It’s the Canadian Thanksgiving weekend. So many things to be grateful for. At the top of my list this year, is my little girl. I had dinner with the in-laws out in Milton today, and as I got ready, I played this song on iTunes.

It’s called Aïcha (love the spelling). Originally performed by Algerian artist Cheb Kaled (and, apparently, one of his most popular songs), I prefer the salsa-infused version by Africando. I loved this song from the moment I heard it some years ago; never would it have occurred to me that I would one day come to give my daughter the same name. When her father and I were tossing about names, this song didn’t even cross my mind. A happy coincidence.

I found an interesting backstory about the tune on wikipedia. For those who are interested, here are the lyrics (en Français – English translation to follow). It’s quite a beautiful and powerful story, actually. I’m happy to share it with you.

Happy turkey day, everyone!

Aïcha – Original French lyrics

Comme si je n’existais pas,

Elle est passee a cote de moi,
Sans un regard, reine de Saba.
J’ai dit Aicha, prends, tout est pour toi.

Voici des perles, des bijoux,
Aussi l’or autour de ton cou,
Les fruits bien murs au gout de miel,
Ma vie, Aicha, si tu m’aimes.

J’irai a ton souffle nous mene
Dans les pays d’ivoire et d’ebene.
J’effacerai tes larmes, tes peines.
Rien n’est trop beau pour une si belle.

Ooh! Aicha, Aicha, ecoute-moi.
Aicha, Aicha, t’en vas pas.
Aicha, Aicha, regarde-moi.
Aicha, Aicha, reponds-moi.

Je dirai les mots des poemes.
Je jouerai les musiques do ciel.
Je prendrai les rayons do soleil
Pour eclairer tes yeux de reine.

Ooh! Aicha, Aicha, ecoute-moi.
Aicha, Aicha, t’en vas pas.

Elle a dit, “Garde tes tresors.
Moi, je veux mieux que tout ca,
Des barreaux sont des barreaux, meme en or.
Je veux les memes droits que toi
Et do respect pour chaque jour.
Moi, je ne veux que de l’amour.”
Aah!

Comme si je n’existais pas,
Elle est passee a cote de moi,
Sans un regard, reine de Saba.
J’ai dit, “Aicha, prends, tout est pour toi.”

Aicha, Aicha, ecoute-moi.
Aicha, Aicha, ecoute-moi.
Aicha, Aicha, t’en vas pas.
Aicha, Aicha, regarde-moi.
Aicha, Aicha, reponds-moi.

Aïcha – English translation

As if I don’t exist
She was passing by me
With no regard, the Queen of Sheeba
I said, Aisha, take this, all of it is for you

Here, the pearls, the jewels,
also the gold around your neck
The fruits, well ripe with the taste of honey
And my life, Aisha if you love me!

I will go where your breath leads me,
In the countries of ivory and ebony
I will erase your tears, your sorrows
Nothing is too beautifull for a girl so beautiful

Aisha, Aisha listen to me
Aisha, Aisha don’t go
Aisha, Aisha look at me
Aisha, Aisha answer me

I would say the words, the poems
I would play the music of the sky
I would take the rays of the sun
to light up your dreamy eyes

Ooh! Aisha, Aisha listen to me
Aisha, Aisha don’t go

She said: “Keep your treasures,
Me, I’m worth more than that.
Bars are still bars even if made of gold.
I want the same rights as you
and respect for each day,
Me I want only love.”

(In Arabic)
I want you Aisha and I love you to death
You are master of my life and my love
You are my years and my life
I hope to live with you, only you