Joujma presents ‘Mayoufech,’ a powerful expression of resilience. The Tunisian artist delivers a heartfelt story about endurance and strength. Samah Riahi and Wassim Ben Hamouda write lyrics while also composing the tune with Evi Beats.
Released: April 28, 2024
Mayoufech
Joujma
Mayoufech Meaning & Lyrics (Joujma)
Samah Riahi describes pain that ‘the eye has seen, oh people,’ focusing on physical imagery of suffering. The lyricist talks about betrayal from close ones who ‘killed our feelings.’ He mentions specific details like wearing Nikes and pushing ahead in a divided neighborhood.
Belli dhaqet bina soufrina la ma shekinachEven when the world tightened on us and we suffered, we didn’t complain
Qalbi mliq sima ahasis ma tet’addachMy heart is overflowing with emotions that can’t be counted
Nsina kan edouni wa hbabna la ma nsinachWe only forgot those who hurt us, but we never forgot our loved ones
Amelnah byidina somna l-farha wa ma shrinachWe built it with our own hands, we fasted for joy and didn’t buy it
Wa li f-qalbi ma youfachAnd what’s in my heart never ends
Belli ash nahki nqoul wa li f-qalbi ma youfachNo matter how much I talk or say, what’s in my heart never ends
Wa li f-qalbi ma youfachAnd what’s in my heart never ends
Belli nahki nqoul wa li f-qalbi ma youfachNo matter how much I talk or say, what’s in my heart never ends
Yowja3 l-qalb li ratou l-3in ya nasIt hurts the heart, what the eye has seen, oh people
3ishna ghadret l-nas qrab wa qatlou fina l-ihsasWe’ve lived through the betrayal of close ones who killed our feelings
Wa d-denya tdour tdour tdourAnd the world goes ’round and ’round and ’round
Wa d-denya tdour wa tawa tishreb min nafs l-kasThe world turns, and now you’ll drink from that same cup
Ahna mradhna b-halwas brina fi absat hajaWe were sick with hallucinations but healed by the simplest things
Basmna wa dzzina faza wa ma dazish m3ana flanWe left our mark and pushed ahead, and no one helped us
T#hana wa malhoumshi 3ezza b-dra3na wa fakkina blasaThey’re crushed and have no dignity; with our own strength, we took our place
Dima t3arafna ki tl3na sh3alna l-lsanWe’ve always been known, ever since we rose and spoke our truth
Wa barra qoulou fi l-amanAnd go ahead, say you’re safe
Fi l-amanIn safety
Barra qoulou fi l-aman wa barra qoulou fi l-amanGo on, tell ’em you’re safe, and go on, tell ’em you’re safe
Fi l-amanIn safety
Barra qoulou barra qoulou fi l-amanGo on, tell ’em, tell ’em you’re safe
Belli dhaqet bina soufrina la ma shekinachEven when the world tightened on us and we suffered, we didn’t complain
Qalbi mliq sima ahasis ma tet’addachMy heart is overflowing with emotions that can’t be counted
Nsina kan edouni wa hbabna la ma nsinachWe only forgot those who hurt us, but we never forgot our loved ones
Amelnah byidina somna l-farha wa ma shrinachWe built it with our own hands, we fasted for joy and didn’t buy it
Wa li f-qalbi ma youfachAnd what’s in my heart never ends
Belli ash nahki nqoul wa li f-qalbi ma youfachNo matter how much I talk or say, what’s in my heart never ends
Wa li f-qalbi ma youfachAnd what’s in my heart never ends
Belli nahki nqoul wa li f-qalbi ma youfachNo matter how much I talk or say, what’s in my heart never ends
Ikhtart thneya b3ida ommi wa l-lah mouch menniI chose a distant path, mother, and I swear it wasn’t my choice
L-farha 3liya b3ida 3isht dhlam bash nwalliJoy is far from me; I lived in the dark just to become someone
Shikha khadhetli thneya bin l-zanaqi nghanni‘Shikha’ (high/euphoria) took my path as I sing among the alleyways
Wa li mat mkhalli wasiya bladkom no my bash toulliHe who died left a testament: your country won’t be mine anymore
Ash min hwalkom houma ti hkayet houlaHow are you doing? Their stories are just ‘houla’ (absurd/nonsense)
L-tawa b-Nike wa shadin taqsimat l-houmaStill wearing Nikes and holding down the ‘houma’ (neighborhood) divisions
B-l-3in khadhouna jomla hasounaThey took us all with their ‘evil eye’, they envied us
Khallou l-waji3a f-qalbi b-l-a3wem mahkoumaThey left the pain locked in my heart for years
Bi3ou li ba3ak ma tstanna minhom kelmaSell out those who sold you; don’t wait for a word from them
Zid fakk mta3ak fi mnamhom tawa toulli helmaTake back what’s yours; in their dreams, it’ll become a nightmare
Jibha b-dra3ak wa tkayaf wa ihki m3a l-qomraEarn it with your own hands, smoke, and talk to the moon
Wahdi f-biti ntedhkkar ki tich l-dhulmaAlone in my room, I remember when the darkness settles
Wa l-dhulma tjib flous kan mashi jib-li zouzAnd the darkness brings money; if you’re going, bring me ‘zouz’ (two/a pair)
Tqoss ryous n3ich f-nas znousIt cuts off heads; I live among ‘znous’ (vile/wicked) people
Off-white shoes bash mahjouzOff-White shoes, for what am I reserved?
Qoul l-dowla l-matrak ma ta3ti drous baw bawTell the state that the ‘matrak’ (police baton) doesn’t teach lessons, ‘baw baw’ (gunshots)
Belli dhaqet bina soufrina la ma shekinachEven when the world tightened on us and we suffered, we didn’t complain
Qalbi mliq sima ahasis ma tet’addachMy heart is overflowing with emotions that can’t be counted
Nsina kan edouni wa hbabna la ma nsinachWe only forgot those who hurt us, but we never forgot our loved ones
Amelnah byidina somna l-farha wa ma shrinachWe built it with our own hands, we fasted for joy and didn’t buy it
Wa li f-qalbi ma youfachAnd what’s in my heart never ends
Belli ash nahki nqoul wa li f-qalbi ma youfachNo matter how much I talk or say, what’s in my heart never ends
Wa li f-qalbi ma youfachAnd what’s in my heart never ends
Belli nahki nqoul wa li f-qalbi ma youfachNo matter how much I talk or say, what’s in my heart never ends
Mayoufech Music Video
‘Mayoufech’ is about enduring hardship with dignity. The lyrics show how true strength comes from building your own path without complaint.