Marcel Khalife is a Lebanese singer/songwriter who has been called the “Bob Dylan of the Middle East”; his songs never fail to move me to tears and this one called ” My mother” (Ummi) is no exception; the lyrics were written by the late Palestinian poet Mahmoud Darwish.
Note: The pudding recipe is available if requested!
My MotherMahmoud Darwish – PalestineI long for my mother’s bread
My mother’s coffee
Her touch
Childhood memories grow up in me
Day after day
I must be worth my life
At the hour of my death
Worth the tears of my mother.And if I come back one day
Take me as a veil to your eyelashes
Cover my bones with the grass
Blessed by your footsteps
Bind us together
With a lock of your hair
With a thread that trails from the back of your dress
I might become immortal
Become a God
If I touch the depths of your heart.
If I come back
Use me as wood to feed your fire
As the clothesline on the roof of your house
Without your blessing
I am too weak to stand.
I am old
Give me back the star maps of childhood
So that I
Along with the swallows
Can chart the path
Back to your waiting nest.
A mango panna cotta is it? This looks dreamy and mango is probably now my favourite fruit. I’m a big fan of “world music” and I’ll go check some of his other music. You can tell he’s into it.
Joumana, Happy Mother’s Day and I hope someone else is cooking for you today.
Joumana, you already have a beautiful blog, but it is getting better and better and better, i love this post, the combination of flavours are gorgeous. Joumana, is this the song, Ummi? I love it, and i love him, too. Happy Mother’s Day! love, s
Hey Joumana, Happy Mother’s Day.
I like the part of that poem that says’ without your blessing, I am too weak to stand’. I feel that way about my Mom.
This pudding looks wonderful by the way…
Joumana, mon amie, tu me rappelles une époque où l’on écoutait beaucoup Marcel Khalifa, Cheikh Imam, Mahmoud Derwich et d’autres.
Une époque où l’ on n’avait pas encore 20 ans et où l’on croyait tenir le monde dans le creux de la main et le changer en un monde meilleur.
Merci pour tous ces souvenirs.
Bonne fête à toi et à toutes les mamans du monde.
What a treat to wake up to this lovely dessert! A colorful delicious pudding, with pistachios and mangos (both favorites) even better. Have a wonderful day!
Joumana,
What a moving poem and exquisite tribute to your mother, and motherhood. I love the music.
Happy Mother’s Day, to you. Big tight squeeze!
🙂
Valerie
As I listened to this sentimental loving song, tears flooded my eyes. It seems every culture has a lullaby or a poem about a mother. Happy and a healthy mothers day to you all.
Joumana this recipe is drop dead gorgeous. it is the perfect dessert for spring, summer and fall. You will definitely hear the oohs and ahhs, all the way to Texas. A+++, I would love to add the pudding recipe to my cooking library.
I cannot believe I just stumbled into your blog! I’m half Lebanese (my better half) and live in Dallas. I absolutely love to cook and am just now exploring many of my teta’s recipes. She is so proud! Do you have a restaurant here? I can’t tell you how excited I am to have found your blog. Thanks!
My GOD! I could feel the intensity of the bread on that first line of lyrics.
I would love that pudding recipe. (Do you use agar or gelatin?) Not only mango is one of my favourite fruits on the planet… You garnish it with fresh berries! And that’s more heavenly!
Hello Joumana…my first time visiting your site.
What a lovely array of recipes. I did have (for now) a very quick look ;o)
I’ve always enjoyed arabic cooking and sweet delights…especially the pastries ;o)
BTW…Beautiful words to a Mom! Very touching indeed.
Thanks for having stopped by my place…hope you do get a chance to make that luscious butterscotch topping ;o)
I’ll certainly be back soon…thank you for sharing…and flavourful wishes, Claudia
Thanks so much for stopping by my blog. Always appreciate new visitors and the comments. You’ve got a beautiful site here, I’m subscribing and look forward to your posts.
I just listened to Ummi on You Tube. So sad- it is utterly disgusting how lives are ruined because of greed. power and control. I pray for peace a lot. I imagine a world filled with peace often so that people can live in joy rather than sorrow. Someone said in the comments on You Tube, “I hope Americans can see out of their paradise to what is going on here.” Many of us see it but how can we stop it. I pray for the Middle East- all those good people who suffer at the hands of people who harm. I will continue to pray.
