Elia Baida

Local Songs from the Old Heritage

• Ya Ghazi Al Arwah (O Conqueror of Souls)
• Ya Mijana
• Lahzek 'Alya (Your Moment Is Upon Me)
• Ya Faten Al Alhaz (O Enchantress of Glances)
• Kam Nob (How Many Times)
• Ya Mijana
• Ya Bahr (O Sea)
• Ya Jabhe Al 'Arab (O Forehead of the Arabs)
• Ya Direh Al 'Arab (O Land of the Arabs)
• Eza Tasdda Al Daher (If Time Opposes)
• Leil Masha'sha' (Radiant Night)

• Leil Masha'sha' (Radiant Night)
• Ya Mawshaha Bl Hala (O Adorned with Jewelry)
• Tayfan 'Ala Khatiri (A Phantom in My Mind)
• Kan Li Ghazal (I Had a Gazelle)
• Bl Ghadr Maddet (Treachery)
• Ya Ajmal Al Naas (O Most Beautiful of People)
• Yalli Brmushek (Your Eyelashes)
• Ya Ma'shar Al Nas (O People)
• Ya Mijana

Location Issued

Artist Origin

More Info

A recording of a collection of songs and mawal by Elia Baida (1915-1977), a Lebanese singer and composer. He is considered one of the most famous singers of the Baghdadi mawal in Lebanon during the Ottoman era. He learned to play the oud under the instruction of Nicolas El Manna, and his first song was La Tanouhi Ya Hamama (Don't Mourn, O Dove), written by poet Halim Damos, which was recorded in the days of the phonograph. In 1935, he was the first to sing a song by poet and composer Yahya Al-Lababidi, which was re-recorded in 1937 by Farid Al Atrache, marking his rise to fame. Ilia Baida passed away in 1977 in exile, leaving behind a significant musical and vocal legacy. His name became closely linked with the renowned Baidafoun record company, founded by singer Farjallah Baida in 1906, alongside Gibran and Butrus Baida - the only one of its kind founded by an Arab at the time, with branches in Damascus, Cairo, and Tehran.