Mint of the Garden .. نعناع الجنينة

This is a song from Egyptian Nubian folklore. Its most famouse version is the one sung by "The King" Mohamed Mounir though in reality it's an excerpt from the much longer original. This translation attempt is only of the Mounir rendition.

She said to me I want you, oh walad-ammi(1)
Come taste the nectar, seeping from my mouth

Be gentle with me, for I can't bear the strength of your embrace
Be gentle with me, for I am my parents' sole possession

(chorus) Mint of the garden, laying well-watered in its bins
(chorus) Banana trees have fruited, and shaded their trunks

In the love of girls, I've beaten Napoleon
My car stalled, even-though its wheels are brand new

I submitted my complaint, to the governor of Khartoum(2)
He postponed my court-date, till the end of days!

(chorus)

I asked what is her name, girls said "Neimat"(3)
The one with two fingers like over-ripened dates(4), and the rest like fresh ones

The day they beckoned to us, with her soft hands
I said 2 yesses or 3, or 4 or 5 yesses!

(chorus)

Your green is like a garden, that fruited sweet figs
Your silhouette as you walk, makes soft curves

Your bones are malleable, matching your curves
1 curve and 2 and 3, and 4 and 5 curves

(chorus)

You with two golden chains, 33 links each
No eyes have ever seen such, neither a virgin has ever worn

The day she glanced at us, everyone dropped drunken to the ground
If she'd fell into milk, the milk wouldn't be fouled!(5)

(chorus)

--==END==--

1. literally "cousin", it's a term of endearment used in older societies in Egypt by women when speaking to their husband (as in, so dear it's like being blood-relatives).
2. Khartoum is the capital of Sudan.
3. Neimat is a classical Egyptian female name that literally means gifts from God.
4. This is a reference to the common practice in southern Egypt to draw henna art on women's bodies (in the west it is known more as Mehendi from Indian culture). In this case, two of her fingertips are painted dark brown with henna.
5. As in, her skins is so clear and white she wouldn't even be visible if she'd been dropped into milk.

Egypt and Sudan .. مصر والسودان

(chorus) Dengy Dengy Dengy Dengy .. Dengy Dengy Dengy Dengy
(chorus) Dengy Dengy Dengy Dengy .. Dengy Dengy Dengy Dengy

Auntie Umm-Ahmad(1) told me, a word right into my ear
They stole the box dear Ahmad .. but its key is with me(2)

"Inna Ya Shingy Kerekry"
(chorus)


What a disaster that came at such short notice .. like a rocket into my ears
There is no such thing as an Egyptian, or as a Sudani(3)

The Nile river's head is on one side, its legs are on the other
The upper part would be lost .. If the lower left it

"Inna Ya Shingy Kerekry"
(chorus)

White or Black oh borama(4) .. we've always lived together
Sudani filled with dignity .. Egyptian always our brother

Both are neighbours in country .. one wall supporting the other(5)
These people are bad news .. want to turn us into chocolate(6)

"Inna Ya Shingy Kerekry"
(chorus)

Our cuisine is superb ..  Like that of a Chef in a Pasha's(7) house
One day black-eyed peas and baklava .. Another day molokheyya(8) and boghasha(9)

Oh Europe be our witness .. on these crazy politics
Our flag is one and the same .. Should always stay as such

"Inna Ya Shingy Kerekry"
(chorus)

1. Literally "Mother of Ahmad", in conservative Arabic societies, women do not like to share their names with strangers so they prefer to use this form made of her eldest son's name.
2. This is a common proverb in Egyptian culture. Loosely it implies that the speaker understands the true meaning of the topic, while others just run away with its face value.
3. As in, they are one and the same
4. Borama is a word that loosely translates to "wise guy" or "smarty pants"
5. Another common Egyptian expression, used to express closeness of 2 neighbours. Equivalent to saying "next door neighbour" which in Arabic culture implies a large amount of friendship and even responsibility for one another.
6. As in make a mess of things and cause problems.
7. Pasha is the Turkish version of the title of a noble lord (Egypt was under Ottoman rule for a long time). After aboloshing peerage in Egypt, the word continue to be used as a way of describing someone rich or in power.
8. Molokheyya is a dish (soup, specifically) unique to Egypt. Some call it the green soup, which is made from chicken stock and the minced green leaves of the Molokheyya plant.
9. Boghasha is a middle eastern flaky pastry which is commonly used as a way of describing someone (typically a woman) as being fine, sweet and delicate.