Lost in the Souk
Jean-Paul VERNERET
23/4/2026

Verse 1
The sun sinks low behind Koutoubia
Shadows stretch on the warm ochre ground
I drift along with no map to guide me
Where spice-laced whispers wander around
A merchant calls me, a carpet unfurled
Red and blue like a silk-spun world
Left or right—have I lost the track?
The alley narrows, no turning back

Pre-Chorus
Smoke from the stalls climbs into the night
Tagine simmers in clay, glowing bright
The chaos shimmers like some grand veil
Where every street makes your spirit sail

Chorus
Lost in the souk, lost in time
Jemaa el-Fna in rhythm and rhyme
Between the henna and hammered steel
My mind lets go, I just drift and feel
Oh Marrakech, don’t look for me
I’m right where I want to be

Verse 2
The clash of brass and the gnaoua song
Metal gleams in the lamplight glow
Shadows dance like an opera strong
In this maze where the wild winds blow
Sweet and bitter, the scent of tea
Blends with laughter rushing past me
A flute-charmer plays to the air
And I drift like a child with no care

Pre-Chorus
Smoke from the stalls climbs into the night
Tagine simmers in clay, glowing bright
The chaos shimmers like some grand veil
Where every street makes your spirit sail

Chorus
Lost in the souk, lost in time
Jemaa el-Fna in rhythm and rhyme
Between the henna and hammered steel
My mind lets go, I just drift and feel
Oh Marrakech, don’t look for me
I’m right where I want to be

Verse 3
A merchant of light pours tea in my hand
Sugar and absinthe quiet my stride
We bargain for time, we bargain for sand
In this madness, nothing can hide
Cumin and leather fill up the air
Hold me back though I’m going nowhere
I spin in circles round every stand
In this turning world of stone and sand

Pre-Chorus
Smoke from the stalls climbs into the night
Tagine simmers in clay, glowing bright
The chaos shimmers like some grand veil
Where every street makes your spirit sail

Chorus
Lost in the souk, lost in time
Jemaa el-Fna in rhythm and rhyme
Between the henna and hammered steel
My mind lets go, I just drift and feel
Oh Marrakech, don’t look for me
I’m right where I want to be

Outro
A glass of mint, one final glance
The moon climbs high on the old stone wall
Lost… maybe by chance—
But here’s where I found it all.