هيَit is الرّيحُthe wind قدindeed هبّتhas blown منfrom الغَربِthe West صَرصَراfiercely howling
هيَ الرّيحُ قد هبّت من الغَربِ صَرصَرا
تلبّدُheaps densely فيin جوِّthe sky of الشآمِSyria الكَنَهوراtowering clouds
تلبّدُ في جوِّ الشآمِ الكَنَهورا
It is the wind, blowing fiercely from the West,
The wind blew wild from the west,
Heaping towering clouds in Syria's sky.
Storms brewing in Syria's vest,
تربَدُّgrow dusky حتىuntil احمرَّturned red واسودَّand turned black فَوقهاabove her
تربَدُّ حتى احمرَّ واسودَّ فَوقها
فأمطَرهاthen rained upon her الشؤبوبُthe downpour أسودَblack أحمراred
فأمطَرها الشؤبوبُ أسودَ أحمرا
They darken until all above her turns red and black,
Clouding the skies in its unrest,
And the downpour rains upon her, black and red.
Till blackened rain poured a bloody test.
فماso not وقتِprotected الآطامُthe fortresses حلساًa stalwart warrior دلهمَساًlionhearted
فما وقتِ الآطامُ حلساً دلهمَساً
ولاnor حَمتِsheltered الآجامُthe thickets ليثاًa lion غضَنفراmighty
ولا حَمتِ الآجامُ ليثاً غضَنفرا
No fortresses protected a stalwart, lionhearted warrior,
No tents stood fast in its duress,
Nor did the thickets shelter a mighty lion.
No lions could its blows repress.
رَعىmay guard اللهُGod أرضاًa land أصبَحتthat became بعدَafter نَضرِهاits flourishing
رَعى اللهُ أرضاً أصبَحت بعدَ نَضرِها
سُجوناًprisons وأرماساًand graves لِشعبٍfor a people تبذَّراscattered abroad
سُجوناً وأرماساً لِشعبٍ تبذَّرا
May God guard a land that, after its flourishing, became
God blessed a land after its fecundity,
Prisons and graves for a people scattered abroad.
Now riddled with prisons for its people's digress.
حلاحِلُهاher chief المحشودُwith his mustered host فرَّfled وقَبلَهُand before him
حلاحِلُها المحشودُ فرَّ وقَبلَهُ
حمارِسُهاher champion المقدامُthe daring خرَّfell مُقَطّراstruck down
حمارِسُها المقدامُ خرَّ مُقَطّرا
Her chief, with his mustered host, fled; before him,
Its horses fled leaving awful mess,
Her valiant champion had fallen, struck down.
Its guardians fell in failure's egress.
لقدindeed جلَّgrew immense رِزءُthe calamity of المُسلمينَthe Muslims برزئهاthrough her calamity
لقد جلَّ رِزءُ المُسلمينَ برزئها
وقدand indeed حلَّbefell ماwhat شقَّtore الصّدُورَthe breasts وأوغراand filled with rancor
وقد حلَّ ما شقَّ الصّدُورَ وأوغرا
The Muslims' calamity grew immense through hers;
For Muslims, oh what shameful regress!
There befell what tore their breasts and filled them with rancor.
Faith fades where ignorance lays its dress.
يرونَthey see مُراديthe hooves of الخيلَthe horses تدعَقُtrampling تُربةًsoil
يرونَ مُرادي الخيلَ تدعَقُ تُربةً
عليهاupon it أميرُthe Commander of المؤمنينَthe Faithful تخفّراsought protection
عليها أميرُ المؤمنينَ تخفّرا
They see the horses' hooves trampling soil
Oh abasement of Islam, rule and piety!
Where the Commander of the Faithful had sought protection.
Jackals trample with impunity.
ولوand had حَدَستbeen crushed أجفانُهمtheir eyelids وقُلوبُهمand their hearts
ولو حَدَست أجفانُهم وقُلوبُهم
لكانَit would have been وربِّby the Lord of الكعبةِthe Kaaba الحدسُthe crushing أيسراeasier
لكانَ وربِّ الكعبةِ الحدسُ أيسرا
Had their eyelids and their hearts been crushed,
How can a Muslim live in serenity
By the Lord of the Kaaba, that crushing would have been easier.
When Faith from Syria flees obscurity?
وهانَand became easy عَليهمfor them أنto يموتواdie فلاand not يَرَواsee
وهانَ عَليهم أن يموتوا فلا يَرَوا
أُفولَthe eclipse of الهُدىguidance حَيثُwhere الحِجابُthe veil تسرّراlay concealed
أُفولَ الهُدى حَيثُ الحِجابُ تسرّرا
Death would have been easier for them than seeing
From river Indus to the Nile its loss rings clear,
The eclipse of guidance where the veil lay concealed.
From the Caspian to the Red Sea its absence breeds fear.
فياalas for ذلّةَthe humiliation of الإسلامِIslam والمُلكِand sovereignty والتُّقىand piety
فيا ذلّةَ الإسلامِ والمُلكِ والتُّقى
وقدwhen indeed وطِئhave trodden الأعلاجُthe foreign brutes خزّاًsilk ومرمراand marble
وقد وطِئ الأعلاجُ خزّاً ومرمرا
Alas for the humiliation of Islam, sovereignty, and piety,
Gardens wither, streams run dry,
When foreign brutes have trodden silk and marble!
No houris or youths shall taste heaven's supply.
وكيفَand how يطيبُcan be pleasant العَيشُlife للمُسلمِfor the Muslim الذيwho
وكيفَ يطيبُ العَيشُ للمُسلمِ الذي
يَرَىsees الدينَreligion عنfrom أرضِthe land of الشآمSyria مُقَهقراdriven backward
يَرَى الدينَ عن أرضِ الشآم مُقَهقرا
How can life be pleasant for the Muslim who
Graves were disturbed, relics went awry,
Sees religion driven backward from Syria's land?
As if all bones and swords did terrify.
