world
Nara yanan şəcər mənəm, çərxə çıxan həcər mənəm
I am the burning bush, I am the rock that ascended to Heaven
Məndə sığar iki cahan, mən bu cahana sığmazam,
The two worlds are contained in Me,
But I will not be contained in these worlds
Gövhəri-laməkan mənəm, kövnü məkana sığmazam.
I am the Treasure of no abode,
I will not be contained in being or in the engendered world
Zərrə mənəm, günəş mənəm, çar ilə pəncü şeş mənəm,
I am the particles, I am the Sun,
I am the Four, and I am Five and the Six more
Surəti gör bəyan ilə, çünki bəyana sığmazam.
See [the universe as] My face and describe it,
as I will not be contained in your description
Məndə sığar iki cahan, mən bu cahana sığmazam,
The two worlds are contained in Me,
But I will not be contained in these worlds
Gövhəri-laməkan mənəm, kövnü məkana sığmazam
I am the Treasure of no abode,
I will not be contained in being or in the engendered world
Ərşlə fərşü kafü nun məndə bulundu cümlə çün,
In short, [the carpet of] Divine Command (kun) in the Universe found manifestation in Me so that
Sən bu nişanla bil məni, bil ki, nişana sığmazam.
you would know Me by these signs,
but beware! I cannot be contained in signs.
Tir mənəm, kaman mənəm, pir mənəm, cavan mənəm,
I am the arrow, I am the bow, I am the old, I am the young
Dövləti-cavidan mənəm, ayinədana sığmazam.
I am the Treasure of no abode,
I will not be contained in being or in the engendered world
Gərçi bu gün Nəsimiyəm, haşimiyəm, qureyşiyəm
Even though today I may be a Nasimi, a Hashimi, a Qurayshi****
Tir mənəm, kaman mənəm, pir mənəm, cavan mənəm,
I am the arrow, I am the bow, I am the old, I am the young
Dövləti-cavidan mənəm,
I am the Eternal Treasure
Gərçi bu gün Nəsimiyəm, haşimiyəm, qureyşiyəm,
Even though today I may be a Nasimi, a Hashimi, a Qurayshi
Məndən uludur ayətim, ayətə, şana sığmazam
From Me the signs of My power find existence,
But I will not be contained in My sign of power
sığmazam, sığmazam, sığmazam, sığmazam
I cannot be contained, I cannot be contained,
I will not be contained,
I cannot be contained
Tir mənəm, kaman mənəm, pir mənəm, cavan mənəm,
I am the arrow, I am the bow, I am the old, I am the young
Dövləti-cavidan mənəm, ayinədana sığmazam.
I am the Eternal Treasure,
But I will not be contained in a jewelry box
sığmazam, sığmazam, sığmazam, sığmazam
I cannot be contained, I cannot be contained,
I will not be contained,
I cannot be contained
Kövni-məkandır ayətim, zatidürür bidayətim,
Being and existence are the signs of My power,
My Eternity is in My Essence
Sən bu nişanla bil məni, bil ki, nişana sığmazam.
Know Me by this sign, but beware! I will not be contained in signs.
sığmazam, sığmazam, sığmazam
I cannot be contained, I cannot be contained,
I will not be contained,
Məndə sığar iki cahan, mən bu cahana sığmazam
The two worlds are contained in Me,
But I will not be contained in these worlds
Gövhəri-laməkan mənəm, kövnü məkana sığmazam.
I am the Treasure of no abode,s
I will not be contained in being or in the engendered world
Zərrə mənəm, günəş mənəm, çar ilə pəncü şeş mənəm,
I am the particles, I am the Sun,
I am the Four, and I am Five and the Six more
Surəti gör bəyan ilə, çünki bəyana sığmazam.
