Hassan Sabriye better known as Hassan Garayd was born in Hiiraan during 1940s. The present-day Somali young generation might not know his contribution to countless Somali songs they enjoy listening to or watching on TV. Hassan is what Somalis calls laxamiiste – the person who teaches the singer how to sing the song once the composer hands over lyrics to Hassan.
The popular Somali TV interviewer, Omar Serbiya, interviewed Hassan Garayd nearly two years ago. Hassan Garayd put a tune to a song first in 1968. It is a song co-sung by Mohamed Ahmed Kuluc and Halima Khalif Magool ( both deceased). Mohamed Mohamud Yasin ( aka Dheeg), now a member of Somaliland Council of Elders ( Guurti) wrote the song of which the following lines are part:
Sida canabka beeraha
Ama kayn caleenliyo
Dhul cagaarku siman yahay
Caad iyo Garloogubay
Cosobkii ku yaalloo
Cawshu gaardiyaysoo
Cidi daaqin baad tee
Cawo waxaa leh
Ama ciil bixi lahaa
Calaf nimuu ku siiyoo
Cunto ku la wadaagood
Gogol ku la cawaysaa
A rough translation of the lines from the song:
“Like the grapes of farms
Or evergreen jungle
A vegetation-enveloped land
Like Caad and Garloogubey*
Covered in lush
Over which a gazelle romp
That none has browsed you are
Lucky is the one
Who would throw resentment
With whom destiny united you
To share food
And bedspread with you“
Hassan Garayd elucidated his approach to deciding how a singer or vocalist will sing a song. “I take into account emotion of the song-writer before deciding how the song will be sung by a singer. I should know the context” said Hassan Garayd said.
In 1967 Hassan joined Radio Mogadishu Troupe. In 1969 the military regime rebranded Radio Mogadishu Troupe as Waaberi (Dawn). ” The late Mohamed Ali Kaariye came up with name Waaberi ” Dawn”) Hassan added.
*Caad & Garloogubey are towns in the Somali region of Ethiopia
© Puntland Post Monthly, 2020
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