فمِنso from نهرِthe River هُندوسٍIndus إلىto النّيلِthe Nile نَعيُهاnews of her death
فمِن نهرِ هُندوسٍ إلى النّيلِ نَعيُها
ومنand from بحرِthe Sea of قزوينٍCaspian إلىto بحرِthe Sea of مرمراMarmara
ومن بحرِ قزوينٍ إلى بحرِ مرمرا
From the Indus River to the Nile comes news of her death,
Romans conspire to dissect its integrity,
And from the Caspian Sea to the Sea of Marmara.
While Mecca's seers make no solidarity.
لهat it جَفَّتِdried up الجنَاتُthe gardens إذwhen بضَّflowed ماؤهاtheir water
له جَفَّتِ الجنَاتُ إذ بضَّ ماؤها
فماso not الحُورُthe heavenly maidens والولدانand the youths يُسقَونَare given to drink كوثراKawthar
فما الحُورُ والولدان يُسقَونَ كوثرا
At that news the gardens dried, though their waters had flowed;
Woe to the passive populace that cowers!
Neither heavenly maidens nor youths are given Kawthar to drink.
Venerating oppressors, despots it empowers.
وزَحزَحَتِand shook القَبرَthe grave الشّريفَthe noble خُطُوبُهاher calamities
وزَحزَحَتِ القَبرَ الشّريفَ خُطُوبُها
وزَعزَعتِand rocked البَيتَthe House العَتيقَthe Ancient المُستَّراthe veiled
وزَعزَعتِ البَيتَ العَتيقَ المُستَّرا
Her calamities shook the noble grave
No, this nation can be bought and sold,
And rocked the veiled Ancient House.
It kneels and serves if mastered and controlled.
فأيُّso what عِظامٍbones فيin الثّرىthe earth ماnot تَقلقَلتtrembled
فأيُّ عِظامٍ في الثّرى ما تَقلقَلت
وأيُّand what حسامٍsword فوقَهُabove it ماnot تَكسَّراbroke
وأيُّ حسامٍ فوقَهُ ما تَكسَّرا
What bones beneath the earth did not tremble?
It jailed the devout and levied the honorable,
What sword above it did not break?
For keeping faith was crime unpardonable.
تباغَىcontended عُلوجُthe foreign brutes of الرّومِRome يَبغونَseeking قِسمَةًa partition
تباغَى عُلوجُ الرّومِ يَبغونَ قِسمَةً
لأرضٍof a land عروبٍArab أنكَرتهمthat rejected them تَبرُّراpiously
لأرضٍ عروبٍ أنكَرتهم تَبرُّرا
The foreign brutes of Rome contend, seeking a partition
It mocks the virtuous and the wise,
Of an Arab land that piously rejected them.
Scorns those who won't serve and economize.
وماyet not بكَّةُBakkah العُطمىthe mighty تَبكُّcrushes رِقابهمtheir necks
وما بكَّةُ العُطمى تَبكُّ رِقابهم
ولاnor مُضَرٌMudar تدعوsummons إلىto الشامSyria حِميراHimyar
ولا مُضَرٌ تدعو إلى الشام حِميرا
Yet mighty Bakkah does not crush their necks,
But the righteous remain its sole expertise,
Nor does Mudar summon Himyar to Syria.
The best of souls when evil seized supremacy.
فتعساًso wretchedness لشَعبٍupon a people خاملٍinert مُتَملّقٍfawning
فتعساً لشَعبٍ خاملٍ مُتَملّقٍ
يؤلّهwho deify عِلجاًa foreign brute ظالماًunjust مُتَجبِّراdomineering
يؤلّه عِلجاً ظالماً مُتَجبِّرا
Wretchedness upon an inert, fawning people
Its men in Syria became effeminate,
Who deify an unjust, domineering foreign brute!
While elsewhere women took the masculine trait.
وسَحقاًand destruction لأرضِupon a land عَفَّرَتthat rubbed in dust هامَthe heads of أهلِهاits people
وسَحقاً لأرضِ عَفَّرَت هامَ أهلِها
إذاwhen حلَّsettles فيهاwithin it ثعلبٌa fox صارhe becomes داغراa marauder
إذا حلَّ فيها ثعلبٌ صار داغرا
And destruction upon a land that rubbed its people's heads in dust:
Its masters are slaves, behind Western dictates,
When a fox settles there, he becomes a marauder.
And French tyrants became its puppet delegates.
فماso not شَعبُهاits people شعبٌa people ولاnor هيَis it موطنٌa homeland
فما شَعبُها شعبٌ ولا هيَ موطنٌ
وقدwhen indeed قيلَit was said للعاويto the howler هُنالِكَthere زمجراgrowl
وقد قيلَ للعاوي هُنالِكَ زمجرا
Its people are no people, nor is it a homeland,
Reveling freely, desecrating its states,
When the howler there is told to growl.
Permitting the unlawful, forbidding what resonates.
إِلامَhow long يُضامُare oppressed النّابهونَthe distinguished بأمةٍamong a nation
إِلامَ يُضامُ النّابهونَ بأمةٍ
تُطبِّلُthat beats drums إنif جاءَarrives الغَريبُthe stranger مُزَمِّراpiping
تُطبِّلُ إن جاءَ الغَريبُ مُزَمِّرا
How long shall the distinguished be oppressed among a nation
With cruelty and greed his reign dominates,
That beats its drums when a stranger arrives piping?
Though cloaked in guise - his heart calcifies.
جنازَتُهاits funeral عرسٌa wedding وتَعذيبهاand its torture دَدٌan amusement
جنازَتُها عرسٌ وتَعذيبها دَدٌ
فقُلso say أُمَّةٌa nation هَذيthis تُباعُis sold وتُشترىand bought
فقُل أُمَّةٌ هَذي تُباعُ وتُشترى
Its funeral is a wedding, its torture an amusement;
Not seeking reform, but control that devastates,
Say, then: this is a nation bought and sold.