See [the world as] My face and describe it,
as I will not be contained in your description
Məndə sığar iki cahan, mən bu cahana sığmazam
The two worlds are contained in Me,
But I will not be contained in these worlds
Gənci-nihan mənəm mən uş,
I am the Hidden Treasure, o My servant,
Eyni-əyan mənəm, mən uş,
I am the manifest, I am, My servant
Gövhəri-kan mənəm, mən uş,
I am the treasure mine, o My servant
Bəhrəvü kana sığmazam.
But I cannot be contained in the oceans and mines.
Tir mənəm, kaman mənəm, pir mənəm, cavan mənəm,
I am the arrow, I am the bow, I am the old, I am the young
Dövləti-cavidan mənəm, ayinədana sığmazam.
I am the Treasure of no abode,
I will not be contained in being or in the engendered world
Gərçi bu gün Nəsimiyəm, haşimiyəm, qureyşiyəm,
Even though today I may be a Nasimi, a Hashimi, a Qurayshi
Məndən uludur ayətim, ayətə, şana sığmazam
From Me the signs of My power find existence,
But I will not be contained in My sign of power
sığmazam, sığmazam, sığmazam, sığmazam
I cannot be contained, I cannot be contained,
I will not be contained,
I cannot be contained
Həm sədəfəm, həm inciyəm, həşrü sirat əsinciyəm,
I am the shell, I am the kernel,
I am the upholder of the Doomsday and Suspender of the Bridge*****
Bunca qumaşü rəxt ilə mən bu dükana sığmazam.
So you make a robe out of this cloth for such a day,
For I will not be contained in your store,
Şəhd ilə həm şəkər mənəm, şəms mənəm, qəmər mənəm,
I am the sugar, I am the honey, I am the Sun, I am the Moon,
Ruhi-rəvan bağışlaram, ruhi-rəvana sığmazam.
I bestow spirit to all things, But I will not be contained in spirit
Məndə sığar iki cahan, mən bu cahana sığmazam,
The two worlds are contained in Me,
But I will not be contained in these worlds
Gövhəri-laməkan mənəm, kövnü məkana sığmazam
I am the Treasure of no abode,
I cannot be contained in being or in the engendered world
Mən bu cahana sığmazam
I will not be contained in these worlds
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
*An allusion to the saying of the Prophet (a hadith qudsi wherein God speaks through the Prophet): ‘I was a Hidden Treasure and I longed to be known. So I created the creatures and they came to know Me.’
**An allusion to the Four Rightly Guided Caliphs
***An allusion to the Five Ahl al-Kisa (People of the Cloak: the Prophet, Ali, Fatimah, Hasan and Hossein) and to other revered figures
**** Names of tribes/families
*****An allusion to the bridge (al-sirat) that human beings must cross after death to enter Paradise.
The lyrics of this song come from the poetry of the 14th century mystical poet Nasimi, who was one of the first literary figures to compose in Azerbaijani. The composer sets an ecstatic mood in this new piece in Shur mugham that evokes Sufi ceremonies through high-energy percussion and dazzling avaz sections. The musical narrative is majestic, powerful, and intensely beautiful.
CREDITS
Musical Director & Composer: Sami Yusuf
Creative Producer & Director: Andrei Boltenko
Poem by ‘Alī ‘Imādu d-Dīn Nasīmī’ (“Nasimi”)
English translation: Dr. Mohammad H. Faghfoory
Mixed & Mastered by Vishnu Rajan @ Andante Studios
Video editing and post-production by Omar Al-Balushi @ Andante Studios
Copyright of Andante Records
Commissioned by the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan
—–
LYRICS & TRANSLATION
Məndə sığar iki cahan, mən bu cahana sığmazam,
The two worlds are contained in Me
But I will not be contained in these worlds
I cannot be contained in being or in the engendered world
Gövhəri-laməkan mənəm, kövnü məkana sığmazam
I am the Treasure* of no abode,
But I will not be contained in these worlds
Tir mənəm, kaman mənəm, pir mənəm, cavan mənəm
I am the arrow, I am the bow, I am the old, I am the young
Məndə sığar iki cahan, mən bu cahana sığmazam,
The two worlds are contained in Me
But I will not be contained in these worlds
Gövhəri-laməkan mənəm, kövnü məkana sığmazam.
