“Haddii Hoobalkii Gabay” (“If the Artist Fails / If the artist lets you down”), performed by Hiba Nura (Xeebeed) and written by famous Somali poets/playwrights.
Classical Somali poetry relies heavily on alliteration (in this case, using the letter H throughout), the phrasing uses rich metaphors about guidance, societal duty, and cultural preservation.
Mar horumar keeda iyo / Ruuxii heddaaniyo / Shacabka uu hanuunsho
Sometimes for the progress of the land, and for the person who is struggling/straying, the artist guides the public.
Suugaantu waa hodan
Literature (poetry/art) is rich and abundant.
Mar horumar keeda iyo / Ruuxii habaaba iyo / Shicib lagu hogaansho
Sometimes for progress, and for the person who has gone astray, it is used to lead the nation on the right path.
Hagaag wax loogu sheekadu / Halis lagaga daw dhahee
Truth is spoken through it to steer people away from danger.
Hadii hobolkii gabay / Hadii hobolkii gabay
If the artist/singer fails in their duty… If the artist fails…
Habdheceeda maansada / Hindisihiisa maansada
The rhythm of the poem, the very design and craft of the verse—
Hagaajoo yaa lagu haleeyaa / Hagaaji oo yaa lagu haleeyaa
Who else can be relied upon to fix things and set them right?
Hawraada gabay iyo / Hal abuurka jiiftada
The wisdom of the poem and the creativity of the jiifto verse—
Markii laga haleelay ee / Dhaqankiina halis galay
When people neglected them and your culture fell into danger,
Ubadkii hilmaameen / Afkii hooyo ee jiray
And the children forgot the mother tongue that once flourished…
Hadii hobolkii gabay / Hadii hobolkii gabay
If the artist fails in their duty… If the artist fails…
Habdheceeda maansada / Hindisihii qafoolado
The rhythm of the poem, its crafting bound and constrained—
Umadda hagaajoo / Hagaajoo / Yaa lagu haleeyaa
To repair the nation, who else can be trusted to fix it?
Maansadu weeyaan / Hida lagu arooro iyo / Hanaanka nolosha
Poetry is the heritage to which we return, and the true pattern of life.
Goortaa hirgelisaa (filling in the ???)
That is when you make it thrive and succeed.
Maansadu weeyaan / Hida lagu arooro iyo / Habqaadka nolosha
Poetry is the heritage to which we return, and the pace and rhythm of life.
Liibaan joogta weeye oo / Lagu hanweyn yahay
It is an enduring victory and a source of great pride.
Hadii hobolkii gabay / Hadii hobolkii gabay
If the artist fails in their duty… If the artist fails…
Poems are
The way to wake up and
The way to live
Success is always and
It is proud
If the choir sang
If the choir sang
…
TBA
TBA