Lejla

Look what I found!

Hari Mata Hari represented Bosnia & Herzegovina at Eurovision in Athens last week. Here is their performance of Lejla:



Or the official music video, which you can see here:



Lejla comes from the Arabic, meaning a dark night on which your fate or destiny will be determined. (Referring in this case to the definite win Mata Hari looked to have on the night!)

But I have a theory on some of the imagery in the music video. There is an old lady spinning wool and weaving in the middle - also a recurring motif is the floating golden thread.

I think it is an allusion to the Greek Fates who controlled Destiny, called the Moirae:
1) Clotho spins the thread of life with her distaff
2) Lachesis measures the thread of life with her rod
3) Atropos cuts the thread of life with her shears


Here is the English translation:

LAYLA

Wind rolls down the meadow,
Pain follows me like a shadow,
Do you still long for me,
Where have you gone, oh, sorrow.

Rosemary in your hair,
And a flower by the fountain,
Layla.

How could you ever love another.

My dove, lovely dove,
Not a song, bring her my tears.

When they ask for your hand,
My love, I won't be there,
Sorrow is easy to forgive.
But love is not forgiven, ever.

How could you ever love another.

My dove, lovely dove,
Not a song, bring her my tears.

Now I go, for I have loved,
The one who could never be mine.

My dove, lovely dove,
Not a song, bring her my tears.

Now I go, for I have loved,
The one who could never be mine.

Why did I love you,
Layla.

TEXT