Many people thought it was just a passing stunt, soon to disappear into oblivion. But month after month, the NGO proved – through its spectacular and rather clever actions on the ground – to be more efficient in exposing the pandemic corruption plaguing all sides of Lebanese society than many of its predecessors.
A year or so later, the garbage crisis begun and people started taking to the streets. Soon, a massive popular movement was born. Lebanese finally woke up and decided to get rid the country of corruption, and close its damn “shop” once and for all.
Today, Sakker El Dekkene has become an inspirationally defiant song written and performed by independent Lebanese artist and singer Tania Saleh.
"I wrote this song for Sakker El Dekkene NGO because I believe in their cause, says Tania Saleh. Fighting corruption on all levels of society is the first step towards building a true state and strengthening citizenship. So, instead of lamenting and losing hope, I thought we should start somewhere."
Beyond a simple song for an NGO, “Sakker El Dekkene” is a true hymn for the anti-corruption revolution shaking Lebanon.
قوم سكّر الدكّانة
بالتعاون مع Tania Saleh#قوم_سكّر_الدكّانةسكّر الدكّانة بتفتخر إنها تكون جزء من الحراك المدني يلّي عم بيطالب بالشفافية وبمحاسبة الطبقة الفاسدة بلبنانصار وقت نرفع صوتنا بجرأة ومسؤوليةلنسكّر دكانة الفساد#سكر_الدكانة#طلعت_ريحتكم#بدنا_نحاسب#مستمرون#حلوا_عنا#يسقط_حكم_الازعر#youstink#حركة_القرفانين#شباب_ضد_النظام#sakkera#sakkereldekkene
Posted by Sakker El Dekkene on Friday, September 11, 2015
If you don’t speak Arabic, here’s what the lyrics say:
Your troubles never seem to end
Faced with failure after failure
You have endured for far too long
And you see little hope for the future
Your patience is running low
Your debts will last generations
You’re left with no choice, and no hope
You’re giving up on Lebanon
They say he who steals has stolen
And what is done is done
But what are you still waiting for?
Stand up! And shut down the shop (of corruption)
They have us neatly arranged on shelves
Look at us, they’re selling us for a price
Everyday our lives are bartered, sold
To the left and to the right
This shop has many branches
You’ll find them at every turn, on every corner
Here, you pay up front not knowing what’s on offer
Whether you’re family or a stranger
They say he who steals has stolen
And what is done is done,
But what are you still waiting for?
Stand up! And shut down the shop (of corruption)
We are more than 4 million strong
Except for that one percent
And here they are playing with us
Their game of heroes and thieves
We may not have a say
In games of international politics
But when it comes to corruption
Each one of us is responsible
Faced with failure after failure
You have endured for far too long
And you see little hope for the future
Your patience is running low
Your debts will last generations
You’re left with no choice, and no hope
You’re giving up on Lebanon
They say he who steals has stolen
And what is done is done
But what are you still waiting for?
Stand up! And shut down the shop (of corruption)
They have us neatly arranged on shelves
Look at us, they’re selling us for a price
Everyday our lives are bartered, sold
To the left and to the right
This shop has many branches
You’ll find them at every turn, on every corner
Here, you pay up front not knowing what’s on offer
Whether you’re family or a stranger
They say he who steals has stolen
And what is done is done,
But what are you still waiting for?
Stand up! And shut down the shop (of corruption)
We are more than 4 million strong
Except for that one percent
And here they are playing with us
Their game of heroes and thieves
We may not have a say
In games of international politics
But when it comes to corruption
Each one of us is responsible
They say he who steals has stolen
And what is done is done,
But what are you still waiting for?
Stand up! And shut down the shop (of corruption)
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