Mawood Ive Been Promised

Abdel Halim Hafez's song 'Mawood I've Been Promised' is a poignant exploration of the cyclical nature of love and suffering. The repeated phrase 'Mawood,' meaning 'used to' or 'accustomed to,' sets the tone for the entire song, emphasizing the inevitability and familiarity of pain in the singer's romantic experiences. The lyrics convey a deep sense of resignation and acceptance of the wounds and heartaches that come with love, as the heart is described as being 'used to torture' and 'always wounded.' This repetition underscores the relentless and unending nature of emotional suffering in the context of love.

The song also delves into the theme of unfulfilled promises and the longing for joy. The singer laments that despite the repeated attempts to find happiness and love, the outcome is always the same—returning from the journey with wounds. The lyrics 'And you never experienced joy with me' and 'Returning from the journey with wounds' highlight the disappointment and the cyclical pattern of hope and despair. The plea to the world to 'take us to our joy' and 'keep any grief away from us' reflects a desperate yearning for a break from this cycle and a desire for lasting happiness.

In the latter parts of the song, there is a shift towards a more hopeful tone, with the imagery of the moon rising and the fear resigning. This symbolizes a new beginning and the possibility of finding peace and fulfillment. However, the recurring fear of the end of the journey and the doubt about whether it will lead to 'Heaven or fire' suggests that the uncertainty and anxiety about the future remain. The song concludes with a sense of acceptance of the inevitable return to love and its accompanying pain, as the singer acknowledges that they will 'go to love again' and face the 'fire and torture' once more. This acceptance of the cyclical nature of love and pain is a central theme in Abdel Halim Hafez's music, reflecting the complexities and emotional depth of human relationships.