I love this Mother poem above. I love the dessert as well. And as always I love stopping by your blog. I can see that you are a good person.
I love the presentation. Looks so lovely! I love your about column too, the way you mention your Teta! So sweet. Thanks for visiting my space, you have a wonderful collection of recipes and photos as well. Do join my green gourmet on going foodie event!
Awww man … you’ve got me all emotional now! Wish my mommy was here, so I could hug her … but shez in Canada – I’ll have to give her a virtual hug over the phone 🙂
A beautiful song and lovely post in honor of Mother’s Day, Joumana! I’ve never heard of Marcel Khalife and so enjoyed the video. What a lovely instrument the oud is!
This looks so delicious! That song is so beautiful. It definitely brings to mind all the feelings I have towards my mom – thanks for sharing such a lovely song!
Joumana, The video is lovely, the music and lyrics are moving. I’m going to my local Middle Eastern store for his CD.
What a lovely post for Mother’s day. The pudding looks wonderful. Mango and Pistachios are a perfect combination.
Wow the pudding looks beautiful!! The video and the music and lyrics and wonderful. This organ is called “laouto” and is used in our traditional folk music, so the sound is very familiar to Greeks.
Heavenly Housewife says:
Beautiful song and gorgeous pudding. Mango and pistachio are a wonderful combination. Have a very happy mother’s day weekend.
*kisses* HH
On May 9, 2010 at 3:36 am
Rosa says:
A splendid dessert! Your pudding is a real beauty!
Cheers,
Rosa
On May 9, 2010 at 3:38 am
Foodycat says:
Delicious-looking pudding!
The lyrics of that song are lovely, so moving.
On May 9, 2010 at 4:25 am
deana says:
So very beautiful… I have never heard of him before but love the oud… very magical instrument. It is wonderful gift for mother’s day!
On May 9, 2010 at 5:21 am
Priya says:
Happy Mother’s Day, wat an elegant and pretty pudding..
On May 9, 2010 at 6:14 am
rauschy says:
very nice !
On May 9, 2010 at 6:33 am
peter says:
A mango panna cotta is it? This looks dreamy and mango is probably now my favourite fruit. I’m a big fan of “world music” and I’ll go check some of his other music. You can tell he’s into it.
Joumana, Happy Mother’s Day and I hope someone else is cooking for you today.
On May 9, 2010 at 6:43 am
shayma says:
Joumana, you already have a beautiful blog, but it is getting better and better and better, i love this post, the combination of flavours are gorgeous. Joumana, is this the song, Ummi? I love it, and i love him, too. Happy Mother’s Day! love, s
On May 9, 2010 at 7:06 am
Angie's Recipes says:
Wow…..this mango pudding! I am seriously in awe of your creativitiy~! Simply gorgeous!
On May 9, 2010 at 7:30 am
Evel@CheapEthnicEatz says:
Beautiful and touching…Happy Mother’s Day everyone!
Please tell me you are just postponing the recipe…you are killing me! lol
On May 9, 2010 at 8:00 am
Magdalena says:
olala………… ! looks fantastic! in Poland, the mother’s day is on 26 of May – still have a bit of time to think what to do…
On May 9, 2010 at 8:39 am
grace says:
what a pretty song and equally lovely dessert to commemorate mothers. 🙂
On May 9, 2010 at 9:12 am
Stella says:
Hey Joumana, Happy Mother’s Day.
I like the part of that poem that says’ without your blessing, I am too weak to stand’. I feel that way about my Mom.
This pudding looks wonderful by the way…
On May 9, 2010 at 9:53 am
Nadji says:
Joumana, mon amie, tu me rappelles une époque où l’on écoutait beaucoup Marcel Khalifa, Cheikh Imam, Mahmoud Derwich et d’autres.
Une époque où l’ on n’avait pas encore 20 ans et où l’on croyait tenir le monde dans le creux de la main et le changer en un monde meilleur.
Merci pour tous ces souvenirs.
Bonne fête à toi et à toutes les mamans du monde.
On May 9, 2010 at 11:03 am
fimère says:
les parles sont très émouvantes, une magnifique chanson
sans parler aussi de ton pudding, il est splendide
bonne journée
On May 9, 2010 at 11:23 am
lisa says:
What a treat to wake up to this lovely dessert! A colorful delicious pudding, with pistachios and mangos (both favorites) even better. Have a wonderful day!
