1. O friend of my soul, Khalil Pasha
Greetings of sweet and precious fragrance to you

2. Tell me, why did you leave our town of Brousse?
It used to boast to all of Egypt

3. And suns shone from your features
Yet after you it returned an old crone

4. Whereas with you it appeared a bride
And I knew it thronged with visitors

5. But after you it became empty, desolate
You were a generous rain for us there

6. A shelter, warding off harm and misery
And with you, time was all smiles for us

7. But with losing you, it turned sullen
With whom can I replace you, I'd give my soul

8. When you were near, I was joyful and warm