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about

Barwar is my reimagining of the beloved and lively Assyrian dance song by Juliana Jendo. The lyrics of the song compare a girls lovely flushed cheeks to the renowned sweet red apples of the Barwar region of northern Iraq. After visiting northern Iraq, visiting some of the villages mentioned in the second verse of this song, speaking with the people that lived there, I learned that the apple orchards of Barwar are failing due to lack of access to water. This is because of frequent bombing at the Iraqi-Turkish border that has damaged canals and made the possibility of repairing them dangerous to the people of the Barwari villages. So, I wanted to reimagine the song to reflect the current bittersweet reality of the Assyrian people of Barwar.

lyrics

Aya khamta dwiqla b'khigga
Khacha droh illah bala
Ehn sasaneh akh khaboosheh
Smooqeh d'barwaribala

Barwar Barwar Barwareela
Khamta d'Barwaribala
Barwar Barwar Barwareela
Barwarnethehla bala

M'Ennoonela, yan m'Derrishkeh
Yan min Doorela sleetha
M'Tashish ela yan min Eeyit
Yan min mayyeela khleeta

Barwar Barwar Barwareela
Khamta d'Barwaribala
Barwar Barwar Barwareela
Barwarnethehla bala

Oh hawa d'makheh b'6oraneh
Yawil rekha d'rekhaneh
Eh qomta akh taqet d'elaneh
Oo ega d'joja akh quqwaneh

Barwar Barwar Barwareela
Khamta d'Barwaribala
Barwar Barwar Barwareela
Barwarnethehla bala

Kikhla d'aiynah shoopra d'leleh
Ega d'leh haweh sara
Go khigga shyasha roshanah
Akh ghazalah d'la mara

Barwar Barwar Barwareela
Khamta d'Barwaribala
Barwar Barwar Barwareela
Barwarnethehla bala

credits

released August 25, 2023
Barwar
Lyrics & Melody - Dawood Barkho
Arranged by - Marcos Rios, Rachel Sarah Thomas, Michael Poupko

Engineered, Produced by Michael Poupko
Mixed by Michael Poupko at OM Studios
Mastered by James Auwarter at Coda Room Audio

Vocal - Rachel Sarah Thomas
Guitar - Marcos Rios
Guitar and percussion - Michael Poupko
Drums - Rexsell Hardy
Bass and Moog - Adam Brown
Doombeg and Percussion - Kalyan

Photo by @jb_on_keys
Cover art by @maliktaesther

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Rachel Sarah Thomas image

Rachel Sarah Thomas Chicago, Illinois

Assyrian-American singer Rachel Sarah Thomas blends folkloric and pop music from Iraq, Iran, and Syria with funk, soul, and rock n' roll. Her first single, "Shara," released on May 19th, 2023, preceeds her upcoming EP Sheekar!

rachelsarahthomas.com ... more

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