On May 9, 2010 at 11:55 am
A Canadian Foodie says:
Joumana,
What a moving poem and exquisite tribute to your mother, and motherhood. I love the music.
Happy Mother’s Day, to you. Big tight squeeze!
🙂
Valerie
On May 9, 2010 at 3:08 pm
5 Star Foodie says:
A beautiful song and a gorgeous dessert! Happy Mother’s day!
On May 9, 2010 at 7:00 pm
Conor @ HoldtheBeef says:
Nice song for Mothers’ Day, not sure if would have much impact on my non-Arabic speaking Mother though 😉
Such a pretty pudding! I’m having major cravings for mango mochi after eating some yesterday and looking at this is not helping me!
On May 9, 2010 at 7:51 pm
dana says:
Happy Mother’s Day, Joumana.
On May 9, 2010 at 8:17 pm
rebecca says:
beautiful post happy mothers day love Rebecca
On May 9, 2010 at 10:00 pm
SYLVIA says:
As I listened to this sentimental loving song, tears flooded my eyes. It seems every culture has a lullaby or a poem about a mother. Happy and a healthy mothers day to you all.
Joumana this recipe is drop dead gorgeous. it is the perfect dessert for spring, summer and fall. You will definitely hear the oohs and ahhs, all the way to Texas. A+++, I would love to add the pudding recipe to my cooking library.
On May 9, 2010 at 10:08 pm
Sushma Mallya says:
Never seen such a beautiful dessert anywhere else….looks so gorgeous…
On May 9, 2010 at 10:29 pm
tigerfish says:
Looks so beautiful 🙂 Wow!
On May 9, 2010 at 11:08 pm
Nicole says:
I cannot believe I just stumbled into your blog! I’m half Lebanese (my better half) and live in Dallas. I absolutely love to cook and am just now exploring many of my teta’s recipes. She is so proud! Do you have a restaurant here? I can’t tell you how excited I am to have found your blog. Thanks!
On May 9, 2010 at 11:54 pm
Pierre says:
My GOD! I could feel the intensity of the bread on that first line of lyrics.
I would love that pudding recipe. (Do you use agar or gelatin?) Not only mango is one of my favourite fruits on the planet… You garnish it with fresh berries! And that’s more heavenly!
On May 10, 2010 at 12:09 am
FOODESSA says:
Hello Joumana…my first time visiting your site.
What a lovely array of recipes. I did have (for now) a very quick look ;o)
I’ve always enjoyed arabic cooking and sweet delights…especially the pastries ;o)
BTW…Beautiful words to a Mom! Very touching indeed.
Thanks for having stopped by my place…hope you do get a chance to make that luscious butterscotch topping ;o)
I’ll certainly be back soon…thank you for sharing…and flavourful wishes, Claudia
On May 10, 2010 at 4:06 am
Joanne says:
That looks so very delicious! I love the presentation.
On May 10, 2010 at 5:23 am
Lea Ann says:
Thanks so much for stopping by my blog. Always appreciate new visitors and the comments. You’ve got a beautiful site here, I’m subscribing and look forward to your posts.
On May 10, 2010 at 6:42 am
Lori says:
I just listened to Ummi on You Tube. So sad- it is utterly disgusting how lives are ruined because of greed. power and control. I pray for peace a lot. I imagine a world filled with peace often so that people can live in joy rather than sorrow. Someone said in the comments on You Tube, “I hope Americans can see out of their paradise to what is going on here.” Many of us see it but how can we stop it. I pray for the Middle East- all those good people who suffer at the hands of people who harm. I will continue to pray.
I love this Mother poem above. I love the dessert as well. And as always I love stopping by your blog. I can see that you are a good person.
On May 10, 2010 at 6:47 am
Preeti says:
I love the presentation. Looks so lovely! I love your about column too, the way you mention your Teta! So sweet. Thanks for visiting my space, you have a wonderful collection of recipes and photos as well. Do join my green gourmet on going foodie event!
On May 10, 2010 at 6:51 am
Katerina says:
The sweet looks great. The song is very emotional just like Lebanese people are.
On May 10, 2010 at 6:53 am
Suman says:
pudding looks so perfect n elegant…nice pics too!!!
