I saw the Orient and its treasures
With the moon as a banner
And I intended in a few verses
To put its splendor into a song
But when I saw Jerusalem
A lonely poppy on the rock
I heard a sound of requiem
When I held it in my hand
Oh little chapel, don't you see
When you whisper "Peace on earth"
The little birds fly away with fear
When the hear the shout of gun
The road will lead you to the fountain
Where you would like to fill your jug
You better stop Marie Magdalena
For them your body ain't worth water
Inch'Allah! Inch'Allah! God willing! Inch'Allah!
The olive tree is crying for its shadow
Its tender friend, tender wife
Who is lying in the ruins
Captive on the enemy side
On the phone, on the wire
The butterfly was seeking a rose
Saying to himself people are so mad
They will kill me if I ever dare
Lord of heaven lord of hell
You are where you like to be
But don't you see the hungry people
Don't you hear the children cry
Inch'Allah! Inch'Allah! God willing! Inch'Allah!
Is our life a crucifixion?
Must we suffer through the years?
Just an endless genuflexion
Washing blood away with tears
Yes I saw Jerusalem
A lonely poppy on the rock
I always hear that requiem
Seeing in my troubled mind
Requiem for six millions souls
Who don't have their marble grave
And weather groomed sands
They are now six millions trees
Inch'Allah! Inch'Allah! God willing! Inch'Allah!
INCH'ALLAH
(2nd version)
I saw the Orient and its treasures
With the moon as a banner
And I intended in a few verses
To put its splendor into a song
But when I saw Jerusalem
Just like a red rose in the sand
I heard a silent requiem
When I held it in my hand
I found a chapel, I tried a prayer
But that's when the nightmare began
Even the birds flew away with fear
When they heard the sound of guns
And I could feel the weight of hatred
With Cries on both sides of the street
Oh Lord of love weren't you born here?
It's you I had just come to meet
Inch'Allah! Inch'Allah! God willing! Inch'Allah!
The olive tree wept for its shadow
Its tender love, tender wife
Who was lying on the ruins
On the other side of life
Trembling on the barbed wire
A butterfly was watching a flower
Thinking "People are so mad"
They'd kill me if I cross the border
Children of Ismaël and Israël
Before your whole land turns to hell
Why don't you try some steps together
Guided by a white dove in the sky
Inch'Allah! Inch'Allah! God willing! Inch'Allah!
Is our life a crucifixion?
Must we suffer through the years?
As we struggle for redemption
Washing blood away with tears
Oh yes I saw Jerusalem
Like a red rose in the sand
I always hear that requiem
Each time I hold it in my hand
Requiem for millions of souls
Of people lying in nameless tombs
In heaven there's room for them all
Now enough blood, Salam! Shalom!