Ya Mustapha

COUNTRY: many, such as Egypt, Lebanon and Turkey
LANGUAGE: French, Arabic, Turkey (many versions)

GENRE: Bellydance

This is a popular belly dancing song with unclear origins, most likely Egypt, though it’s apparently also well-known throughout the region (see how “A Song Conquers the World.”) The most widely recognized versions are by the Egyptian-born Lebanese singer Bob Azzam, who released the song in France in 1960, and U.S.-based Middle Eastern/bellydancing musician, George Abdo, though versions have been recorded around the world, such as this playful one from Turkey.

Lyrics of All Around This World version:

Cherie je tiame, Cherie je t’adore, Como la salsa del pomodoro.
Cherie je tiame, Cherie je t’adore, Como la salsa del pomodoro.
Darling I love you, without you I am lost
I love you more than tomato sauce
Darling I love you, without you I am lost
I love you more than tomato sauce

Ya Mustapha, ya Mustapha, oh how I love you Mustapha
After all that we’ve been through I want to be back at home with you

I see you in the market I see you on the street
I see you in the faces of all the friends I meet
You have been away so long I see you when I sing this song
You have been away so long I see you when I sing this song

Ya Mustapha, ya Mustapha, oh how I love you Mustapha
After all that we’ve been through I want to be back at home with you

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