Dabke Songs Lyrics Collection
Dabke songs are the heartbeat of every Dabke dance across Lebanon, Syria, Palestine, and Jordan. These traditional songs are not just music, they are a living expression of culture, identity, and community. From Dalouna and Ataba to Sahja and Bedouin chants, each song carries rhythm, poetry, and meaning that guide the dancers’ steps and energy.
In traditional Dabke, the lyrics, the beat, and the movement are deeply connected. Some styles rely on strong vocal traditions, while others follow instrumental phrasing that controls every stomp and shift. Understanding Dabke songs is essential for anyone who wants to truly learn Dabke, not just the steps, but the feeling behind them.
This page by Zorba Academy is a growing archive of traditional Dabke songs, lyrics, meanings, and their connection to different Dabke styles across the Levant.
On this page:
- Types of Dabke Songs
- Dabke Songs with Lyrics
- Dabke Styles by Music
- Cultural Meaning of Dabke Songs
- Learn Dabke Through Music
Types of Dabke Songs
Dalouna Songs
Dalouna is one of the most popular Dabke song styles in Lebanon and the Levant. It is commonly used in weddings and is strongly connected to Shamaliyya Dabke due to its rhythm.
Ataba & Mawwal
Ataba is a poetic vocal style focused on emotion, improvisation, and storytelling. It is widely used in Baalbek and rural regions.
Sahja & Dahha
These styles rely on collective chanting and clapping rather than structured melodies. They are deeply rooted in Bedouin traditions.
Bedouin Dabke Songs
These songs are slower, heavier, and emphasize pride, strength, and tribal identity.
Wedding Dabke Songs
These are energetic and designed for large group participation during Zaffe and celebrations.
Dabke Songs Lyrics Collection
Lyrics (Arabic + English Translation)
1. Dal3ona – الدلعونا
Origin: Lebanon / Syria
Dabke Style: Shamaliyya
على دلعونا وعلى دلعونا
راحوا الحبايب ما ودعونا
…
On Dalouna, on Dalouna
My loved ones left without goodbye
…
Click to View Full Lyrics
على دلعونا و على دلعونا
رزق الله لما كنتوا تحبونا
بالصيف الماضي تبقى القناطر
مشغولي فيكي و مشغول الخاطر
و يا ناطر قلي شو بعدك ناطر
فلوا الحلوين و ما ودعونا
رزق الله لما كنتي تلاقيني
و تفيي علينا هاك الياسميني
كنت تقوليلي دخلك خبيني
فزعانة صحابي يقولوا شافونا
عالهوارة الهوارة جينا لعندك زيارة
ما لقينا حدا بالبيت وين كنتي يا نوارة
هوارة يا زهر الدار كان في عندي عقل و طار
حاجي تقوليلي لا تغار هودي صبيان الحارة
هوارة بدرب مهاوير مشي ما بقى بكير
حبك بعينيي يطير و ما تلحقنا الطيارة
على دلعونا على دلعونا راحوا الحبايب ما ودعونا
حبك يا قلبي من السفر لافي
حد عالدرب وقل له عوافي
نوقف نتحاكى تحت الصفصافة
ونسّم يا هوا ع اللي يحبونا
يا طير الطاير قل له مشتاقة
وبدي من زهوري ودي له باقة
يا طير وقل له بكرا منتلاقى
ومش رح ننساكم يا اللي نسيتونا
على دلعونا على دلعونا راحوا الحبايب ما ودعونا
On Dal3ona, on Dal3ona
God bless the days when you used to love us
Last summer, under the arches
My thoughts were busy with you, my mind always distracted
And you, still waiting, what are you waiting for?
The beautiful ones left without saying goodbye
God bless the days when you used to meet me
And pass by us like jasmine in the air
You used to tell me, please hide me
Afraid that my friends might see us
On Hawara, we came to visit you
But no one was home, where were you, beautiful one?
Oh flower of the house, I once had reason but lost it
Don’t tell me not to be jealous, those are just the neighborhood boys
On the road of riders, we kept walking late
Your love flies through my eyes, even planes can’t catch it
On Dal3ona, on Dal3ona
The loved ones left without saying goodbye
Your love, my heart, travels far
If someone passes by, send them my greetings
Let’s stand and talk under the willow tree
And let the breeze carry love to those who love us
Oh flying bird, tell them I miss them
And I want to send them a bouquet of my flowers
Tell them we will meet again tomorrow
We will never forget you, even if you forgot us
On Dal3ona, on Dal3ona
The loved ones left without saying goodbye
Meaning
Dal3ona lyrics often revolve around:
- Love and longing
- Separation and distance
- Daily village life
- Humor and social interaction
The repetition of “على دلعونا” creates a rhythmic base that allows the leader and singers to guide the Dabke line and control the energy of the dance.