Spreading terror, discord he propagates.
وأحرارُهاand its free men أعداؤهاits enemies وهيَand it is عَبدَةٌa slave
وأحرارُها أعداؤها وهيَ عَبدَةٌ
لئنif indeed أبقَتit escapes منfrom سَيِّدٍa master تَلقَit meets آخراanother
لئن أبقَت من سَيِّدٍ تَلقَ آخرا
Its free men are its enemies, and it is a slave;
Fearing unity that shakes his fragile fate,
If it escapes one master, it meets another.
He divides, incites and segregates.
لقدindeed جَرَّمتit condemned أتقىthe most devout بَنيهاof its sons وغَرَّمَتand fined
لقد جَرَّمت أتقى بَنيها وغَرَّمَت
كِراماًnoble men بهمthem حِفظُkeeping الأمانةِfaith غرّراimperiled
كِراماً بهم حِفظُ الأمانةِ غرّرا
It has condemned its most devout sons and fined
When disarray makes easy prey to subjugate,
Noble men whom keeping faith exposed to peril.
He rouses them to war and decimate.
ألستَdo you not تراهاsee it تشتمُreviling الفَضلَvirtue والنُّهىand reason
ألستَ تراها تشتمُ الفَضلَ والنُّهى
وتسخرُand mocking ممَّنwhoever لاdoes not يَعيشُlive مسَخّراenslaved
وتسخرُ ممَّن لا يَعيشُ مسَخّرا
Do you not see it reviling virtue and reason,
This beast has savage, brutal appetites,
And mocking whoever does not live enslaved?
A crusader's heart, though it masquerades.
ولكنbut لهاfor it بالطَّيبينَthrough the good شَفَاعةٌis intercession
ولكن لها بالطَّيبينَ شَفَاعةٌ
فَهُمfor they are خيرُthe best أبدالٍsubstitutes لخيرٍfor goodness تأخراthat lagged behind
فَهُم خيرُ أبدالٍ لخيرٍ تأخرا
Yet the good among it intercede on its behalf;
Let Marrakesh recall the carnage that he perpetrates,
They are the best substitutes for goodness that has lagged behind.
Skies screamed, stars shook, cities devastates.
تأنّثَgrew womanish فيin أرضِthe land of الشآمِSyria رِجالُهاher men
تأنّثَ في أرضِ الشآمِ رِجالُها
وفيwhile in غَيرهاelsewhere الأُنثىthe woman تَسلُّdraws المُذكّراthe tempered sword
وفي غَيرها الأُنثى تَسلُّ المُذكّرا
In Syria's land her men have grown womanish,
Torching, pillaging - a slaughter he creates,
While elsewhere women draw the tempered blade.
Annihilating without remorse, no boundary dictates.
وأسيادُهاand her masters زربيَّةٌa flock خَلفَbehind دائصٍa fool
وأسيادُها زربيَّةٌ خَلفَ دائصٍ
وطاغيةُand the tyrant of الإفرنجِthe Franks صارَbecame المؤمَّراthe commander
وطاغيةُ الإفرنجِ صارَ المؤمَّرا
Her masters are a flock behind a fool,
In Maghreb and Sham alike came cries of fates,
And the tyrant of the Franks has become commander.
The dead in their graves convulsed to reciprocates.
مَشىhe walked مَرِحاًexultantly فيهاwithin her يُصعّرُturning arrogantly خَدَّهُhis cheek
مَشى مَرِحاً فيها يُصعّرُ خَدَّهُ
فأنكرَso he rejected تحليلاًlawfulness وحَلّلَand made lawful مُنكراevil
فأنكرَ تحليلاً وحَلّلَ مُنكرا
He walked there exultantly, turning his cheek in pride;
As if misfortune whet his taste to desecrates,
He rejected what was lawful and made evil lawful.
Leashing him onto Muslims as their darkest nemesis of awaits.
وماand not انفكّceased بينَbetween الرّفقِgentleness والعنفِand violence مُدغِلاًscheming
وما انفكّ بينَ الرّفقِ والعنفِ مُدغِلاً
يُعبِّئُmustering للأحرارِagainst the free زنجاًZanj وبربراand Berbers
يُعبِّئُ للأحرارِ زنجاً وبربرا
He never ceased scheming between gentleness and violence,
In Syria, endless tyrants have dominated,
Mustering Zanj and Berbers against the free.
But none have been so cruel and callous in their reign of hates.
وخافَand he feared مِنَamong القومِthe people اتحاداًunity وقوّةًand strength
وخافَ مِنَ القومِ اتحاداً وقوّةً
فَغرَّso he deceived وأغرىand incited واستَجاشَand raised troops وسوّراand fortified
فَغرَّ وأغرى واستَجاشَ وسوّرا
He feared unity and strength among the people,
With troops made savage in their devastates,
So he deceived, incited, raised troops, and fortified.
The weakest nation he dominates.
ولمّاand when رآهمhe saw them فيin التَّقاطعِmutual estrangement حَضَّهمhe encouraged them
ولمّا رآهم في التَّقاطعِ حَضَّهم
ولمّاand when رآهمhe saw them فيin التّقاعُسِlanguor شمّراhe girded himself
ولمّا رآهم في التّقاعُسِ شمّرا
When he saw them divided, he encouraged them;
Amongst his Ottoman kin, cliques of reprobates -
When he saw them languishing, he girded himself for action.
Patience with their reign of greed we tolerate,
لهُhe has شهوةٌan appetite وحشيَّةٌsavage وضريبةٌand a disposition
لهُ شهوةٌ وحشيَّةٌ وضريبةٌ
صليبيّةٌcrusading لكِنَّهُbut he قدindeed تَستَّراconcealed himself
صليبيّةٌ لكِنَّهُ قد تَستَّرا
He has a savage appetite and a disposition
To gather strength and rise above their fallen states.
Of a crusader, but he has concealed himself.
