Issa Boulos's 2007 album "al-Hallaj" is a unique musical project that brings to life eight poems by the Sufi mystic Mansur al-Hallaj, whose writings date back over a thousand years. The album features  Issa Boulos on 'ud and supporting vocals, Basel Zayed (vocals), Samer Totah ('ud), Yousef Zayed (percussion), and Ibrahim 'Atari (qanun). Recorded in Ramallah, the compositions skillfully blend traditional instrumentation with Boulos's contemporary approach, giving the timeless poetry a fresh and emotionally resonant musical setting. The project is notable for its deep engagement with Sufi philosophy and the tragic life story of al-Hallaj, offering listeners a contemplative and artistically rich experience rooted in historical depth and cultural significance.  The full Arabic lyrics are include,d and the translation of this song is below.

Translation:
I am the one whose ego is relentlessly longing for a forceful death, and it seems to be in limbo.

I am the one whose soul is anxious and shouts from alienation and has just drowned.

I am saddened, excruciating, and worried; my being’s love is jailed, and yet it’s free.

How can I survive when he stabs my liver with the arrows of his side-glance?

If my kidneys were starved and had nothing to feed upon and get diluted in the heat of misery and get burned down, they will, even though they speak of what my conscience has concealed, tears of revelation will be set free, and they will finally talk of secrets.

Click here to purchase the album.

Click here to purchase the special 25th-anniversary package commemorating the first performance of these profound songs on December 16, 2000. This exclusive package offers more than just the music—it includes insightful testimonies and writings that delve deeply into the creative journey of composing these compositions. Discover the nuances, inspirations, and reflections that shaped the music and poetry, revealing the intimate process behind bringing Mansur al-Hallaj’s timeless Sufi poems to life through Issa Boulos's artistry. Celebrate a quarter-century of this unique fusion of ancient spiritual poetry and contemporary musical expression.


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