the water sellers

Written by: Badi‘e Khairy

Composed by: Sayyed Darwish

May God ease, may God appease!

Wretched are these water sellers,

enraged by the new company.

The foreigners replaced us dwellers

and now look at our misery.

It’s our fore fathers’ occupation;

How about some accommodation?

We stayed quiet as they did the deed.

Are they planning to pay us heed?

Why should they eat fancy food on a tray

and from the company receive the high pay

While we landsmen just eat leftovers?

Pickles for dinner! May God appease!

May God appease, May God ease!

They drink our water on credit,

while with chalk we add then edit;

So long as the wheel keeps moving.

May God ease, may God appease!

Wretched are these water sellers,

enraged by the new company.

The foreigners replaced us dwellers

and now look at our misery.

What a pest of a company!

Their water is blue and green,

but never mind

‘cause they call it clean.

If only you knew:

They add carbonate, wine, phosphate,

sulpher and devil-infused powder.

Try again!

Yo girl standing there a while,

call me and I’ll come to you.

My water is from the Nile,

drink and pray for me.

May God appease!

Go and with your husband quarrel,

let him go and buy you a barrel,

smash your tap to little pieces.

Wretched are these water sellers,

enraged by the new company.

The foreigners replaced us dwellers

and now look at our misery.

It’s our fore fathers’ occupation;

How about some accommodation?