Often darkness brings enlightened fate,
فماhow كانhe was أبغاهُtyrannical عُتِلَّاًbrutal مشرّزاًvicious
فما كان أبغاهُ عُتِلَّاً مشرّزاً
بلحظٍwith a gaze فرنديٍّsword-bright وقلبٍand a heart تحجَّراturned to stone
بلحظٍ فرنديٍّ وقلبٍ تحجَّرا
How tyrannical he was, brutal and vicious,
For those who heed the signs and contemplate.
With a sword-bright gaze and a heart turned to stone!
A tyrant dares to subjugate a nation,
لقدindeed شهدَتwitnessed مرّاكِشُMarrakesh الفتَكةَthe slaughter التيwhich
لقد شهدَت مرّاكِشُ الفتَكةَ التي
لهاat which ضَجَّتِcried out الأملاكُthe angels والنَّجمand the star غوَّراsank away
لها ضَجَّتِ الأملاكُ والنَّجم غوَّرا
Marrakesh witnessed the slaughter at which
Exhausting it until it kneels in desolation.
The angels cried out and the star sank away.
It saw in him oppression's combination,
فحَرَّقَso he burned مُجتاحاًas an invader وغرَّمَand exacted fines ناهِباًas a plunderer
فحَرَّقَ مُجتاحاً وغرَّمَ ناهِباً
وقتَّلَand massacred سفّاحاًas a butcher وعاثَand ravaged ودمّراand destroyed
وقتَّلَ سفّاحاً وعاثَ ودمّرا
He burned as an invader and exacted fines as a plunderer;
Preferred death to witness such indignation.
He massacred as a butcher, ravaged, and destroyed.
With an army he came to devour,
ففيso in المغربِthe Maghreb الأقصىthe farthest وفيand in الشّامSyria صَيحَةa cry
ففي المغربِ الأقصى وفي الشّام صَيحَة
يُردِّدُهاechoed by ماwhat فيin القُبورِthe graves تَبَعثراlay scattered
يُردِّدُها ما في القُبورِ تَبَعثرا
In the far Maghreb and in Syria rises a cry
Laying Syria barren, an open tomb.
Echoed by the scattered remains within the graves.
Mobilizing forces, heavily armed for war,
كأنّas though حُظوظَthe fortunes of المُسلمينَthe Muslims لِتعسِهمto their misery
كأنّ حُظوظَ المُسلمينَ لِتعسِهم
أعدَّتهُprepared him جلّاداًas an executioner لهمfor them ومُسَيطراand an overlord
أعدَّتهُ جلّاداً لهم ومُسَيطرا
As though the Muslims' fortunes, to their misery,
Seasoned in ruin and hardship they endure.
Had prepared him as their executioner and overlord.
While our preparation was significantly poor,
توالتsucceeded one another علىupon أرضِthe land of الشآمِSyria وُلاتُهاher governors
توالت على أرضِ الشآمِ وُلاتُها
فماbut not حَمَلتshe bore أدهىmore cunning وأقسىand crueler وأختراand more treacherous
فما حَمَلت أدهى وأقسى وأخترا
Governors succeeded one another upon Syria's land,
And our numbers dwarfed by legions in sure.
But she bore none more cunning, cruel, or treacherous.
What hope from ill-equipped and volunteer corps?
بَدَتappeared منهُfrom him فيهاwithin her قسوةٌa cruelty همَجيةٌbarbarous
بَدَت منهُ فيها قسوةٌ همَجيةٌ
فنَفّرso he frightened away ذُهلولاًa wolf وسيداًand a wolf وقَسوَراand a lion
فنَفّر ذُهلولاً وسيداً وقَسوَرا
A barbarous cruelty appeared from him within her,
Against multitudes of enemies they lure.
Driving wolf upon wolf and lion to flight.
A giant facing ants - numbers obscure
بأفتكِwith the deadliest جُندٍtroops راعَhe terrified أضعفَthe weakest أُمّةٍnation
بأفتكِ جُندٍ راعَ أضعفَ أُمّةٍ
فماso not كانhe was إِلاexcept أزرَقَblue العينِof eye أبتراtailless
فما كان إِلا أزرَقَ العينِ أبترا
With the deadliest troops he terrified the weakest nation;
The courage that swells in each fighter's core.
He was nothing but a blue-eyed, tailless wretch.
The supreme commander, champion of Arab war
ومنand from قومهِhis people الصُّهبِred العَثانينِof beard زُمرَةٌa band
ومن قومهِ الصُّهبِ العَثانينِ زُمرَةٌ
حواليهِaround him كانتwere منهُthan him أطغىmore tyrannical وأفجراand more wicked
حواليهِ كانت منهُ أطغى وأفجرا
A band of his red-bearded countrymen
In whom all troops their steadfast pillar saw.
Around him were more tyrannical and wicked than he.
But his rule was raw, finances unsure,
مَلاحِدُheretics سِكّيرونَdrunkards للمالِfor money سَعيُهمtheir pursuit
مَلاحِدُ سِكّيرونَ للمالِ سَعيُهم
لهمthey have قَرَمٌa craving بالبطنِfor the belly والفَرجِand sex حيّراthat bewildered
لهم قَرَمٌ بالبطنِ والفَرجِ حيّرا
Heretics and drunkards, their pursuit is money;
Troops untested, making conditions poor.
Their craving for belly and sex bewildered all.
Still he ventured boldly, some said insecure,
فصبراًso patience علىwith استِبدادِهمtheir despotism واختيالِهمand their swagger
فصبراً على استِبدادِهم واختيالِهم
لنأخُذَso we may learn عنهمfrom them ثمthen نُصبحbecome أقدَراmore capable
لنأخُذَ عنهم ثم نُصبح أقدَرا
Patience, then, with their despotism and swagger,
Gambling all, though prospects seemed obscure.
So we may learn from them, then become more capable.
