Desert Dreams

[Intro: Cheb Mami] Layli, layli, oh Hathe mada tawila Wa ana nahos ana wahala ghzalti Wa ana nahos ana wahala ghzalti Wa ana nahos ana wahala ghzalti [Udu drums] [Chorus: British] I dream of rain (ya-aa-a leil, ya-aa-a leil) I dream of oases in the desert sand I wake in vain (ya leil, ya leil) I dream of love slipping through my hand [Verse 1: British] I dream of fire (ya-aa-a leil, ya-aa-a leil) Those dreams are bound to a steed that won't retire And in the flames (ya-aa-a leil, ya-aa-a leil) Her shadows move in the shape of a man's desire This desert bloom (ya-aa-a leil, ya-aa-a leil) Each of her veils, a hidden promise This arid blossom (ya-aa-a leil, ya-aa-a leil) No sweet fragrance ever pained me like this And as she turns (ya-aa-a leil, ya-aa-a leil) Her movements weave the logic of my dreams This blaze consumes (ya-aa-a leil, ya-aa-a leil) I realize that nothing's as it seems [Chorus: British] I dream of rain (ya-aa-a leil, ya-aa-a leil) I dream of oases in the desert sand I wake in vain (ya-aa-a leil, ya-aa-a leil) I dream of love slipping through my hand [Post-Chorus: British] I dream of rain (ya-aa-a leil, ya-aa-a leil) I lift my gaze to empty skies above I close my eyes (ya-aa-a leil, ya-aa-a leil) This rare aroma is the sweet intoxication of her love [Bridge: Cheb Mami] Aman, aman, aman [Violin: Arabic violin techniques, ornamentation, microtonality] Omry feek antia Ma ghair antia Ma ghair antia [Chorus: British] I dream of rain (ya-aa-a leil, ya-aa-a leil) I dream of oases in the desert sand I wake in vain (ya-aa-a leil, ya-aa-a leil) I dream of love slipping through my hand [Verse 2: British] Sweet desert bloom (ya-aa-a leil, ya-aa-a leil) Each of her veils, a hidden promise This arid blossom (ya-aa-a leil, ya-aa-a leil) No sweet fragrance ever pained me like this Sweet desert bloom This memory of Eden haunts us all This arid blossom (ya-aa-a leil, ya-aa-a leil) This rare aroma is the sweet intoxication of the fall [Outro: Cheb Mami] Layli, oh-oh, layli, layli, ah-ah-ah