1. The image (Hanna the Drunkard): The image is a stylised shot featuring an artistic, romanticised graphic. It centers on a well-known Arabic musical theme.
The large calligraphy at the bottom reads “كان الزمان وكان” (Once Upon a Time), and on the wall, there is “حنا السكران” (9).
If these lyrics ring a bell, it’s because they directly reference the legendary Lebanese classic written by the Rahbani Brothers and composed by Elias Rahbani. While the iconic Fairouz famously sang it, this phrasing and aesthetic match the flamenco and gypsy-style remixes trending across social media, created by 3z Production, a digital music creator known for infusing Andalusian and Latin vibes into nostalgic Arabic classics.
The song itself paints a beautiful, melancholic picture of a sleepy old village from the past. It captures a simple moment: children play outside while Hanna, an eccentric village character, sits behind his shop, singing emotional melodies and painting portraits of the girl next door on the walls. Even after she leaves and the neighbourhood changes, he stays behind, obsessively painting her face on the walls of forgetfulness.
Beyond the tracks, 3z Production is widely recognized for a distinct visual brand. Every single release is paired with cinematic, softly lit, and romantic AI-generated artwork (just like this one!) depicting wandering guitar poets, cozy taverns, and Spanish-Arab aesthetics. It’s the perfect bridge between timeless folklore and modern digital art!
2. The song (Hanna the Drunkard):
English translation of the song “Kan El Zaman W Kan“:
Once upon a time,
There was a small shop tucked in the shade,
And little girls and boys
Used to come and play by the water.
Hanna the drunkard would be there,
Sitting right behind the shop,
Singing away, making the neighbor’s daughter feel sad.
La la la la…
Along with the birds,
We used to wander all around the neighbourhood.
Flying straight toward the little shop,
Carrying bundles of fresh flowers.
But Hanna the drunkard would be distracted,
Drawn onto the old walls,
Painting a portrait of the neighbour’s daughter.
La la la la…
The beautiful girl from the neighbour’s house
Left the village on a holiday night.
The old shop was completely torn down,
And a brand-new house was built in its place.
Yet Hanna the drunkard still remains,
Lost upon the walls of forgetfulness,
Still painting a portrait of the neighbour’s daughter.
La la la la…
“Oh, please don’t forget me… don’t forget me, and always remember Hanna the drunkard.”
حنا السكران؛ قصة في أغنية ولوحة رقمية
كلمات الأخوين رحباني وتلحين ألياس رحباني وغناء فيروز:
كان الزمان وكان في دكانة بالحي
وبنيات وصبيان نيجي نلعب ع المي
يبقى حنا السكران قاعد خلف الدكان
يغني وتحزن بنت الجيران
لالالالا لالالالا
نحنا والعصافير كنا بالحي ندور
صوب الدكان نطير حاملين غمار زهور
يبقى حنا السكران ملهي وعلى الحيطان
عم بيصور بنت الجيران
لالالالا لالالالا
حلوة ببيت الجيران راحت بليلة عيد
وانهدت الدكان وتعمر بيت جديد
وبعده حنا السكران على حيطان النسيان
عم بيصور بنت الجيران
لالالالا لالالالا
أوعى تنسيني، أوعى تنسيني وتذكري حنا السكران
