DAM, "Born Here", Hebrew/Arabic with English subtitles

Palestinian rap group DAM (Da Arab MC's, or "forever" in Arabic) created this music video about the life of Palestinians in Israel. They're from Lod, a town between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, so they're Palestinians with Israeli citizenship (often called "Israeli Arabs"). They usually rap in Arabic, but they made a Hebrew version of this song with a music video to get their message out to the majority of Israelis who don't speak Arabic.
You find out more about them at www.dampalestin... .
I've always wanted a subtitled version, so I broke down and adapted the lyrics from their website, to create this. I think this is one of the most powerful rap songs out there.
See moomtastic.com/... to see my extended comments on the video and its chorus.
By the way, a lot of people are confused about what DAM stands for, but it really is "forever" or "eternity". See the interview at www.democracyno..., where you'll find this:
TAMER NAFAR: Ill just correct you. Actually, dam is eternity in Arabic and blood in Hebrew. So its eternal blood, like we will stay here forever.

[@TheP0e]

"I broke the law? No the law broke me" best line ever, right there

[@rightofreturn]

She's also known as Sabreena Sa Witch. She's a friend of mine and is now based in the US. She has been performing all over the US.

[@uristra]

this song is in part a response to the patriotic israeli song "kan noladeti" - "i was born here". the israeli song's chorus starts: "here i was born, here my children were born, here i built my house with my two hands." in response, DAM sings "here i was born, here my ancestors were born, you won't separate me from my roots," and "here i built my house and here you destroyed my house."

[@bobmoshe]

It's funny - I'm an American Jew who was in Ramallah 2 years ago and I wasn't harrassed at all. Of course, I didn't come in wearing an IDF uniform, and I tried to treat people with respect, so I was greeted only with hospitality.

[@omerta926]

My family is from al-Lid, and I have never seen it, but wish to very much. I loved the song and DAM is awesome. Keep em coming!

[@almasali1993]

this song explains everything the Palestinans are feeling and going through. Long live Palestine, we are behind you, supporting you, and fighting for you. No matter how much you feel like you are alone, you are NEVER alone. Long live Palestine

[@UrbanFreeStylez]

yo i swear the guy at 1:20 has the craziest flow ever hes my favourite of the group.

[@wotcanada]

really good song. we watch them on the news, hear about them from their politicians, but to see an actual video of the people saying what they need to say and what they're going through, is an such eye opener.

[@DANxCHORIN]

You make excellent points in your posts.

[@greeny1980]

Cool video!! Respect to Palestines from Hungary!

[@Rhapsodeste]

Awesome! I'm writing a paper about the hip hop movement in Palestine and it's heart breaking and heartening..

[@Patparazzi]

This song is a real alternative to using bombs and guns. This is true Hiphop! In this world telling the truth is revolutionnary!

[@lydacane]

hey yo to all palestine--israel--middle east--jordan---eygpta all those all over the world who reads this post first iam from the deep south and have been underground rappin ever since i was 7 years old hip hop & rap are different dam born here iam feeling you guys i liked the dvd to i give u all props keep grinding i want you to no that iam a christian and i still give yall mad props its not what color,or religion,or where u are born its about uniting in peace THROUGH HIPHOP

[@milesbe7785]

Wow. Great video.

[@Team974]

Awesome video! Keep it up DAM. Pa le respect!

[@nathaliliana]

ist so long time ago i see u people with that song in euronews i got message for u people do more i love it

[@gomezesmorticia]

Dam is blood in Arabic too.

[@morleigh13]

Keep it up, guys. Your efforts bring a better future.

[@HusbandnWifeDuo]

dam means blood in both arabic and hebrew. the word has been adopted in urdu and hindi where it means life or breath. came here after reading Mark LeVine's book Heavy Metal islam. he mentions dam and Abeer Zinati with great enthusiasm.

[@CaptainDimassi]

Although I dont understand Hebrew, I loved the video and I love DAM band too much.... Excellent work

[@K00B0]

best song ever I´m from Slovakia and i hope that Palestina will be free nation

[@ANE32]

Cool! I love it,this is going straight to my favourites!Where can you get this groups cds?

[@omerta926]

Brothers, keep representin the struggle, and puttin al-Lid on the map!

[@brklyn82]

I am an American with palestinian heritage am truely pleased by the artistic form used in the video. Finally a way to display the palestinian plight through the common mans tounge and not a politicians.. May the Palestinians and the Non-Zionist Israelis enjoy eachothers company peacefully God willing

[@nooly1]

dude i worship u for that! ur awesome!

[@MaRjsArgenti]

Thx to Vik Arrigoni I knew you and now I thx you fo singing reality ! Always in my heart, stay human !

[@teamdeadly]

Amazing video and rap! Toda rebah!

[@Shelms1]

Verry good,bill19079,I like your style,keep up the good work.

