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about
Tura D'Nareh is a true Assyrian folk song. The writers are unknown, and this song has seemingly existed forever within the Assyrian community. It was first recorded by Sargon Gabriel for his 1980 album, Shlama Atouraya. Now, 40 years later, in collaboration with Jazz, RnB and Funk musicians, it is being given a new life.
If I'm a melody - when I’m in Iraq surrounded by Assyrians, I’m in unison. When I’m here in the US, in Chicago, I sound different. I have a different context around me. This whole record was me exploring my identity. And in a sense, I’m the melody personified. In taking an Assyrian melody and re-contextualizing it in an American way, I’m just recreating my life story.
The lyrics are sung from the perspective of a man who is in love with a married woman. He keeps ascending the mountain she lives on, which he calls her mountain, and describing the situation. He describes her biskeh (which are her earlocks - pieces of hair that fell out from under scarves that women tied their hair with) as different types of silk, and also talks about the qualities of her ever-present husband. In the choruses, he laments life and asks God to take him away.
Di mehrri mehrri mehrri, di mehrri mehrri
Bassee min danneh khayeh, ya maree shqollee
Di mehrri mehrri mehrri, di mehrri mehrri
Bassee min danneh khayeh, ya maree shqollee
Di mehrri mehrri mehrri, di mehrri mehrri
Bassee min danneh khayeh, ya maree shqollee
Di mehrri mehrri mehrri, di mehrri mehrri
Bassee min danneh khayeh, ya maree shqollee
Di mehrri mehrri mehrri, di mehrri mehrri
Bassee min danneh khayeh, ya maree shqollee
Di mehrri mehrri mehrri, di mehrri mehrri
Bassee min danneh khayeh, ya maree shqollee
***TRANSLATION NOTES***
Blank ____ indicates unknown word.
Unknown words could be a lost word, no longer used in our Assyrian community today. They could be borrowed from other cultures that Assyrians lived amongst, including Turkish, Kurdish, Armenian and Jewish nieghbors.
They could be words that were used in niche settings, like the small clan of people who the writers of this song belonged to, within the greater Tyareh tribe. Note: this song is thought to have originated from the Tyareh tribe of the Assyrian people. The Tyareh region encompasses northern Iraq and Southeastern Turkey.
There are also two highly possible translations for the chorus. Please watch the videos on my instagram page where I explain the different possible meanings.
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I ascended Nareh's mountain, they call it a mountain
Her earlocks are like ___ silk
I want to kiss Nareh, but her husband is vigilant
I said/ She said, "I've had enough of this life, Lord take me."
I ascended Nareh's mountain, they call it a gathering place
Her earlocks are like red silk
I want to kiss Nareh, but her husband is excitable
I said/ She said, "I've had enough of this life, Lord take me."
I ascended Nareh's mountain, they call it high
Her earlocks are like black silk
I want to kiss Nareh, but her husband is handsome
I said/ She said, "I've had enough of this life, Lord take me."
I ascended Nareh's mountain, they call it ____
Her earlocks are like ____ silk
I want to kiss Nareh, but her husband is young
I said/ She said, "I've had enough of this life, Lord take me."
credits
released June 30, 2023
Lyrics & Melody- Folkloric Assyrian
Arranged by - Marcos Rios, Rachel Sarah Thomas, Michael Poupko
Produced, engineered and mixed by Michael Poupko at OM Studios
Mastered by James Auwarter at Coda Room Audio
Vocal - Rachel Sarah Thomas
Guitar - Marcos Rios
Drums - Rexsell Hardy
Bass - Adam Brown
Trombone - Alex Wasily
Special thanks to Larry King for leaving behind some magic at OM studios.
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!
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