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Emel Mathlouthi - Kelmti Horra (My Word is Free) (Tunisia)

from 33RPM - Voices of the Revolution by 33RPM - Voices of the Revolution

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about

Born in Tunis, Emel is a songwriter, composer, guitarist, and singer who is bringing an amazing brand new sound to Tunisian music. Endowed with an outstanding voice, she evokes Joan Baez, Sister Marie Keyrouz and the Lebanese diva Fairouz, her captivating style is lyrical, with powerful rock, oriental and trip hop influences.

Emel began her artistic career at the age of 8 on stage at the small amphitheatre in her housing estate in the Ibn Sina suburb of Tunison the outskirts of Tunis, where she lived until the age of 25. It began where Emel dreamt of art but studied architecture, maths and engineering. Rock music tempted her more, but there was no question of singing in Arabic. With her band from university, she veered into goth. She likes Pink Floyd, is fascinated by Dylan and become infatuated with Joan Baez. While at home, she was brought up on classical, jazz and Chiekh Iman, the Egyptian protest singer troubadour. She moved to France to pursue her career as a singer. The song on this album, “Kelmti Horra” (my word is free), was taken up by the Arab Spring revolutionaries and sung on the streets of Tunis.

lyrics

Translation:

I am those who are free and never fear
I am the secrets that will never die
I am the voice of those who would not give in
I am the meaning amid the chaos

I am the right of the oppressed
That is sold by these dogs (people who are dogs)
Who rob the people of their daily bread
And slam the door in the face of ideas

I am those who are free and never fear
I am the secrets that will never die
I am the voice those who would not give in
I am free and my word is free
I am free and my word is free
Don't forget the price of bread
And don't forget the cause of our misery
And don't forget who betrayed us in our time of need

I am those who are free and never fear
I am the secrets that will never die
I am the voice those who would not give in
I am the secret of the red rose
Whose color the years loved
Whose scent the rivers buried
And who sprouted as fire
Calling those who are free

I am a star shining in the darkness
I am a thorn in the throat of the oppressor
I am a wind touched by fire
I am the soul of those who are not forgotten
I am the voice of those who have not died

Let's make clay out of steel
And build with it a new love
That becomes birds
That becomes a country/home
That becomes wind and rain

I am all the free people of the world put together
I am like a bullet
I am all the free people of the world put together
I am like a bullet

credits

from 33RPM - Voices of the Revolution, released October 14, 2013

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about

33RPM - Voices of the Revolution UK

An album of powerful revolutionary and political music produced by artists from across the globe, to be digitally released via Bandcamp on Monday 14 October 2013.

A collaborative project between four independent international grassroots music organizations; Un-Convention (UK), Nomadic Wax (USA), Fora Do Eixo (Brasil) and Tiuna El Fuerte (Venezuela).

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