Photograph of the Original Ink Drawing. Dimensions: 58cm x 42cm
The image of the four Beatles is created using only the letters and shapes of the Diwani Djali Arabic script. The words in the piece are the lyrics to the song “With a Little Help from My Friends” by John Lennon and Paul McCartney. The original English lyrics have been translated into Arabic by India Stoughton and Everitte Barbee. The song is written exactly once in the five columns in the background, as well as once again in the bodies and heads of the figures themselves. No words are repeated. The audio and lyrics of the song can be found below:
What would you do if I sang out of tune?
Would you stand up and walk out on me?
Lend me your ears and I'll sing you a song,
and I'll try not to sing out of key.
Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends.
Mmm, I get high with a little help from my friends.
Mmm, gonna try with a little help from my friends.
What do I do when my love is away?
Does it worry you to be alone?
How do I feel by the end of the day?
Are you sad because you're on your own?
No, I get by with a little help from my friends.
Mmm, I get high with a little help from my friends.
Mmm, gonna try with a little help from my friends.
Do you need anybody?
I need somebody to love.
Could it be anybody?
I want somebody to love.
Would you believe in a love at first sight?
Yes, I'm certain that it happens all the time.
What do you see when you turn out the light?
I can't tell you, but I know it's mine.
Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends.
Mmm, I get high with a little help from my friends.
Oh, I'm gonna try with a little help from my friends.
Do you need anybody?
I just need someone to love.
Could it be anybody?
I want somebody to love.
Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends.
Mmm, I'm gonna try with a little help from my friends.
Oh, I get high with a little help from my friends.
Yes, I get by with a little help from my friends,
with a little help from my friends. Ah.