Rafik Shukri

Selections

• Ya Mukhayeb Zununi (Oh, Disappointer of My Hopes)
• A'la Keifak A'ayesh (I'm Living Your Way)
• Dalo'na Ya Dalo'na
• Skaba Ya Dmou' Al E'en (Pour Down, Oh Tears of the Eye)
• Ruhi Ya Ruhi (My Soul, Oh Dweller of My Soul)
• Ghibi Ya Shams Ghibi (Set, Oh Sun, Set)

• Khali Ya Khali (My Uncle, Oh My Uncle
• Bl Fallah Jammal Sari (Beauty Flows in the Wilderness)
• Dakhel Al Samar Ya Buiah (Oh Father, the Beauty of the Tan One)
• Ya Sabah Al Kher (What a Good Morning )
• Ya Hnienah (Oh Kind One, Oh Kind One)
• Heya Nour Al E'en (She is the Light of My Eye)

Location Issued

Artist Origin

More Info

This cassette, compiled by Mohammed Al Masri (Bulbul Al Shark) in Damascus, features a selections of songs by Syrian artist Rafik Shukri (1923–1969). Rafik Shukri was a Syrian singer who achieved wide fame during the 1950s and played a significant role in the country’s musical and broadcasting history during the mid-20th century. Active from the 1940s through the 1960s, Shukri was among the early contributors to Radio Damascus, where he worked until his passing in 1969. Shukri began his career as an oud player before turning to singing, performing songs that explored themes of love, family, and national identity. His body of work includes Qasam al-Awda (The Oath of Return), a song dedicated to the Palestinian people in the aftermath of the 1948 Nakba, as well as Nashid al-Jihad (The Anthem of Struggle), written by poet Suleiman Al Issa. He also sang lyrics by poet Nizar Qabbani and composed for leading artists such as Karawan and Mary Jubran. In addition to his work with Radio Damascus, Shukri recorded and broadcast with several regional stations, including Voice of the Arabs in Cairo, Near East Radio in Haifa, and Baghdad Radio. These recordings offer a glimpse into a period of rich musical activity across the Arab world, with Shukri’s voice standing out as one of its enduring contributions.