Lyrics

[Verse 1]
Walking these crowded streets alone
Strange faces pass me by
My heart beats with the rhythm
Of a village far away
(Ya layli, ya layli)
[Verse 2]
The morning call to prayer
Sounds different in this place
I miss our small mosque's voice
And familiar faithful ways
(Ya layli, ya layli)
[Chorus]
Cairo's lights shine bright and cold
But they can't warm my soul like home
Mother's lamp still burns at night
Guiding me back where I belong
(Ya habibi, ya ainy)
[Verse 3]
My hands built tall buildings
When they used to plant our land
The smell of dust and steel
Not like our fertile sand
(Ya layli, ya layli)
[Bridge]
[Mizmar Solo]
La la la, ya layli
La la la, ya ainy
[Verse 4]
Letters from my sister
Say the dates are turning sweet
While I count the days until
My village path I'll meet
(Ya layli, ya layli)
[Chorus]
Cairo's lights shine bright and cold
But they can't warm my soul like home
Mother's lamp still burns at night
Guiding me back where I belong
(Ya habibi, ya ainy)
[Outro]
[Layali vocal improvisation]
Ya layli... ya layli...