I am the Treasure of no abode,
But I will not be contained in these worlds
Zərrə mənəm, günəş mənəm, çar ilə pəncü şeş mənəm,
I am the particles, I am the Sun
I am the Four**, and I am Five and the Six more***
Surəti gör bəyan ilə, çünki bəyana sığmazam.
See [the universe as] My face and describe it,
as I will not be contained in your description
Məndə sığar iki cahan, mən bu cahana sığmazam,
The two worlds are contained in Me
But I will not be contained in these worlds
Gövhəri-laməkan mənəm, kövnü məkana sığmazam
I am the Treasure of no abode,
I will not be contained in being or in the engendered world
Nara yanan şəcər mənəm, çərxə çıxan həcər mənəm
I am the burning bush, I am the rock that ascended to Heaven
Məndə sığar iki cahan, mən bu cahana sığmazam,
The two worlds are contained in Me,
But I will not be contained in these worlds
Gövhəri-laməkan mənəm, kövnü məkana sığmazam.
I am the Treasure of no abode,
I will not be contained in being or in the engendered world
Zərrə mənəm, günəş mənəm, çar ilə pəncü şeş mənəm,
I am the particles, I am the Sun,
I am the Four, and I am Five and the Six more
Surəti gör bəyan ilə, çünki bəyana sığmazam.
See [the universe as] My face and describe it,
as I will not be contained in your description
Məndə sığar iki cahan, mən bu cahana sığmazam,
The two worlds are contained in Me,
But I will not be contained in these worlds
Gövhəri-laməkan mənəm, kövnü məkana sığmazam
I am the Treasure of no abode,
I will not be contained in being or in the engendered world
Ərşlə fərşü kafü nun məndə bulundu cümlə çün,
In short, [the carpet of] Divine Command (kun) in the Universe found manifestation in Me so that
Sən bu nişanla bil məni, bil ki, nişana sığmazam.
you would know Me by these signs,
but beware! I cannot be contained in signs.
Tir mənəm, kaman mənəm, pir mənəm, cavan mənəm,
I am the arrow, I am the bow, I am the old, I am the young
Dövləti-cavidan mənəm, ayinədana sığmazam.
I am the Treasure of no abode,
I will not be contained in being or in the engendered world
Gərçi bu gün Nəsimiyəm, haşimiyəm, qureyşiyəm
Even though today I may be a Nasimi, a Hashimi, a Qurayshi****
Tir mənəm, kaman mənəm, pir mənəm, cavan mənəm,
I am the arrow, I am the bow, I am the old, I am the young
Dövləti-cavidan mənəm,
I am the Eternal Treasure
Gərçi bu gün Nəsimiyəm, haşimiyəm, qureyşiyəm,
Even though today I may be a Nasimi, a Hashimi, a Qurayshi
Məndən uludur ayətim, ayətə, şana sığmazam
From Me the signs of My power find existence,
But I will not be contained in My sign of power
sığmazam, sığmazam, sığmazam, sığmazam
I cannot be contained, I cannot be contained,
I will not be contained,
I cannot be contained
Tir mənəm, kaman mənəm, pir mənəm, cavan mənəm,
I am the arrow, I am the bow, I am the old, I am the young
Dövləti-cavidan mənəm, ayinədana sığmazam.
I am the Eternal Treasure,
But I will not be contained in a jewelry box
sığmazam, sığmazam, sığmazam, sığmazam
I cannot be contained, I cannot be contained,
I will not be contained,
I cannot be contained
Kövni-məkandır ayətim, zatidürür bidayətim,
Being and existence are the signs of My power,
My Eternity is in My Essence
Sən bu nişanla bil məni, bil ki, nişana sığmazam.
