Does anyone remember Desert Rose by Sting?

I had heard Desert Rose as a child and loved it, but hadn't found the name of it until last year, and now it's still one of my favorite songs. I'm Arabic, but I don't start learning Arabic until next year, so I've always wondered what Cheb Mami (The man with the high voice singing in Arabic in the beginning and throughout the song) was saying in the beginning. If anyone could translate or give a brief description of what he says, I would really appreciate it!