[@olivaeninde]

amazing band.... I think they are from lood, I study planning in Israel and this song is a perfect abstract of what happen It is my teacher who had pass this song as a conclusion of our semester

[@gehad1988]

We had gathered at the center of the village, in the house of Hajj Mahmud al-Yahya. When the village fell and the soldiers entered, they herded us to the beach. On the way, near the house of Badran on the street leading to the mosque, I saw the bodies of seven young people from the village. A woman, 'lzzat Ibrahim al-Hindi

[@StylesP1987]

I don't know one word they say (without the subs) but this sounds good even without understanding.

[@hbarghouthi]

@Revolutionary1794 The "embarrassed" & "Silk" terms refer to poverty in the "neighborhood". A bride without a veil refers to the long time 'she's' been waiting for the change.

[@MikeyMcCrashCap]

Awesome video!

[@vandrew12]

EXCELENTE. muy buena, vamos palestina todavia

[@arad7613]

Again, I strongly recommend 'Dedication'. I defy you to find another band in today's music that deals so courageously with such heavy issues. Personal picks: 'Mali Huriye' (I Don't Have Freedom), Al Huriye Unt'a (Freedom For My Sisters) and 'Da DAM' (It's DAM). But it's all good. Pity there aren't any videos for these songs (all better than this one). It's also a shame they don't sing in Hebrew anymore. After all, their problems are with Israeli society. We are the ones who need to hear it.

[@Behnoud236]

Don't give up. Don't lose hope. You've got peace, love, and support from Iranians. Free Palestine!

[@mites7]

Even though its illegal, they still do. I didnt think they did until i read this article "dunam for dunam" which by the way was written by an israeli

[@hoozulooz]

@JesterPoetryArtVlogs When they speak Arabic, they have both English and Hebrew lyrics. The part without the Hebrew lyrics is Hebrew.

[@delaxcc]

realy good video. and awesome song.

[@BenvelMusic]

Don't miss next time... the best Hummus I know =) people wait hours to get inside! BTW you are a teacher?

[@Hawkface]

I like this Palestinian rap music - the world needs to hear this.

[@thelettertsix]

@Laila5105 the group is called " DAM " the song is called " born here"

[@uristra]

i think you missed a pun when you translated "habayit haze lo kibel ishur mehahoq" as "this house wasn't legally approved." "bayit" means "house" but also "verse". they're saying that the verse wasn't legally approved, but will not be erased.

[@gehad1988]

ur replay just Awesome !! thanx

[@thesistersincomedy]

why fight with each other? can't you be neighbors and love one another? we are all people and we want the same things. We teach our children that "sharing is caring", but we can't seem to manage it ourselves. Hate and retaliation will get us nowhere; we are chasing each other in a circle of vengeance - eventually someone is going to have to stop and say, "Enough. You are my brother and I am ready to love you." Israel should be a place for anyone to come to find acceptance and peace.

[@TheGeraldemerald]

@DrCHPD Politically I'm neutral but as an ex-Christian (now proud hater of ALL religions) who studied Hebrew I know that DAM raps in Hebrew with lots of the underground leftie rappers in Tel Aviv - his battles with Sagol 59 are great! It ain't all black and white y'know... Damn (!) if the politics weren't about he would be free to be more artistic than atavistic, which would be great coz he has a great turn of phrase and flow...

[@humam19900]

the chorus of the song is amazing

[@moussleouf]

@Sabei0990 EXCUSE ME MY BROTHER !! DAM means "eternity" in Arabic, "blood" in Hebrew and it means "MC's Da Arabian" in English. :))

[@Idapidaros]

I totally agree.. it's like you have to watch your every word when u critisize Israel's violation of human rights, cuz your arguments might be seen as anti-semitic even tho they have nothing to do with the jewish ppl. I just pray this war will come to an end some time. It affects sooo many people :/

[@catnawal]

I love this group they are really AWSOME! they showed the sign where im from LID PALESTINE

[@geva90]

thanks man

[@spikeli84]

très belle musique et très belle parole également

[@Peynal]

I like that they're using rap what it was originally created for, social protest. Also, I think the Arabic language lends itself well to the format.

[@BenvelMusic]

peace man! Our middle eastern culture has a lot of common things like Humus and Shavarma and Middle eastern music.. our nations in general both have a lot of respect to religion and traditions so this gives us a strong basis to respect eachother... If you forget for a moment about politics , borders and so on... we lose hate to eachother! PS. Respect to HUMUS SAID in Akko! LOL

[@Di5TuRBeD]

Thank you.

[@BassamHassaan]

Abeeeeeeer is Dope ;) Much Respect

[@SandraSegé]

I saw them on air and they are very very good....i would like to know them some day....I'm from Canary Island and they have been here last saturday (1st august) FREE PALESTINE AND FREE SAHARA!!!!

[@_jszos7]

very nice song :)

[@hal94]

they were soooo good at womad. best event i saw

[@omomnokia]

awesome stuff...reality well described...ya rab ragga3 lena ardena wala te7remna menha tany

[@Bakuninite]

Yeah, I really like what project hope is doing. I was considering going over and teaching english there as well someday...how was it?

