1. أَيُّها اللماع يَمشي مسرعا

    حامِلا صندوقه بين يديه

    O shoe-shiner who walks in haste,

    carrying his box between his hands,

  2. طالبا من خائِن نعلا وَمن

    ظالم تطليه منكبا عليه

    seeking a shoe from a traitor, and from

    an oppressor, to polish it while bending over it.

  3. احفظ الحقة واحفظ ما بها

    ان وجه القوم محتاج اليه

    Keep the little pot, and keep what it holds;

    for the face of the people needs it.