1. O expatriate, gone astray, hold on
We are the most faithful to our promise, the kindest welcome

2. The more the beloved went into exile
The more yearning grew in our souls and flourished

3. You will only see us as we are, genuine
Do not ask us, nor did longing take hold

4. O expatriate, gone astray, you did not depart
From hearts, so you did not leave, expectant

5. You are in everything good that circulates
In our Lebanon, and all that manifests

6. In the crowds’ clamor, the chiming of blades rings out
And in the beauty of the draped darkness

7. In the murmuring of streams, in the clamor of torrents
In the melody of most precious and sweetest songs

8. How could we forget you when the spring cannot forget
Nor the river be distracted from longing for you?

9. How, when the pine tree applauds only
When you are named, and the shadow dances not but for you

10. How, when the flowers whisper and gather
Only as your name is recited upon them

11. So it is as if the scent lingering in the valleys
Were shreds of your time from before

12. Who is the agitator who spoiled affection
And revived suspicions in you and intimated?

13. The doubter, hatred and grudge
Did not cease to humiliate the most lowly

14. Forgiveness, enough for you from those ungrateful
For the generous, who made the land fertile with his grace

15. From those who denied your valiant efforts, and disavowed
Your struggle uphill, and were ungrateful

16. From those who ignored the struggle of one enduring grief
And grew arrogant at fate’s grace

17. Will you repay your hardships with indifference and disdain
When others would humiliate you so?

18. We who cherished passion, cherished agreement
Chastising those who confused you, chastising harshly

19. So leave the blame and aloofness, and return to me
Take spirit, judge and take responsibility

20. Return, for you are the desired, you and no other
As my right hand intends, decisively and absolutely

21. Return to the open space, my lands will not be narrow for their people
Nor sparse in lodging

22. Those whose children protect the destitute when asked
With the nobility they were brought up with

23. And sanctuary will only be the gentle sanctuary
With reason arbitrating it

24. The caprice of fate did not drive us insane with it
It enriched those you know and turned away

25. They left the fertile pasture desolate
And the green meadows barren and sandy

26. And sanctioned violating the rights of the weak, and obstructed
Before the strivers for livelihood, the paths

27. They shackled the people, woe to them! And made them taste
Patience in kinds of humiliation and submission

28. And they corrupted the perverts until
The homeland almost grew to hate independence

29. Say to the arrogant obstinate one with the sword
He relies on it, but truth is more lasting and lofty