[@justinelhillow]

no guys rapping in Hebrew and girl rapping in Arabic :P. i kno the west always portrays Arabic as a languages with many Kha's but Hebrew has much more then Arabic. lol, they are both related but in my opinon Hebrew is more harsh and Arabic has more of a flow.

[@Anhari.1]

that song .. with it video .. shows exactly how arabs inside israel live .. especially in the cities where arabs and jews lives togather ..

[@MrEmony253]

I'm actually diggin this, if you want to more about DAM look for Dave McDonald.

[@wotcanada]

good video

[@Inkahustler]

Great Lyrics !

[@assaf014]

love the song BTW god job

[@texassy]

BravooOoo..you guys are pros..hope to see you doing well internationaly

[@kingi97]

@moussleouf no, "DAM" means "blood" in both Arabic and Hebrew. Dont forget they are both Semitic Languages!!

[@mites7]

its called Hebrew/Ivrit and thats the language of the rap. Arabic/3rabi is the language that the girl is singing in. :)

[@bintyyy]

you open your eyes!

[@evolv76]

Cool, Viva Palestina! Best wishes from Europe :) I now few Jews, and they are one of the most inteligent and cool friends of mine, ...but Israel is a conservative state of apartheid ..that's no doubt :(

[@dmuldoon512]

Awesome!

[@blobboflava]

Thanks for posting and intelligent responses. The controversial nature of the 2 interest groups' responses is good. This is an exchange of thoughts, emotions, views etc. Thanks to all commenters, the intelligent, the compassionate the angry and aggressive ones (even the dumb ones)!

[@mites7]

For sure, there have been a lot more Palestinians and Israelis protesting things like the wall and war peacefully, but sadly we dont see much of it publicised cuz the army always gives them a hard time. though in the army defense, they protest in areas they're technically not allowed in. But I agree, we need to make peace the same way mendella gahndi and king did, with heart, not with weapons.

[@shtetlcholoycd]

just stop! i'm an american jew and i'm ashamed and embarrassed by how impossibly self-absorbed these comments are (and pathetically argued). this discussion shouldn't even be about land. this is about the marginalization of palestinians with israeli citizenship. i think the fact that this is presented in fluent hebrew speaks volumes.

[@ayboday]

"Add to it white pepper,it will sneeze from a loaded gun"

[@foodconsult]

FANTASTIC!!!!! PEACE

[@alinxxy]

nice clip...the song is hot 2...a good job DAM...shoe the world thw truth! Peace from Romania!

[@katsaur]

I like this better than a lot of American rap. I'm so not a rap person. But this is actually really good :)

[@K00B0]

i hope so

[@TerrorizeRecords]

Genocide Ft. Mahmood (From. DAM) "Let us Live" check it out at GENOCIDEMUSIC COM

[@thelettertsix]

@paulsviplist i'm purty sure the girl in this vid. is " Abeer "

[@nawaflih]

We're all against the idea of zionism Peace! from Jordan

[@ta7reer00]

@angrygopher the chorus is Arabic( when the girl sings) and the verses are Hebrew

[@toxicboy1221]

love it!

[@NeuteredMoron]

brillant positive stuff - love and solidarity from ireland. great to see a woman rapper breaking down bullsh*t stereotypes - free palestine free gaza. DAM (defining arabic music).

[@maryamni92]

check out the documentary "the furius force of rhymes"

[@Irregulation]

I searched "dam" on the search bar and got this.

[@arad7613]

I've seen DAM perform in Israel (I was one of the few Jews in attendance). They were absolutely amazing. Three rapping machine guns. Their latest CD 'Dedication' is, for me, the best album of 2006. DAM lash at Israeli society and Arab society, and do it from a truly enlightened and passionate point of view. As an Israeli Jew, it thrills, scares and educates me. It gives me hope for a future when Palestinians will fight for their rights with music, not with bombs. It is so much more effective.

[@kais10]

Muito bom, mesmo!!! Parabéns

[@moussaemad]

good song indeed!!!

[@ufotofu9]

Dam means "blood" in Hebrew" too.

[@Pathrissia]

I like this

[@ninaquero]

@opiegonebad "Utopia" was written not by some Vogue editor, but by Thomas More, based in turn on Plato's "Republic", so a slight dose of "utopianism" is maybe something that this world so pragmatically "cynical" just might be needing. This aside, GREAT VIDEO, related with an ethical topic, the crimes of zionism- a colonialist ideology accepted by "world leaders"and its monstrous creation, the unholy racist-fascist state of Israel and its nazi-like treatment of Palestinians.

[@J87513]

I don't think there is because believe it or not, there are many people who benefit from the conflict on both sides who are in power.

[@DANxCHORIN]

the PLO does not bomb civilian targets anymore, they occasionally engage in skirmishes with the IDF in the West Bank.

[@XyphonX]

I agree that they should talk. Completely. However the last part is somewhat true,still you must remember: Israel agreed to the first 2-state solutions, the Arab States didn't.

[@anaheedyoutuba]

Might does not hold down a people forever, history teach us this much.

[@sakhn]

Thank you for all of South America and all of the free on the world .. Atnoi for we are Arabs and Palestinians do not forget the beautiful