1. Pour the ink and break the pens,
Fold up the pages and clear the minds,

2. Take every crookedness upon the heart,
And live your life asleep.

3. Shut your eyes and bow your heads,
And stay in the place of the deceased.

4. Leave the pact and betray the covenants,
A people who see keeping covenants as forbidden.

5. O Egypt, what more do you want? Is it not enough
That you have become food for the oppressors?

6. My death is no loss for the ailing one,
And the pains of life are enough worry.

7. Who can return your pact wholesome,
And make your voice sound high again?

8. We stood up for you and strangulation tightened,
The self wearied, hurt and worried.

9. Days with no firmness or compulsion,
Except the strongest knocks down the feeblest.

10. War is raging and your army standing,
Drawing swords and raising flags.

11. How can we decide on harm and oppression?
Or how can we hide rage in our hearts?

12. Did the swords reach lives in the fray?
Or were lives reaching the swords?

13. Do we betray Egypt while her Nile still turns,
Poison, and brightness does not change to darkness?

14. We want for her the most honorable glory,
Supported by knowledge which disappoints the demolisher.

15. We strengthen her flag and protect her oasis,
And increase the sincerity of our love for her.

16. Does the vicissitude of fate despair of us,
A nation that wants the life of glory or bounties?