The poems of the Andalusian Sufi, Abu’l-Hasan Shushtari (d. 1269) parallel and perhaps indirectly influenced some of my favorite Flamenco lyrics. Compare this pair of songs: Your love for me is not a fantasy However much they forbid that I love you, like a jib to the water I will resist. Only your tender love…
Deep Songs from Spain
A collection of some lovely Flamenco lyrics The sighs that come from me and those that come from you, if they meet on their way what things they will say! Original: Suspiros que de mí salgan y otros que de ti saldrán, si en el camino se encuentran ¡qué de cosas se dirán! If blood…
The name “Allah”
Translation: Alif before double lam and Ha-the delight of the eye Alif proclaims the name with two lams without body and Ha is the sign of the writing “Secret” is spelled with two letters. There is a name with no place. Read these letters together. You will see by them, the heart is satisfied and forgets its past trials…
Shushtari in Song
One of the most powerful recordings of Sufi music, this medley of Shustari’s poetry begins with the following poem: Translation: They are my sweetest moments when you are joined with my essence When you are with my essence The sun of intimacy dawns in me My poverty came to me naturally And existence…
Shakespeare, Shushtari, and the Sultan
Sonnet 29 When in disgrace with fortune and men’s eyes I all alone beweep my outcast state, And trouble deaf heaven with my bootless cries, And look upon myself, and curse my fate, Wishing me like to one more rich in hope, Featured like him, like him with friends possessed, Desiring this man’s art, and…
The wine was so fine…
The following was one of Ibn ‘Arabi’s favorite verses of poetry, oft-quoted by Sufi authors ranging from al-Ghazzali to Fakhr ad-din ‘Iraqi to Emir ‘abd al-Qadir to explain the mysterious relationship between God and the heart. The glass was so clear, and so was the wine they became so similar, that it became…
Hafez on Ramadan
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=or3Jxc76wtA Translation: In the month of Sha’aban, do not neglect the glass of wine This sun will disappear untl the ‘Eid of Ramadan Original: ماه شعبان منه از دست قدح کاین خورشید از نظر تا شب عید رمضان خواهد شد Translation: Come…
James Taylor and Sufism
James Taylor’s/Carole King’s “You’ve got a Friend” is one of the most Sufi-sounding songs I’ve ever heard… Lyrics: When you’re down and troubled and you need a helping hand and nothing, whoa, nothing is going right. Close your eyes and think of me and soon I will be there to brighten up even your…
Rumi: By love
Translation: By love, the bitter becomes sweet By love copper coins become gold By love, the dregs become clear By love, the pain becomes healing By love, the dead is made living By love, the king is made a slave And this love is the result of knowledge Who, in foolishness, ever sat on such…
Hafez: We are Red Lions, Black Cobras
A new favorite from Hafez… Translation: Although we are the king’s slaves We are the sovereigns of the kingdom of the dawn With treasure in our sleeves and holes in our pockets We are the surface of the world-seeing cup and the dust of the road Awake with presence, yet drunk with…