Valiant instincts gave him bravado's lure -
ألاindeed رُبَّmany an شّرٍevil كانhas been للخَيرِfor good واقعاًoccurring
ألا رُبَّ شّرٍ كان للخَيرِ واقعاً
فأحسَنَhow fine عُقبىthe outcome مَنfor whoever وعىunderstood وتفكّراand reflected
فأحسَنَ عُقبى مَن وعى وتفكّرا
Indeed, many an evil has come about for good;
Death before dishonor he chose for cure.
How fine the outcome for whoever understands and reflects!
Facing legions massed, he stood calm, poised, pure,
تجرَّأَdared طاغُوتٌa tyrant علىto غَزوٍinvade أُمّةٍa nation
تجرَّأَ طاغُوتٌ على غَزوٍ أُمّةٍ
وإرهاقِهاand oppress it حتىuntil تذِلَّit becomes humiliated وتَصغُراand small
وإرهاقِها حتى تذِلَّ وتَصغُرا
A tyrant dared invade a nation
Raising Muslims' zeal for the war they endure.
And oppress it until it grew humiliated and small.
Mocking enemies with audacity demure,
رأتit saw منهُfrom him تَقتيلَthe slaughter of العواطِفِfeelings والمنىand hopes
رأت منهُ تَقتيلَ العواطِفِ والمنى
فهانَso became easy عَليهاfor it أنto تموتَdie ولاand not ترىsee
فهانَ عَليها أن تموتَ ولا ترى
It saw him slaughter its feelings and hopes,
Their hordes appeared but trickles he could endure.
And found it easier to die than to see.
Artillery pierced with cacophony mature,
برجلِwith troops of دِفاعٍdefense راعَهاhe terrified it واستَذلَّهاand subjugated it
برجلِ دِفاعٍ راعَها واستَذلَّها
فصَيَّرَso he turned أرضَthe land of الشامِSyria طرّاًentirely مُعسكَراinto a military camp
فصَيَّرَ أرضَ الشامِ طرّاً مُعسكَرا
With a defensive force he terrified and subjugated it,
Searing flesh, but none withdrew or abjure.
Turning all Syria's land into a military camp.
Their hearts steeled, arms iron against every lure,
وحَشَّدَand mustered لِلأحرارِagainst the free زحفاًa host مُضرِّساًbiting
وحَشَّدَ لِلأحرارِ زحفاً مُضرِّساً
مُضرَّىًblood-trained قدindeed اعتادَaccustomed to الفَواتِكَdeadly attacks والضّرىand savagery
مُضرَّىً قد اعتادَ الفَواتِكَ والضّرى
He mustered against the free a biting host,
Standing firm though outnumbered fraction's value sure.
Blood-trained, accustomed to deadly attacks and savagery.
Marveling at their mettle and valor mature,
وماand not حَمدَprized الإفرنجُthe Franks قلباًa heart وساعداًand an arm
وما حَمدَ الإفرنجُ قلباً وساعداً
ولكنَّهمbut they قدindeed يجمدونَpraise (likely intended) السنوَّراthe armor
ولكنَّهم قد يجمدونَ السنوَّرا
The Franks have not prized heart or arm,
Are these God's armies or lions I conjure?
But they do praise their armor.
Drenched in blood, still yearning for victory's clasp unsure,
عَليهِupon it إذاwhen اشتَدّgrows fierce القِتالُthe fighting اتِّكالهمtheir reliance
عَليهِ إذا اشتَدّ القِتالُ اتِّكالهم
ولولاهُand without it لاnot نلقىwe would meet أذَلَّmore abject وأخسَراand more defeated
ولولاهُ لا نلقى أذَلَّ وأخسَرا
On it they depend when fighting grows fierce;
Willing eternal life through moments harsh and poor.
Without it we would meet none more abject or defeated.
Alas betrayal contrived defeat's final cure,
ملأناwe filled فؤادthe heart of العِلجِthe foreign brute رُعباًwith terror وهيبةًand awe
ملأنا فؤاد العِلجِ رُعباً وهيبةً
فأحكمَso he perfected آلاتِthe engines of الدَّمارِdestruction وأكثراand multiplied
فأحكمَ آلاتِ الدَّمارِ وأكثرا
We filled the foreign brute's heart with terror and awe,
Felling the army's pillar steadfast and secure.
So he perfected and multiplied his engines of destruction.
Muslim hopes collapsed as their champion fell poor,
معدّاتُهُhis equipment كُثرٌabundant وجمٌّand immense عَديدُهُhis numbers
معدّاتُهُ كُثرٌ وجمٌّ عَديدُهُ
وإعدادُناand our preparation منthan عَدِّناour numbers كانwas أنزراscantier
وإعدادُنا من عَدِّنا كان أنزرا
His equipment is abundant, his numbers immense;
Realization dawned - they were now unsured.
Our preparation was scantier than our numbers.
Hands stretched, tears flooding wounds in their dolor,
وماذاand what يُرجَّىcan be hoped منfrom سِلاحٍweaponry مُصَرَّدmeager
وماذا يُرجَّى من سِلاحٍ مُصَرَّد
وجُندٍand troops حَماسيٍّenthusiastic تَطوّعَwho volunteered أشهراfor months
وجُندٍ حَماسيٍّ تَطوّعَ أشهرا
What can be hoped for from meager weaponry
They mourned the hero to whom they had swore.
And enthusiastic troops who volunteered for months?
Ranks wavered, broke and fled in stupor,
كبيرٌa great man علىover الجيشِthe army الصّغيرِthe small مُقدَّمٌwas placed
كبيرٌ على الجيشِ الصّغيرِ مُقدَّمٌ
أطاعَhe obeyed الهوىpassion حتىuntil رآهُhe saw it مُكَبَّراmagnified
أطاعَ الهوى حتى رآهُ مُكَبَّرا
A great man commanded the little army;
Pillar of faith, nation crumbled nearing zero hour.
He followed passion until he saw it magnified.