Know Me by this sign, but beware! I will not be contained in signs.
sığmazam, sığmazam, sığmazam
I cannot be contained, I cannot be contained,
I will not be contained,
Məndə sığar iki cahan, mən bu cahana sığmazam
The two worlds are contained in Me,
But I will not be contained in these worlds
Gövhəri-laməkan mənəm, kövnü məkana sığmazam.
I am the Treasure of no abode,s
I will not be contained in being or in the engendered world
Zərrə mənəm, günəş mənəm, çar ilə pəncü şeş mənəm,
I am the particles, I am the Sun,
I am the Four, and I am Five and the Six more
Surəti gör bəyan ilə, çünki bəyana sığmazam.
See [the world as] My face and describe it,
as I will not be contained in your description
Məndə sığar iki cahan, mən bu cahana sığmazam
The two worlds are contained in Me,
But I will not be contained in these worlds
Gənci-nihan mənəm mən uş,
I am the Hidden Treasure, o My servant,
Eyni-əyan mənəm, mən uş,
I am the manifest, I am, My servant
Gövhəri-kan mənəm, mən uş,
I am the treasure mine, o My servant
Bəhrəvü kana sığmazam.
But I cannot be contained in the oceans and mines.
Tir mənəm, kaman mənəm, pir mənəm, cavan mənəm,
I am the arrow, I am the bow, I am the old, I am the young
Dövləti-cavidan mənəm, ayinədana sığmazam.
I am the Treasure of no abode,
I will not be contained in being or in the engendered world
Gərçi bu gün Nəsimiyəm, haşimiyəm, qureyşiyəm,
Even though today I may be a Nasimi, a Hashimi, a Qurayshi
Məndən uludur ayətim, ayətə, şana sığmazam
From Me the signs of My power find existence,
But I will not be contained in My sign of power
sığmazam, sığmazam, sığmazam, sığmazam
I cannot be contained, I cannot be contained,
I will not be contained,
I cannot be contained
Həm sədəfəm, həm inciyəm, həşrü sirat əsinciyəm,
I am the shell, I am the kernel,
I am the upholder of the Doomsday and Suspender of the Bridge*****
Bunca qumaşü rəxt ilə mən bu dükana sığmazam.
So you make a robe out of this cloth for such a day,
For I will not be contained in your store,
Şəhd ilə həm şəkər mənəm, şəms mənəm, qəmər mənəm,
I am the sugar, I am the honey, I am the Sun, I am the Moon,
Ruhi-rəvan bağışlaram, ruhi-rəvana sığmazam.
I bestow spirit to all things, But I will not be contained in spirit
Məndə sığar iki cahan, mən bu cahana sığmazam,
The two worlds are contained in Me,
But I will not be contained in these worlds
Gövhəri-laməkan mənəm, kövnü məkana sığmazam
I am the Treasure of no abode,
I cannot be contained in being or in the engendered world
Mən bu cahana sığmazam
I will not be contained in these worlds
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
*An allusion to the saying of the Prophet (a hadith qudsi wherein God speaks through the Prophet): ‘I was a Hidden Treasure and I longed to be known. So I created the creatures and they came to know Me.’
**An allusion to the Four Rightly Guided Caliphs
***An allusion to the Five Ahl al-Kisa (People of the Cloak: the Prophet, Ali, Fatimah, Hasan and Hossein) and to other revered figures
**** Names of tribes/families
*****An allusion to the bridge (al-sirat) that human beings must cross after death to enter Paradise.
The vocal and instrumental drones of this meditative piece in Shustar mugham resonate with echoes of Indian rags
and Middle East maqams. Featuring the vibrant voice of Sami Yusuf, its aim is to immerse the
listener’s spirit in contemplation.
Ateshgah, The Fire Temple, is an 18th century structure in Baku that speaks of the land’s Zoroastrian past.
