1. His singing brings joy,
Exchanging poverty for wealth.
١. ومسمع غناؤه
يبدل بالفقر الغنى
2. I saw him in a group,
I was pleased to make him my companion.
٢. شهدته في عصبةٍ
رضيتهم لي قرنا
3. I looked at him closely,
My insight did not fail me as I drew near.
٣. أبصرته فلم تخب
فراستي لما دنا
4. And I asked, "Who is this with the radiant face?
How can he be so virtuous?"
٤. وقلت من ذا وجهه
كيف يكون محسنا
5. I intended to test him,
Suspicious of his goodness.
٥. ورمت أن أروح لل
ظن به ممتحنا
6. I said, "Of all these people,
Bring me this man, let him sing for us!"
٦. فقلت من بينهم
هات أخي غن لنا
7. It was not an easy day,
My day in the market.
٧. ويوم سلعٍ لم يكن
يومي بسلعٍ هينا
8. He frowned, and lowered his brow,
The gathering filled with a foul odor.
٨. فانشال منه حاجب
وحلجب منه انحنى
9. When it hit their souls,
It stirred up enmity and bitterness.
٩. وامتلأ المجلس من
فيه نسيماً منتنا
10. He said what he said,
To those who would hear amidst the shadows of death.
١٠. أوقع إذ وقع في الأن
فس أسباب العنا
11. He was not content with just melody and rhythm,
Until he created a new composition.
١١. وقال لما قال من
يسمع في ظل الفنا
12. After all his boasting and bragging,
And tomorrow, how we will match him!
١٢. وما اكتفى باللحن وال
تخليط حتى لحنا
13. He imitated musical ensembles,
As if he had composed it himself.
١٣. هذا وكم تكشخن ال
وغد وكم تقرنننا
14. He let out a grating voice,
Beyond the acceptable limits.
١٤. يوهم زمراً أنه
قطعه ودندنا
15. Those present did not realize
What calamity he had brought upon them all.
١٥. وصاح صوتاً نافراً
يخرج عن حد البنا
16. Some held their noses,
Others covered their ears.
١٦. وما درى محضره
ماذا على القوم جنى
17. A group shielded their eyes,
To block him out.
١٧. فذا يسد أنفه
وذا يسد الأذنا
18. I became so angry I almost
Vented my rage in sorrowful song.
١٨. ومنهم جماعة
تستر عنه الأعينا
19. I said, "People, listen!
Either to the singer or to me!"
١٩. فاغتظت حتى كدت من
غيظٍ أبث الشجنا
20. I swore I would not sit
Until this man left here.
٢٠. وقلت يا قوم اسمعوا
إما المغني أو أنا
21. "Drag this dog out by his leg,
This sickness and contempt!"
٢١. أقسمت لا أجلس أو
يخرج هذا من هنا
22. They said, "You have been merciful to us,
And averted affliction from us."
٢٢. جروا برجل الكلب إن
السقم هذا والضنا
23. I rejoiced in removing him,
Easing my soul and earning their praise.
٢٣. قالوا لقد رحمتنا
وذدت عنا المحنا
24. When he turned his back,
I saw relief openly expressed among them.
٢٤. فحزت في إخراجه
راحة نفسي والثنا
25. "Praise God," they said,
"Who has removed our sorrow!"
٢٥. وحين ولى شخصه
قرأت فيهم معلنا
٢٦. الحمد لله الذي
أذهب عنا الحزنا