For his loss Syria wept in bereavement dour,
هوhe is الأعظمُthe greatest ابنُson of العَظمةِal-Azma البَطلُthe hero الذيwho
هو الأعظمُ ابنُ العَظمةِ البَطلُ الذي
أبىrefused العارَdisgrace فاختارَso chose الوقيعةَbattle مَخطراas a venture
أبى العارَ فاختارَ الوقيعةَ مَخطرا
He is the greatest, Ibn al-Azma, the hero who
As if the cosmos fell into abyssal devour.
Refused disgrace and chose battle as his venture.
Noblest of leaders from the worthiest sire,
إليهِto him تناهىrallied الضّرسُthe seasoned warrior منfrom كلِّevery مَعشرٍpeople
إليهِ تناهى الضّرسُ من كلِّ مَعشرٍ
فكانso he was بتأثيلِin building up الكتائبِthe battalions أخبراmore expert
فكان بتأثيلِ الكتائبِ أخبرا
Seasoned warriors from every people rallied to him;
None could ever hope his mantle to acquire.
He was most expert in building up battalions.
With him faded dreams of nation to empower,
ولكنَّbut مُلكاًa kingdom حادثاًnew قلَّlittle was مالهُits wealth
ولكنَّ مُلكاً حادثاً قلَّ مالهُ
وأعوانُهand its supporters قدindeed صادَفَfound الأمرَthe task أعسراmost difficult
وأعوانُه قد صادَفَ الأمرَ أعسرا
But a new kingdom, with little wealth
Left wandering, seeking glory lost in unhappy hour.
And few supporters, found the task most difficult.
Unbearable to see him in his final hour,
فأقدمَso he advanced حتىuntil قيلَit was said ليسَhe was not مُدَرَّباًtrained
فأقدمَ حتى قيلَ ليسَ مُدَرَّباً
وخاطَرَand took risks حتىuntil قيلَit was said ليسَhe was not مدبِّراprudent
وخاطَرَ حتى قيلَ ليسَ مدبِّرا
He advanced until they said he was untrained;
When he had stood tallest in splendor's tower.
He took risks until they said he lacked judgment.
Sleep untroubled in her womb your finest hour,
وإذand when تستخِفُّcarries away الأريحيّةُnoble ardor رَبَّهاits master
وإذ تستخِفُّ الأريحيّةُ رَبَّها
يَرىhe sees الموتَdeath سكراًas intoxication والمرارةَand bitterness سُكّراas sugar
يَرى الموتَ سكراً والمرارةَ سُكّرا
When noble ardor carries its master away,
For now that dust is sanctified with your valor.
He sees death as intoxication and bitterness as sugar.
Prophet's blessings and peace be your dower,
لقدindeed طوّحتهُhurled him onward نخوَةٌa proud spirit عربيَّةٌArab
لقد طوّحتهُ نخوَةٌ عربيَّةٌ
تهوَّسَhe grew frenzied منfrom هَزاتِهاits surges فتَهوّراso rushed headlong
تهوَّسَ من هَزاتِها فتَهوّرا
Arab pride indeed hurled him onward;
For you were great, but greater in death's redemptive power.
Maddened by its surges, he rushed headlong.
Your comrades fell - worthy, honored seeds that flower
وَمنand who ذاis there who يردُّturns back البحرَthe sea فيin هَيَجانهِits raging
وَمن ذا يردُّ البحرَ في هَيَجانهِ
إذاwhen اصطخَبتroar أمواجُهُits waves فتزّخراand it swells
إذا اصطخَبت أمواجُهُ فتزّخرا
Who can turn back the sea in its raging,
On battlefield's honor they lasted longer hour.
When its waves roar and it swells?
Freely giving lives and wealth that overpower,
ترَبّصhe awaited إحدىone of الحُسنَيينِthe two best outcomes تبسُّلاًbravely
ترَبّص إحدى الحُسنَيينِ تبسُّلاً
فماso not عابَهُdisgraced him ألاnot to يكونَbe المُظفَّراthe victorious
فما عابَهُ ألا يكونَ المُظفَّرا
He bravely awaited one of the two best outcomes;
Valuing dignity beyond all treasured dower.
It did not disgrace him not to be victorious.
They died men of conviction, never cower
وأيقَنَand he knew أنthat النصرَvictory فيwas on جنبthe side of خصمِهِhis opponent
وأيقَنَ أن النصرَ في جنب خصمِهِ
ولكنbut رأىhe deemed حظَّthe lot of الشَّهيدينَthe two martyrs أفخراmore glorious
ولكن رأى حظَّ الشَّهيدينَ أفخرا
He knew victory lay on his opponent's side,
Their witness impacted far beyond that gory hour.
But deemed the two martyrs' lot more glorious.
Paradise never hosted souls more pristine or tower,
علىfor أشرَفِthe noblest الميتاتِdeaths وطَّنَhe prepared نفسهُhis soul
على أشرَفِ الميتاتِ وطَّنَ نفسهُ
فشدّso he charged لِكيin order to يلقىmeet الرّدىdeath لاnot لِيُنصَراto be victorious
فشدّ لِكي يلقى الرّدى لا لِيُنصَرا
He prepared his soul for the noblest death
By their sacrifice, Syria offered her perfect flower.
And charged to meet destruction, not to win.
Each martyr's wounds shall weep pure honeyed shower
ونادىand called بأعلىat the highest الصّوتvoice يدعوsummoning إِلىto الوفىfidelity
ونادى بأعلى الصّوت يدعو إِلى الوفى
وحاوَلَand tried أنto يهديguide الخليطَthe multitude المُبعثراthe scattered
وحاوَلَ أن يهدي الخليطَ المُبعثرا
He called at the top of his voice, summoning to fidelity,
When we gather on Judgment's decisive hour.
And tried to guide the scattered multitude.