CREDITS:
Musical Director & Composer: Sami Yusuf
Creative Producer & Director: Andrei Boltenko
Copyright of Andante Records
Mixed & Mastered by Vishnu Rajan @ Andante Studios
Video editing and post-production by Omar Al-Balushi @ Andante Studios
Commissioned by the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan
The vocal and instrumental drones of this meditative piece in Shustar mugham resonate with echoes of Indian rags
and Middle East maqams. Featuring the vibrant voice of Sami Yusuf, its aim is to immerse the
listener’s spirit in contemplation.
Ateshgah, The Fire Temple, is an 18th century structure in Baku that speaks of the land’s Zoroastrian past.
CREDITS:
Musical Director & Composer: Sami Yusuf
Creative Producer & Director: Andrei Boltenko
Copyright of Andante Records
Mixed & Mastered by Vishnu Rajan @ Andante Studios
Video editing and post-production by Omar Al-Balushi @ Andante Studios
Commissioned by the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan
The opening sounds of this dramatic new composition by Sami Yusuf carry
the eternal message of wind and stones, with anchoring vocalization by Emin Mammadov.
Shur mugham elements are then introduced through the astonishing voice of Kanan Bayramli.
The sweeping melody conveys the majesty of place and the weight of time.
Rising above the Caspian Sea, Gobustan’s boulders contain six thousand ancient stone carvings,
messages left by our human ancestors over twenty thousand years ago.
They speak to us not just of another time, but of another way of being.
One remarkable feature of Gobustan are its stone drums, an ancient means of communicating
across distance (like a Stone Age text message).
The sound of these stone drums are incorporated into this extraordinary piece.
—-
CREDITS:
Musical Director & Composer: Sami Yusuf
Creative Producer & Director: Andrei Boltenko
Copyright of Andante Records
Mixed & Mastered by Vishnu Rajan @ Andante Studios
Commissioned by the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan
The opening sounds of this dramatic new composition by Sami Yusuf carry
the eternal message of wind and stones, with anchoring vocalization by Emin Mammadov.
Shur mugham elements are then introduced through the astonishing voice of Kanan Bayramli.
The sweeping melody conveys the majesty of place and the weight of time.
Rising above the Caspian Sea, Gobustan’s boulders contain six thousand ancient stone carvings,
messages left by our human ancestors over twenty thousand years ago.
They speak to us not just of another time, but of another way of being.
One remarkable feature of Gobustan are its stone drums, an ancient means of communicating
across distance (like a Stone Age text message).
The sound of these stone drums are incorporated into this extraordinary piece.
—-
CREDITS:
Musical Director & Composer: Sami Yusuf
Creative Producer & Director: Andrei Boltenko
Copyright of Andante Records
Mixed & Mastered by Vishnu Rajan @ Andante Studios
Commissioned by the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan
Words by Seyyed Hossein Nasr
Composed, performed and produced by Sami Yusuf
Mixed & Mastered by Vishnu Rajan @ Andante Studios
Directed by Omar Habib @ Andante Studios
….
LYRICS:
Let us not forget
Let us not forget
who we are, whence we came, where we shall go
Let us not forget
We have now fallen and forgotten who we are
Wandering on earth with no compass in hand
But we can remember
We can remember
Let us not forget that although cast in this lowly world
Let us not forget
Although blinded by veils of neglect and heedlessness
We are placed here on earth to remember
To remember
Who we really are as we make this journey of earthly life
Words by Seyyed Hossein Nasr
Composed, performed and produced by Sami Yusuf
Mixed & Mastered by Vishnu Rajan @ Andante Studios
Directed by Omar Habib @ Andante Studios
….
LYRICS:
Let us not forget
Let us not forget
who we are, whence we came, where we shall go
Let us not forget
We have now fallen and forgotten who we are
Wandering on earth with no compass in hand
But we can remember
We can remember
Let us not forget that although cast in this lowly world
Let us not forget
Although blinded by veils of neglect and heedlessness
We are placed here on earth to remember
To remember
Who we really are as we make this journey of earthly life
