[Verse 1]
On the corniche, the carts slow down
Tea glasses tremble, saucers drown
Amina folds her shawl by the stall
And the whole old street leans into it all
[Pre-Chorus]
Dust turns silk on the stone
Kids run laughing, then they go home
Palm trees shake off the heat
And my heart starts beating to the rain's soft feet
[Chorus]
Matar ʿala Misr
Wash my name
Matar ʿala Misr
Cool the flame
The roofs sing back
The drains all cry
Matar ʿala Misr
Stay a while
[Verse 2]
In the alley, bread gets wrapped up fast
A cat jumps high from a silver splash
Taxi windows blur in the hush
And the dates on the cart look fresh in the rush
[Pre-Chorus]
I smell clay and mint
Hear the prayer call slip and hint
Every crack in the old white wall
Holds a little light when the first drops fall
[Chorus]
Matar ʿala Misr
Wash my name
Matar ʿala Misr
Cool the flame
The roofs sing back
The drains all cry
Matar ʿala Misr
Stay a while
[Bridge]
Over Giza, over homes
Over mango crates and dome-shaped stones
Let the fields drink deep tonight
Let the Nile keep moving in the moon-white light
[Chorus]
Matar ʿala Misr
Wash my name
Matar ʿala Misr
Cool the flame
The roofs sing back
The drains all cry
Matar ʿala Misr
Stay a while