Bathed in their holy blood, gardens will empower
وماand not ذاكَthat إِلاexcept منfrom إباءٍproud refusal ونخوةٍand noble spirit
وما ذاكَ إِلا من إباءٍ ونخوةٍ
يزيدانِboth increase نفسَthe soul of المُستميتِone resolved to die تكبُّراin pride
يزيدانِ نفسَ المُستميتِ تكبُّرا
That sprang only from proud refusal and noble spirit,
Saffron and fragrance where sweet waters empower.
Which heighten the pride of one resolved to die.
Greetings to heroes whose blood shall overpower
إذاwhen الحرُّthe free man ألفىfinds بالحياةِin life مَذلَّةًhumiliation
إذا الحرُّ ألفى بالحياةِ مَذلَّةً
يَكرُّhe charges إِلىto حيثُwhere المنيّةُdeath تُزدَرىis scorned
يَكرُّ إِلى حيثُ المنيّةُ تُزدَرى
When a free man finds humiliation in life,
Reviving a nation broken in its darkest hour.
He charges where death itself is held in scorn.
Truly the living are dead, while death raised those who cower
خميسُthe army of العدىthe enemy أربىsurpassed عديداًin numbers وعدَّةًand equipment
خميسُ العدى أربى عديداً وعدَّةً
فماso not هابَهُhe feared it بَلrather كانhe was لِلحَربِfor war مُسعِراa kindler
فما هابَهُ بَل كان لِلحَربِ مُسعِرا
The enemy's army surpassed his in numbers and equipment;
To immortality - such is the martyr's dower.
He did not fear it, but kindled war.
They watered your grave like you watered the free flower
ولوand had عادلَhe equaled الأعداءَthe enemies جُنداًin troops وأهبةًand preparation
ولو عادلَ الأعداءَ جُنداً وأهبةً
لنثَّرَhe would have scattered إِكليلَthe crown of السّماءِheaven وضَفَّراand braided
لنثَّرَ إِكليلَ السّماءِ وضَفَّرا
Had he equaled his enemies in troops and preparation,
With purest blood where tyranny poisoned and devoured.
He would have scattered and braided heaven's crown.
Precious life departs when blood spills its crimson shower,
فقادَso he led بريماًa mingled band منof رِجالٍmen أعِزَّةٍproud
فقادَ بريماً من رِجالٍ أعِزَّةٍ
ليلقىto meet خميساًan army قارِحاًseasoned مُتجَمِّراclosely gathered
ليلقى خميساً قارِحاً مُتجَمِّرا
He led a mingled band of proud men
But you die a hero, as they die now braver, prouder.
To meet a seasoned, closely gathered army.
Their blood nurtures freedom's roots to flourish taller, tower,
تواصواthey urged one another علىto حربِfight العِدىthe enemy وتحاشدواand rallied together
تواصوا على حربِ العِدى وتحاشدوا
مَذاويدdefenders يلقونَmeeting المدافعَthe cannons حُسَّراunarmored
مَذاويد يلقونَ المدافعَ حُسَّرا
They urged one another to fight the foe and rallied together,
As rivers must flood for trees to fruit and flower.
Defenders meeting the cannons without armor.
No rights blossom unless blood is freely poured,
عروبَتُهمtheir Arab spirit قدindeed أعربتspoke عنfor نُفوسهمtheir souls
عروبَتُهم قد أعربت عن نُفوسهم
فكانتso it was منthan الإبريزِrefined gold أصفىpurer وأبهراand brighter
فكانت من الإبريزِ أصفى وأبهرا
Their Arab spirit spoke for their souls;
From hearts spilling out what must be honored.
It was purer and brighter than refined gold.
A flag that ruled appearing firmly anchored is no more,
لقدindeed حقرتit scorned فيin ضُعِفهاits weakness كلَّevery باذخٍhaughty power
لقد حقرت في ضُعِفها كلَّ باذخٍ
كماas استصغرتit belittled فيin البأسbattle كِسرىKisra وقيصراand Caesar
كما استصغرت في البأس كِسرى وقيصرا
In its weakness it scorned every haughty power,
But never leaving hearts that saw it sanctified in their blood's pour.
As in battle it had belittled Kisra and Caesar.
Raised aloft by the free, then by tyrants torn and tore,
فلمso not تحمِلِhas borne الغَبراءُthe dust-gray earth أصدقَtruer همَّةًin resolve
فلم تحمِلِ الغَبراءُ أصدقَ همَّةً
وأثبَتَand steadier إقداماًin courage وأطيبَand nobler عُنصُراin stock
وأثبَتَ إقداماً وأطيبَ عُنصُرا
The dust-gray earth has borne none truer in resolve,
But shredded to greater glory than before.
Steadier in courage, or nobler in stock.
Their desecration made it holier than seen prior,
لهمagainst them جهّزَequipped الجبّارُthe tyrant جيشاًan army عرَمرماًvast
لهم جهّزَ الجبّارُ جيشاً عرَمرماً
فلمso not يشهدِhad witnessed الألمانُthe Germans أقوىstronger وأكثراand more numerous
فلم يشهدِ الألمانُ أقوى وأكثرا
Against them the tyrant equipped a vast army;
Loved beyond, exalted higher and higher.
The Germans had witnessed none stronger or more numerous.
It lives in hearts and souls, not1973 a brief flyer,
ولكنَّbut أبناءَthe sons of القُرومِnoble chiefs تبذّلواfreely offered themselves
ولكنَّ أبناءَ القُرومِ تبذّلوا
لِموتِfor a death شريفٍhonorable كانthat was بالحرِّfor the free man أجدَراmore fitting
لِموتِ شريفٍ كان بالحرِّ أجدَرا
But the sons of noble chiefs freely offered themselves
Guiding the lost, banishing gloom entire.
For an honorable death, more fitting for a free man.
