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(8:13)
(by Khorshied Machalle)
Khorshied Machalle: Vocals
George Winston: Piano
Yesterday I had a home
In one dark moment I'm forced to roam
A refugee for eternity
Where, oh where, have my people flown
Why must I cry these heated tears?
How can I go on throughout the years?
Endlessly searching to quell my fears
For one last glance of the refugee
Last night I dreamed of Afghanistan
Fighting for freedom in a troubled land
The people were singing some ancient song
Where are they now, where do they belong?
Why must I cry these heated tears?
How can I go on throughout the years?
Endlessly searching to quell my fears
For one last glance of the refugee
The women are draped in their shrouded veils
Hiding in terror, you can hear their wails
Their dreams have been shattered, their sweetness robbed
It's time to cry out, this madness must be stopped
Why must I cry these heated tears?
How can I go on throughout the years?
Endlessly searching to quell my fears
For one last glance of the refugee
For one last glance of Afghanistan...
© 1985/2002
(6:00)
(Traditional, arranged by M. Hasan Nusratty, Sakhi Karimi, and Khorshied Machalle)
M. Hasan Nusratty: Vocals
Sakhi Karimi: Harmonium
Jawad: Harmonium
Toryali Hashimy: Tabla
The translation to this traditional Afghan song is as follows:
Kind and gracious, you appeared on the rooftop the eve before. Surprised was I, your face shining brighter than a full moon ever before.
Oblivious to the wonderment of the crowd gazing at me - ecstatic, absorbed at your grace. Knew not I what spectacle you had coyly come to face.
For people wishing to see your beauty brightening night's darkness as a candle's flame. Like rays of dawn emerging out of night's darkness, gracefully you came.
(O Caravan Leader) (5:07)
(Traditional, arranged by Fatana Kohzad and Sakhi Karimi)
Fatana Kohzad: Vocals
Sakhi Karimi: Harmonium
Jawad: Harmonium
Toryali Hashimy: Tabla
Move but slow - O Caravan leader (Cameleer)!
For the peace of my soul is among the riders
The heart I had within me
Departs with the one to whom I lost it
Hold the Caravan, O cameleer
Make no haste - I plead with you
For my soul mate, the graceful walking Cyprus (euphemism for beloved)
Departs along with your Caravan
Legend and tales abound
As to how the soul departs from body
Simple! For I witnessed with my own eyes,
How my soul departed with the Caravan
(7:05)
(by Khorshied Machalle)
Khorshied Machalle: Vocals
George Winston: Piano
In the far away land of Afghanistan
In mysterious places unknown
Where beauty is hidden like treasure
In the silence of windowless homes
I long to dance in the moonlight
I long to walk in the breeze
I once stood free in the sunlight
Not once did I beg on my knees
In my dreams I remember warm summer days
The flat roofs of old Kandahar
Where we ate pomegranate with perfumed tea
And laughed in a river of stars
I long to run in the open wind
Feel rain as it cools on my skin
I long to hold my beloved
And never be treated as sin
What did we do to be treated this way?
When will this nightmare be over?
Proud, fierce, and noble ones
Don't turn your faces away...
Still I trust in the kindness of family
See sadness in my father's eyes
Pray daily for freedom's sweet promise
Don't listen to their heartless lies
I long to walk with my head up high
Smiling without any tears
I long to kiss in the open air
Never to tremble in fear
What did we do to be treated this way?
When will this nightmare be over?
Proud, strong, and noble ones
Don't turn your faces away...
© 1999/2002
(3:21)
(Traditional, arranged by George Winston)
George Winston: Solo Harmonica
Special thanks to M. Hasan Nusratty, Khorshied Machalle, and the Bruno Morris Dance Band (from their recording CAPER DIEM)
for teaching George this wonderful song. Inspired by the great Afghan harmonium players. Played on a Lee Oskar Diatonic key
of C harmonica, playing in the key of G. There is a definite relationship in style to Greek traditional music that can be
traced to the times when Alexander occupied Afghanistan (known as Bactria) in 325 BC. Alexander established the cities of
Kandahar, Herat and Balk, and encouraged his generals to intermarry with the peoples of this region. Many of the priceless
artifacts and art that the Taliban destroyed in the Kabul museum could be traced to this ancient time, clearly showing the
strength of Greek influence in this part of the world.
(Country) (3:24)
(Traditional, arranged by Fatana Kohzad and Sakhi Karimi)
Fatana Kohzad: Vocals
Omar Naim: Harmonium
Toryali Hashimy: Tabla
Homeland, O sweet homeland!
Memories of your love intertwined with the very fabric of my being
My whole body abounds with your love, O sweet homeland!
You brought me into being from nonexistence
And cherished me with love and kindness
I give my being and non-being for your sake, O homeland.
At every forum, every solitude and every joy and sorrow
I turn to you for worship, homeland, O sweet homeland.
(O Winner of my Heart) (4:15)
(Traditional, arranged by M. Hasan Nusratty, Khorshied Machalle)
M. Hasan Nusratty: Vocals
Toryali Hashimy: Tabla
O heart within me! Be not without the one who won it
My heart-winner better than a hundred hearts within me
Neither the heart within me, Oh!
Nor my heart-winner in my embrace
Send back my heart, enliven me!
Or send my heart-winner and give me new life.
Where were you the eve before?
Away you were from me the eve before!
Whom were you with and where?
So disloyal! Beauteous lover you were
I shed tears all night long because of your separation
Only I know that and He who created me
O soul mate, sweet lover come to me one fateful eve
I plead! And plead with you - come to me one fateful eve.
(by Khorshied Machalle) (5:58)
Khorshied Machalle: Vocals
George Winston: Piano
Stillness
Stillness of the night
When I hold you in my sight
Glowing embers smolder bright
In the stillness of the night
Stillness
All around us holding tight
Like an angel taking flight
And we love with all our might
In the stillness of the night
Suspended in emotion
Set free into the night
Adrift in our own ocean
Lost in candlelight
Stillness
Stillness all around
Speaking words without a sound
Spinning softly to the ground
In the stillness all around
All around...
Stillness
All around us holding tight
Like an angel taking flight
And we love with all our might
In the stillness of the night
Suspended in emotion
Set free into the night
Adrift in our own ocean
Lost in candlelight
© 1999/2002
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