كان عندنا طاحون (سهر الليالي) - Kan 3endna Ta7oon, aka Sahar El Layaly (We Had a Mill, aka Staying Up All Night)

Let's go with a more famous Fairouz song this time. This one has lyrics by the Brothers Rahbani and composed by Elias Rahbani, so it has more of a modern feel to it.

شو كانت حلوه الليالي ... والهوى يبقى ناطرنا
وتيجي تلاقيني .. وياخدنا بعيد .. هدير المي والليل
كان عنا طاحون عَ نبع المي قدامه ساحات مزروعه في
وجدّي كان يطحن للحي قمح وسهريات
ويبقوا الناس بهالساحات شي معهن كياس شي عربيات
رايحين جايين وعطول الطريق تهدر غنيات
آه يا سهر الليالي ...آه يا حلو على بالي
غني آه ... غني على الطرقات
وراحت الأيام وشوي شوي
سكت الطاحون عَ كتف المي
وجدّي صار طاحون ذكريات
يطحن شمس وفي
آه يا سهر الليالي ...آه يا حلو على بالي
غني آه ... غني على الطرقات

How beautiful were these nights ... and love was waiting for us

And you come to find me ... and we drift far away ... with the water noises in the night

We had a mill by the water front, and before it were the stretched wheat fields

And my grandfather used to grind it for the neighborhood, and give them long merry nights

And the people used to crowd this open spaces with their bags and cars

Coming and going along the way, and songs never leave them

Oh, staying up all night ... Oh, beautiful and always on my mind

Sing it ... Sing it along the roads

And days went by, and one by one

The mill went silent by the water front

And my grandfather only grinds memories

Grinding the sun and wheat ...

Oh, staying up all night ... Oh, beautiful and always on my mind
Sing it ... Sing it along the roads

The song http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jZu4eJ67WqU

This song is one of nostalgia for those good old childhood memories. It's about the grandfather who used to own a mill by the water front. He gave the people flour, and they had some cool summer night parties that the whole town attended. She's remembering those nights, full of songs, and celebrations out in nature. For some reason, be it technology or people just growing apart, these parties are no more, and now the mill only produces flour and serves as a memory of the past.
So, why do I like this song? First, listen to it. Isn't it such a great uplifting song? Second, all of us long for those childhood memories. They might not necessarily involve big neighborhood parties, but they definitely involve a lot of good times of family and friends just hanging out and having fun. Also, I like how the memories are tied to her memories of her grandfather. I lost my grandfather when I was seven, and we were very close. I didn't know quite as well as I wanted to, but we had our bond. Whenever I hear this song, I also remember our memories together. He used to take me to the park, and tell me stories. My family members tell me that we used to have very long intense and serious conversations. I don't remember what they were about, but I know that when he passed away, I felt like I lost a dear friend. On some unconscious level, my child self new that this man was important, and he left his imprint in my memories and heart. So, this song goes out for all of the good summer nights I spent with my grandfather!!