L'Gherien

A new video and track release by Lejla Maltija. 'L'Għerien' is a song about the mystery and history within the caves and grottoes of Malta. An original Lejla Maltija track, the music is by Mario Cordina recorded at Anidroc Studios. The Video is obviously filmed in Malta by Anidroc Film for Lejla Maltija. The locations include Għar Dalam, the cave filled with prehistoric remains and the Blue Grotto in Żurrieq with it's red coral and crystal clear waters. The fauna and fish were filmed at the Malta National Aquarium in Bugibba.

The Music

Based on Maltese melodic chords, it is dominated by guitars and hand claps for percussion. Most of the instruments are performed by Mario Cordina together with the vocals. The instruments include the zaqq, a Maltese bagpipe instrument made out of sheepskin, bass and a bass drum which is basically a chair cushion. The music is by Lejla Maltija under the A.M.P. label. All rights reserved.

The Video
An Anidroc Film for Lejla Maltija the video is  directed by Mario Cordina and Jagoda Beltrani. The video shows one of the many daily boat trips round the Blue Grotto and other caves in the area, together with fish and fauna in the Malta National Aquarium in Buġibba. The intro and ending feature the Għar Dalam cave with it's bones and skeletons from a prehistoric age. The video ends with Mario humorously tapping an aquarium glass seemingly hypnotising the fish and the boat trip guide inviting the tourists to check out the echo in the Blue Grotto interior.   

The Lyrics
L'Gherien
Mario Cordina

L'Għerien
L'Għerien tal-Maltin, bil-koral imdawlin
Ilma ċar, ilma pur,
Min din l'art bniet is-sur
Madwar dawn ix-xtut,
kenn u skiet, kenn u skiet
Naqra serħan għal-ħut

Translation
The Caves
Mario Cordina

The Caves
The caves of the Maltese people, lit up by coral.
Clear water, pure water,
From these the earth built it's bastions,
Around these coastlines,
Shelter and quiet, shelter and quiet,
A little bit of rest for the fish.

Watch the Video

X'Figolla Jrid

Lejla Maltija has just released a new track entitled 'X'Figolla Jrid?' The film and the song is about the traditional Maltese Easter sweet - Figolla and the custom of men trailing the statue of a risen Christ through the streets as fast as they can dare, cheered on by the crowds. The 'Figolla' is an almond filled pastry often in the form of animals or whatever one may fancy. Keeping the person or child who will receive the sweet in mind, they can accordingly take on the shape of a car or a musical instrument, a character from a fairy tale or a romantic heart. The traditional lamb has now been replaced with football team emblems, even what they call 3D shapes taking over the flat sweet. 

 

Has anyone asked the risen Christ the question 'Which shape of Figolla would you like?'
This is the ironic tale behind the tune in Maltese.

'X'Figolla Jrid?' was recorded at Anidroc Studios and produced by A.M.P. for Lejla Maltija.
Performed by Lejla Maltija.
Music and Lyrics by Mario Cordina for Lejla Maltija

The lyrics in Maltese are by Mario Cordina together with an English translation come below.

X’ Figolla Jrid?

Min jaf L’Irxoxt, x’ figolla jrid?
Issa li nizel minn fuq is-salib.
Ħarġuħ jiġri matt-toroq kollha,
Qalb iċ-ċapċip u’ l-briju tall-folla.

(Who knows which figolla the resurrected Christ wants? Now that he has come down from the cross. They took him out running through all the streets, through the cheering and merriment of the crowds.)
Ġanni jrid figolla fill-forma ta kitarra,
Maria trid sirena,
Qalb bill-bajda taċ-ċikkulata għaz-zija Ċett,
Lin-neputija għamiltilha farfett.   

(Ganni i.e. Joseph, wants a figolla in the shape of a guitar. Maria wants a mermaid. A heart with a chocolate egg for Auntie Cett
and a butterfly, I made for my niece.)


Min qadd saqsiegħ?
X’figolla Jrid?

(Whoever asked Him,
Which Figolla he prefers?)

The video for 'X'Figolla Jrid' is an Anidroc Film for Lejla Maltija. It features the Easter Celebrations in Malta with figollas and the Statue of the Risen Christ tradition in the cities of Bormla, Birgu, Isla and Mosta. An A.M.P. production 2016. All rights reserved.


Photos by Jagoda Beltrani.
Figollas by Anthony Cordina and Jagoda Beltrani.
Pisanki by Jagoda Beltrani.