Dal3ona is not a single fixed song. It is a traditional Dabke singing style based on a repeating melodic structure, which allows singers to improvise and add new verses.
Different regions such as Lebanon, Syria, and Palestine have their own versions of Dal3ona, with variations in lyrics, themes, and expressions. Even within the same village, the lyrics can change depending on the occasion, the singer, and the mood of the Dabke line.
Because of this, there is no “official” version of Dal3ona. Instead, it is considered a living form of oral tradition where verses are continuously created, modified, and passed down through generations.
When It’s Performed
- Weddings
- Dabke performances
- Cultural festivals
Dance Connection
Dal3ona is most commonly associated with Shamaliyya Dabke, due to its fast tempo and structured rhythm.
It allows the leader (lawwah) to:
- Engage the dancers and audience
- Control transitions between steps
- Increase or decrease energy
2. Ataba – العتابا
Origin: Lebanon / Syria (especially Baalbek & rural regions)
Dabke Style: Used before or during Dabke, especially Bedewe & Arja
كل من خلق بالدنيا عِلق مات
غريب من الدهر شارب عَلقمات
veryone born into this world is tied to an end, to death
A stranger in time, drinking bitterness after bitterness
Click to View Full Lyrics
كل من خلق بالدنيا عِلق مات
غريب من الدهر شارب عَلقمات
قليل الحظ لو يحصل علقمات
خطفها من سقف حلقو الغراب
صرخ فيي الدهر: ول عيش راعي
الرعيّة وأمرها، والعَيش راعي
عدوّي ما رفع، والعي شِراعي
مع رياح النجاة من العباب
Everyone born into this world is tied to an end, to death
A stranger in time, drinking bitterness after bitterness
The unlucky one, even when he finds sweetness, loses it
Like a crow snatching it straight from his throat
Time cried out to me: “Live, and take responsibility”
Care for your people, because life itself demands a shepherd
My enemy never rose, and my awareness became my sail
Carried by winds of survival through the crashing waves
Meaning
This Ataba is performed by the poet and artist Ali Hleihel, one of the most respected voices of Baalbek’s musical heritage.
His style reflects the deep connection between Ataba singing and Dabke, where poetry, voice, and rhythm come together to create a powerful emotional atmosphere before the dance begins. This Ataba reflects themes of:
- The inevitability of life and death
- Hardship and bitterness in human experience
- Loss, even when something good is found
- Strength, responsibility, and survival
The imagery is deeply symbolic, using metaphors like:
The sea and wind as symbols of struggle and endurance
Bitterness (علقم) to represent suffering
The crow as a symbol of sudden loss
When It’s Performed
- Weddings
- Dabke performances
- Cultural festivals
Dance Connection
This type of Ataba is typically performed:
- Before the Dabke begins
- During slower, heavy styles like Bedewe and Arja
- To build emotional intensity before rhythm starts
In Baalbek traditions, Ataba by singers like Ali Hleihel creates a dialogue between voice and movement, preparing the dancers mentally before the physical energy of Dabke begins.
Dabke Styles by Songs
Different Dabke styles are directly connected to specific types of music:
- Shamaliyya → Dalouna, Nashle
- Bedewe → Bedouin rhythmic songs
- Arja → Instrumental music only
- Zaino → Vocal phrasing songs
- Sahja → Chant-based songs
- Jofiyeh → Call-and-response poetry
Understanding this connection helps dancers stay synchronized and improve leadership.
The Meaning Behind Dabke Songs
Dabke songs reflect:
- Pride and identity
- Love and relationships
- Connection to land
- War and resistance
- Community and unity
In many regions, Dabke songs were used to tell stories, celebrate victories, and preserve oral traditions.
How Music Controls the Dabke
In Dabke, music is not separate from movement:
- The stomp follows the drum
- The step follows the melody
- The leader reacts to the singer
Some styles like Zaino depend on vocal phrasing, while others like Arja depend on instrumental timing.
Learn Dabke Through Music
At Zorba Academy, we teach Dabke by first focusing on counting, then connecting movement to real Dabke songs.
Understanding Dabke music helps dancers:
- Stay on rhythm
- Lead Dabke lines
- Feel the music naturally
If you want to learn Dabke in Beirut or online, this is where your journey starts.
Learn Dabke 