Lbenj’s ‘Hwasi’ tells the story of betrayal and resilience. Bennaji Zakaria pens the lyrics and composes the music, blending raw emotion with rhythmic beats. The song explores themes of loyalty, loss, and the struggle to find trust in a world that seems to turn its back on kindness.
Released: April 9, 2024
Hwasi
Lbenj
Hwasi Lyrics English Translation by Lbenj
Bennaji Zakaria writes, ‘I’m walking and leaning, but I haven’t fallen yet,’ a line that captures the fight to stay strong despite the weight of betrayal. The poet mentions ‘mint tea’ and ‘bitter wormwood,’ grounding the lyrics in cultural symbols of comfort and healing. The musician crafts a melody that mirrors the tension between pain and perseverance.
Ghadi w ymil baqi ma tah aahI’m walking and leaning, but I haven’t fallen yet.
Ded lkhouna rdak ayemma slahAgainst the traitors, your blessing, Mother, is my only weapon.
Elli fih ndawi fih kayjerrahThe one I try to heal is the one who wounds me.
Wach elli y’adi f nassou kayertahDoes the one who hurts his own people ever find peace?
Poupiya khouni khayba tkhoun essohbaYou traitorous doll, it’s a shame to betray a friendship.
Fraqo dima ferha elli ma dar bhsab el melhaHis departure is a joy for one who didn’t respect ‘shared bread and salt’.
Aatinahom qima bghaw ellaaqa rejaou selaaWe gave them value, but they wanted easy money and became a cheap commodity.
Aarfek gha meqfoussa bhal chi kas kawasi qeraaI know you’re just trapped, like an empty glass at a ‘meaningless party’.
F bahr errojla weldek ayemma aawamIn the sea of true manhood, your son, Mother, is a master swimmer.
Ma tgherou layam ma tsougou madamThe passing days don’t deceive him, nor does a woman lead him astray.
Elli kanou hbabi gha baaou li lawahmThose who were my closest friends only sold me empty illusions.
Khallawni west eddlam kaytchafi feya layamThey left me in the middle of the dark while the days mocked my pain.
Chaber tel w kanaayet chkoun elli fahem haliI’m holding onto the line and calling out, who really understands my soul?
Lhasra maachra hbali ma fadouni amwaliRegret has become my constant companion, and my wealth hasn’t helped me.
F men ntiq sidi rebbi w hbabi zadou ahwaliWho can I trust when even my friends only added to my burdens?
Ma grouch btaami dehri kellou drabiThey didn’t acknowledge my kindness; my back is covered in their strikes.
Echna aicha messoussa fraqek zad fawdaWe lived a tasteless life, and your departure only added to the chaos.
Echibiba mkhassoussa w lferha khass floushaOur youth is fading away, and joy always seems to require money.
Maaet ana aala lkbal falqetaa jat essawtaI didn’t care for the future until the whip of reality struck me hard.
Aasabi fouq louta aaref akhertha rawdaMy nerves are completely shattered, knowing the end is just a ‘final garden’.
Ghir gouli li ach ghadi maaya ndirJust tell me, what am I supposed to do with myself now?
Ach ghadi maaya ndir hadou klaw li hatta jeldiWhat will I do? These people have stripped me down to the bone.
Kititek ntina fal tayha kounti deddiI felt your sting when I fell; you were right there against me.
Hawili wehdi tsifiti ki lyahoudiYou left me all alone and acted like a heartless traitor.
Ah ah ah ah-ah wellit aayech ki chebahI’ve started living just like a ghost.
Daba ychedouni lryah gha mou’aqat essarahNow the winds catch me, but I’m only on temporary release.
Ah ah ah ah-ah siri rah mennek aadadGo away, because there are plenty of others just like you.
Maa ljawi w salban kandir masafat al amanWith ‘incense’ and spiritual protection, I’m keeping a safe distance.
Tetbanou f l’aid w l’bonne annéeYou only show up for holidays and New Year’s.
Movita solo naaniI’ve moved on alone, and that’s exactly what I meant.
Rajel machi raawani f’virage echedda telqaniA real man isn’t reckless; you’ll find me at the turn of hardship.
Tetbanou f l’aid w l’bonne annéeYou only appear when there’s a celebration.
Movita solo naaniI’m moving forward on my own.
Rajel machi raawani f’nhar echedda telqaniA real man isn’t reckless; you’ll find me on the day of struggle.
F hmoum ndadi ndadi houwa yehbech f wtadiWhile I struggle with my worries, he claws at my foundations.
Kount aatitou fadi houwa yhawess aala rwasiI gave him my heart openly, but he was only looking to take me down.
Chaber tel w kanaayet chkoun elli fahem haliI’m holding onto the line and calling out, who really understands my soul?
Lhasra maachra hbali ma fadouni amwaliRegret has become my constant companion, and my wealth hasn’t helped me.
F men ntiq sidi rebbi w hbabi zadou ahwaliWho can I trust when even my friends only added to my burdens?
Ma grouch btaami dehri kellou drabiThey didn’t acknowledge my kindness; my back is covered in their strikes.
Ha deg-deg ha deg-deg ya l’mimaBeat the drum, beat the drum, oh Mother.
La tawlich lghiba rah fraqek mssibaDon’t stay away for long, because losing you is a catastrophe.
Ha deg-deg ha deg-deg ya l’hbibaBeat the drum, beat the drum, my dear.
Ya wdirri mida fiha naanaa w chibaSet the table with ‘mint tea’ and ‘bitter wormwood’.
Ha deg-deg ha deg-deg ya l’mimaRhythm and soul, rhythm and soul, oh Mother.
La tawlich lghiba rah fraqek mssibaDon’t be gone too long; your absence is a disaster.
Ha deg-deg ha deg-deg ya l’hbibaRhythm and soul, rhythm and soul, my dear.
Ya wdirri mida fiha naanaa w chibaSet out the table with ‘fresh mint’ and ‘fragrant herbs’.
Ah ah ah ah-ah kayen binatna chebahThere’s a ghost standing between us.
Maa ljawi w salban kandir masafat al amanWith ‘incense’ and protection, I’m keeping my distance.
Ah ah ah ah-ah wellit aayech ki chebahI’ve started living just like a ghost.
Daba ychedouni ljwad gha mou’aqat essarahNow the ‘noble spirits’ have me, but it’s only a temporary release.
Ah ah ah ah-ah l’amour ma aandou tamanTrue love doesn’t have a price tag.
La kan f sabil lah aji naichou f salamIf it’s for the sake of the Divine, let’s live in peace.
L’amour ma aandou tamanLove is truly priceless.
La kan f sabil lah aji naichou f salamIf it’s for God’s sake, come let’s live in peace.
Hwasi Music Video
What does ‘Hwasi’ mean? The lyrics highlight the cost of betrayal and the strength it takes to keep moving forward. Lbenj delivers a powerful anthem that resonates with anyone who’s felt the sting of broken trust.