[Intro — whispered, with distant oud and soft flute] Do not leave it, do not leave it too long… Under the golden sun, the raisins are born… [Verse 1] Beneath the sun, the grapes lay still, Drinking the heat from every hill. The garden slept in amber light, While tiny fruits were kissed by night. She held one raisin in her hand, A wrinkled jewel from golden land. It looked so small, so dry, so plain— Yet sweetness hid beneath its skin. [Pre-Chorus — soft female voice] “Where is your heart, my little one?” “There is no heart, my gracious one. I gave it all beneath the sun, For the pleasure of your tongue.” [Chorus — lush, hypnotic] Do not leave it, do not leave it too long, Beneath the sun, the raisins grow strong. “Where is your heart?” — “My heart is gone, I gave it all beneath the sun.” Raisin, raisin, golden and small, You were forgotten, but conquered them all. From vine to treasure, from garden to plate, A little dried jewel the sun could create. [Verse 2] She walked through the Sheikh’s vineyard, Gathering grapes beneath the sky. She cast aside the shriveled fruit, The ones she thought had lost their worth. Then curiosity made her taste One little berry left to waste. Her eyes grew wide — the sweetness came Like honey hiding in a flame. [Pre-Chorus — whispered, building] “Where is your heart, my little one?” “There is no heart, my gracious one. The sun has taken every drop, And left the sweetness at the top.” [Chorus] Do not leave it, do not leave it too long, Beneath the sun, the raisins grow strong. “Where is your heart?” — “My heart is gone, I gave it all beneath the sun.” Raisin, raisin, golden and small, You were forgotten, but conquered them all. From vine to treasure, from garden to plate, A little dried jewel the sun could create. [Bridge — slower, magical, oud and flute] Do not throw away what seems to fade, Some hidden sweetness grows in shade. What once was left among the leaves May become the treasure no one sees. Not every jewel must brightly shine, Some carry the warmth of an ancient vine. And what was cast aside one day May find a golden place to stay. [Final Chorus — more majestic] Do not leave it, do not leave it too long, Beneath the sun, the raisins grow strong. “Where is your heart?” — “My heart is gone, I gave it all beneath the sun.” Raisin, raisin, your place is not Among the leaves that the gardeners forgot. You shine in golden dishes tonight, A desert jewel in the Sheikh’s candlelight. [Outro — whispered] Do not leave it… Do not leave it too long… Under the sun… The raisins are born.