On May 10, 2010 at 7:17 am
Muneeba says:
Awww man … you’ve got me all emotional now! Wish my mommy was here, so I could hug her … but shez in Canada – I’ll have to give her a virtual hug over the phone 🙂
On May 10, 2010 at 7:46 am
Rachana Kothari says:
What a beautiful pudding, really beautiful.
Happy mother’s day!
On May 10, 2010 at 8:18 am
Barbara says:
A beautiful song and lovely post in honor of Mother’s Day, Joumana! I’ve never heard of Marcel Khalife and so enjoyed the video. What a lovely instrument the oud is!
And a lovely pudding as well!
On May 10, 2010 at 8:44 am
Lazaro says:
Love your mango pudding and the presentation is magnificent. Beautiful song. Wonderful post all the way around.
Cheers!
On May 10, 2010 at 9:42 am
food-4tots says:
Looks so divine! Must taste heaven too! Love your stunning shots especially the 2nd photo. 😉
On May 10, 2010 at 9:52 am
Krista says:
I’m requesting!!! I’d really love this recipe. 🙂 I have some marvy old copper jelly molds and this would work beautifully with them. 🙂
On May 10, 2010 at 10:11 am
Arlette says:
Waqaf Shaar Badani…
its been a long time since I heard this song or Marcel singing…
Thank you so much for the song…
I love your pudding, so elegant , did you build it as two individuals???
allef saha
On May 10, 2010 at 11:15 am
Cynthia says:
This looks so delicious! That song is so beautiful. It definitely brings to mind all the feelings I have towards my mom – thanks for sharing such a lovely song!
On May 10, 2010 at 1:09 pm
Juliana says:
Joumana, nice pudding, very nice presented…I am sure that must taste as good as it looks 🙂
On May 10, 2010 at 2:48 pm
Nadia says:
What a moving song, it almost brought me to tears as well.
The pudding is lovely, it looks smooth and creamy. The vermicelli? must add great crunch and texture.
On May 10, 2010 at 2:53 pm
lisaiscooking says:
Beautiful layered pudding! The colors are lovely.
On May 10, 2010 at 3:12 pm
Namitha says:
Lovely combo…I have posted once this too..but in pannacotta 🙂
On May 10, 2010 at 3:40 pm
nisha says:
wow that just looks marvelous…im so loving the mango season
On May 10, 2010 at 4:00 pm
The Gypsy Chef says:
Joumana, The video is lovely, the music and lyrics are moving. I’m going to my local Middle Eastern store for his CD.
What a lovely post for Mother’s day. The pudding looks wonderful. Mango and Pistachios are a perfect combination.
On May 10, 2010 at 4:45 pm
SathyaSrihdar says:
Pudding looks soo gorgeous like you dear,,garnish looks perfect…I want the recipe for the pudding dear..
On May 11, 2010 at 2:55 am
Ivy says:
Wow the pudding looks beautiful!! The video and the music and lyrics and wonderful. This organ is called “laouto” and is used in our traditional folk music, so the sound is very familiar to Greeks.
On May 11, 2010 at 4:25 am
Sophie says:
What a fantastic, amazing & marvellous presented pudding!!
Waw!!! Truly wonderful!! Another must make recipe of yours!!
On May 11, 2010 at 5:08 am
Maninas says:
Beautiful poem
On May 11, 2010 at 5:42 am
taina says:
no, Bob Dylan cannot be compared to Khalife. This does an injustice to Khalife.
On May 11, 2010 at 7:04 pm
Sridevi says:
Wow!! Pudding looks wonderful..
On May 12, 2010 at 11:48 am
cmiranda says:
Intresting combination of flavors.It must taste divine.
On May 29, 2010 at 11:43 am
Jureskvarc says:
Yeah, it’s good, very useful, thanks 🙂
On June 2, 2010 at 10:11 pm
Mahzabin says:
Beautiful poem!!!
If it is ok then can i have the pudding recipe please? That looks so beautiful…
On September 21, 2010 at 8:53 pm
mohammed says:
Wow!! nice poem, the pudding looks delicious can I have the receipe please.
Thanks.
On October 8, 2010 at 10:59 am
ahmad says:
please can we have the recipe for the mango and milk
thank you so much
On February 7, 2011 at 6:35 pm
domi says:
Bonjour Joumana, il est très joli ce dessert avec un beau visuel très coloré, et très gourmand, bisous et passe un bon week end
On March 11, 2011 at 12:13 am