from Eric Walberg

Two song/videos have captured the hearts of Egyptians and are a way for us to join in the bitter-sweet euphoria of their magical moment in history.The most widely watched video/ song is "The sound of freedom" by Eid Amir/ Many Adel. Here it is with subtitles.

(My translation) I came and vowed not to go back And wrote with my blood in all the streets We made listen those who weren’t listening And defied all the strictures/ forbiddens Our weapons were our dreams Tomorrow is clear before us For a long time waiting Looking for and not finding our place In all the streets of our land The sound of freedom calling.

The poetry read out in the middle is by Abdel-Rahman El-Abnudi: (My translation) Oh dark Egyptian hands, extending discriminating amid the roar, breaking the poster frames under the sun at this appropriate time. The brightness in the sound of the crowd… see Egypt the family of the nation of old men, entrenched old men, vicious, they eat our country, and are alike insatiable, greedy, looking the same. Creative youth arose and turned its autumn into spring and realized a miracle, awakened the killed from the killing. Kill me. My death will not return your country again. I am writing with my blood a new life to our homelands. My blood, it and the spring, the two in the colour green and I am smiling from my happiness and not unhappy.

Amir and Adel certainly were opportunists in the best sense of the word, quickly writing a song, preparing the staging it as part of the demos. It's rather fluffy music, a remix of the famous "We Are the World" video of 1985, but i realize they didn't have much time. They're not well known. It captures the euphoria that people still feel.

The best song that came out during the revolution which I quote in US-Egypt: 'Why?'.

How (Why)? by Mohamed Munir

How to make you happy with me, dear? Your name is beloved but you continue to upset me. How can you not feel my basic goodness?

I don't feel in your love any reason (impulse) Nor does my truth in loving you console me How is it I raise your head and you put me down?

I am your oldest street I am your hopes better than those that abuse you I am a child dependent on you Lost in the middle of the road/ life.

If love of you was my choice My heart would long ago have changed you for another But I vow I will continue to change your life for the better Till you are content with me.

How can (why do) you leave me in weakness? Why are you not standing at my side? I live my life in this condition so I don't have to see fear in your eyes. On your land and sea, how can I protect your back While sleeping with my own back exposed, humiliated and embarrassed?

Eric Walberg http://ericwalberg.com/