Syrian Conflict Played Out in Song

By Maryam Hasan

Syria’s ruler Bashar al-Assad and the nation over which he rules are literally polls apart.

Syrians love peace and co-existence while Bashar chooses tanks and fighter jets. The people seek dignity and prosperity, their president prefers fear and poverty.

The nation longs for the occupied Golan Heights, the Assads love the status quo with Israel.

Yet the two camps have something in common too. Both use music and poetry to taunt each other and justify their respective positions. For self-respecting, subjugated Syrians, protests songs are a concerted response to Bashar and his courtiers’ diktats. In his last so-called reconciliatory speech, Bashar extended the “olive branch” to the opposition by branding peaceful protesters “agents, vandals and viruses”.Activist and writer Mundaseen responded to Bashar’s tirade with a song with the following lyrics, “They said we are agents! . . . They said we armed! . . . They said we are salfis! But they forgot that we are Syrians first!”

In March, the Syrian uprising broke out with songs instead of slogans.  Often, protesters hummed patriotic songs, which were soon posted on Youtube and Facebook, accompanied with simple still photos.After a month of the revolution, songs have improved with the fusion of eastern and western musical instruments and some ingenious forms of rap.

The first all-rap song – Biyan 1 or Statement 1 – has a no- nonsense message for Bashar and his clique, “You sold the Golan cheaply . . . You sabotaged and defied our cause . . . History bears witness that no oppressor ever lasted . . . We will realise our dream of freedom even if it costs blood.” Biyan 2 is also out and becoming more popular with its modern music and even better delivery.

Al-Shaab Yureed, meaning the people want, reminds the regime of the plea of citizens who “want just freedom without compromising their dignity”. Every songwriter reminds Bashar how vital his exit has become. The urge for freedom takes over from trademark Syrian politeness.In the popular song ‘Irhal’ , meaning leave, the lyrics are unequivocal,  “Get out Bashar  . . .  You are a liar . . . To hell with your speech and your Baath Party  . . . Yes it’s the time to leave.”The Bashar camp has the best propaganda tools available, especially the state TV, utilising every resource to respond to the lyrical taunts hurled at the regime. Famous singer Noura Rahal and another TV personality Wafek Sebei are among the performers it enlists for its cause.Soon after the protesters release a new song, the loyalists rush to issue a response.Menhebak, meaning we like you, is all in praise of Hafiz al-Assad’s son, “The days of the year are not enough to tell how much we like you. Your heart is bigger than the sky.”Meanwhile, Noura Rahal got a stiff response from children with the song Ma menhebak, “You (Bashar) pretend to be a doctor who doesn’t like killing but is concerned to provide children with milk and food. Aren’t you the same strange killer of Hamza al-Khatib.”

 

Al-Shaab Yureed, meaning the people want, reminds the regime of the plea of citizens who “want just freedom without compromising their dignity”. Every songwriter reminds Bashar how vital his exit has become. The urge for freedom takes over from trademark Syrian politeness.In the popular song ‘Irhal’ , meaning leave, the lyrics are unequivocal, “Get out Bashar . . . You are a liar . . . To hell with your speech and your Baath Party . . . Yes it’s the time to leave.”The Bashar camp has the best propaganda tools available, especially the state TV, utilising every resource to respond to the lyrical taunts hurled at the regime. Famous singer Noura Rahal and another TV personality Wafek Sebei are among the performers it enlists for its cause.Soon after the protesters release a new song, the loyalists rush to issue a response.Menhebak, meaning we like you, is all in praise of Hafiz al-Assad’s son, “The days of the year are not enough to tell how much we like you. Your heart is bigger than the sky.”Meanwhile, Noura Rahal got a stiff response from children with the song Ma menhebak, “You (Bashar) pretend to be a doctor who doesn't like killing but is concerned to provide children with milk and food. Aren’t you the same strange killer of Hamza al-Khatib.”

Listening to such music is considered by the state to be subversive. Last month, a street vendor was arrested for listening to Yaheef , or injustice, which condemns the killing of  children in Daraa by the military). And an Imam was picked up for playing opposition music in a mosque during a Friday prayer.

In the absence of free media, these tragedy-infused songs top the music charts. Mohammad, a 28-year-old an engineer, said, “The chants make me cry everyday but they make me stronger, by reminding us of the crimes of the regime.”

Amal, 26, a teacher, sees the songs as the mouthpiece of revolution. “If the world can’t see what’s happening here, it can listen to our songs and stand with us.”