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A charity drive is aiming to send a traditional song from Palestine to the Christmas number one spot. The campaign aims to send support to Gaza's residents while also showcasing Palestinian cultural expression.

A Chance for Solidarity and an "Chart Upset"

Composer and producer Brian Eno, who features on the track, stated that the song titled Lullaby represents a chance to stand with Palestinians over the Christmas period. He acknowledged the potential for an unlikely festive coup.

“That would be amazing if that came to pass, yes,” he commented. “I’m not gonna be completely disappointed if it fails to, holiday tracks are a category of their own.”

Defiant Message of Dignity and Freedom

Palestinian singer Nai Barghouti, who features in the adaptation of a folk song called Yamma Mwel El Hawa, explained the track's powerful central theme.

“The song holds a very special place for many individuals,” Barghouti shared. “It’s basically saying that I would choose to perish with honor than spend my life without freedom. That is the core idea of the song; we desire to exist a dignified life that we deserve as Palestinians.”

Production History and Contributing Musicians

The song was recorded following a solidarity show held in the autumn. Initially planned to be performed and recorded live, the performance was shelved during the concert due to scheduling overruns.

The impressive roster of performers contributing to Lullaby features a range of prominent voices from the industry. All were part of the September show, which successfully generated a significant sum for relief efforts.

Creation and Launch

Lullaby was brought to life by a team of producers and composers. The track showcases a combination of the traditional Arabic lyrics with contemporary English verses.

The team running the campaign have clarified that their aim is to collect the highest amount for a charitable pot. These resources will be allocated to projects in Palestine through an non-profit partner.

“We don’t have a rigid aim,” a spokesperson explained. “We will pursue whatever we can get. Of course, the greater the amount, the better. All proceeds are directed out to Gaza.”

The reality in the area was noted for its widespread damage, with a huge proportion of buildings reportedly levelled or seriously harmed.

“Against that backdrop, a couple of million won't make a massive dent. But I think what does make a difference is first of all making this cause better known and showing that another narrative exists.”

The track is scheduled for release at the end of the week. Additionally, a complete film of the charity concert will be made ready to watch on a major video platform from later in the month.