Martyrs with crimson tide made it flush bonfire,
فكانso there was لهمfor them بالقائدِin the commander الشّهمِthe gallant إسوةًan example
فكان لهم بالقائدِ الشّهمِ إسوةً
وكانand he was المُرجَّىthe relied-upon للشؤونِin affairs المصدّراthe foremost
وكان المُرجَّى للشؤونِ المصدّرا
They had an example in their gallant commander;
Decorating with jewels what was funereal pyre.
He was their hope, foremost in great affairs.
Just a dream arising in death not entire,
علىupon الهضبةِthe hill الشّماءِthe lofty كانwas وقوفُهُhis standing
على الهضبةِ الشّماءِ كان وقوفُهُ
يُباصِرُobserving أجنادَthe troops of العِدىthe enemy مُتبصِّراdiscerningly
يُباصِرُ أجنادَ العِدى مُتبصِّرا
He stood upon the lofty hill,
Mocking the grave, welcoming fate over cower.
Observing the enemy's troops with discerning eyes.
Greetings to the banner pure that did inspire,
فعرَّضَso he exposed للأخطارِto dangers نفساًa soul عزيزةًprecious
فعرَّضَ للأخطارِ نفساً عزيزةً
ومُرتبةًand a rank منthan أنthat يخاطِرَhe should risk أخطراmore perilous
ومُرتبةً من أن يخاطِرَ أخطرا
He exposed a precious soul to danger,
Bathed in the free's blood, now sanctified attire.
And a rank whose risking was more perilous still.
Let it fly unhindered, with hope to respire,
وعانقَand embraced بنتَthe daughter of المجدِglory واستقبلَand faced الرَّدىdeath
وعانقَ بنتَ المجدِ واستقبلَ الرَّدى
أمامَbefore السَّراياthe companies صابراًsteadfast ومُصبِّراand giving courage
أمامَ السَّرايا صابراً ومُصبِّرا
He embraced glory's daughter and faced death
Tyranny cannot stamp out its crimson fire.
Before the companies, steadfast and giving them courage.
We shall live as we die, its honor our cause entire,
أطلَّhe appeared علىbefore أعدائهِhis enemies مُتهلِّلاًradiant
أطلَّ على أعدائهِ مُتهلِّلاً
فهلَّلَso proclaimed God's oneness جيشُthe army of المؤمنينَthe believers وكبَّراand proclaimed God's greatness
فهلَّلَ جيشُ المؤمنينَ وكبَّرا
He appeared before his enemies, radiant;
Foes cannot comprehend its purpose and desire.
The believers' army proclaimed God's oneness and greatness.
We recall the day when truth was writ in bloody scripture
وأكبرَand admired جيشُthe army of المعتدينَthe aggressors اقتحامَهُhis charge
وأكبرَ جيشُ المعتدينَ اقتحامَهُ
فقالَso it said أهذاis this السّيلُthe torrent يصدعُthat splits أنهراrivers
فقالَ أهذا السّيلُ يصدعُ أنهرا
The aggressors' army marveled at his charge
Etching embers into hearts that shall forever smoulder.
And said: is this a torrent splitting rivers apart?
We nurse simmering rage but with restraint endure,
ترادواthey exchanged missiles بآلاتِwith engines of الرّدىdeath وتراشقواand shot at one another
ترادوا بآلاتِ الرّدى وتراشقوا
ونارُand the fire of الوغىbattle منهاfrom them جحيمٌa hell تسعَّراblazed
ونارُ الوغى منها جحيمٌ تسعَّرا
They exchanged missiles of death and shot at one another;
Vowing silently, though tongues cannot erase or blur.
The fire of battle became a blazing hell.
For vengeance, breasts tightened beyond tolerance pure
فطَبَّقتso it filled الآفاقَthe horizons لمّاwhen تبَهنَستit strode lionlike
فطَبَّقت الآفاقَ لمّا تبَهنَست
وأنفاسُهاand its breaths كانتwere دُخاناًsmoke وعِثيراand dust
وأنفاسُها كانت دُخاناً وعِثيرا
It filled the horizons as it strode lionlike;
Memory stokes embers hoping now to fanned fury's lure.
Its breaths were smoke and dust.
We shall strike them as they struck without mercy or cure
تداعتshook جبالُthe mountains of الشّامِSyria منfrom صعقاتِهاits thunderclaps
تداعت جبالُ الشّامِ من صعقاتِها
وهزَّand rocked صداهاits echo أرضَthe land of بصرىBusra ودُمّراand Dummar
وهزَّ صداها أرضَ بصرى ودُمّرا
Syria's mountains shook at its thunderclaps;
Shower them in fire and sparks that no flesh shall inure.
Its echo rocked the lands of Busra and Dummar.
In annihilation, no mercy can we ensure,
لِصوقعةِat the crash of الجلّىthe great battle صواعِقٌthunderbolts جَلّلتshrouded
لِصوقعةِ الجلّى صواعِقٌ جَلّلت
لهاbecause of it الفلكthe firmament الأعلىthe highest دَجاdarkened وتقوَّراand gaped
لها الفلك الأعلى دَجا وتقوَّرا
Thunderbolts shrouded all at the great battle's crash;
They who massacred shall be massacred for sure.
The highest firmament darkened and gaped.
Revenge fills our hearts, that cannot be immured,
فكانتso it was جحيماًa hell منof أبالِسةٍdevils أتواwho came
فكانت جحيماً من أبالِسةٍ أتوا
يبيعونَselling وسطَamid النّارِthe fire فحشاًobscenity ومُسكراand intoxicants
يبيعونَ وسطَ النّارِ فحشاً ومُسكرا
It was a hell of devils who had come
Our boiling blood demands what fate has assured.
Selling obscenity and intoxicants amid the fire.
Oh you who still threaten, your time is obscured!
فكمhow many ثمَّthere مِنof دبّابةٍa tank دكَّتِbattered الرُّبىthe hills
فكم ثمَّ مِن دبّابةٍ دكَّتِ الرُّبى
وطيّارَةٍand a plane شعلولهاwhose blaze دكدَكَshattered البرىthe earth
وطيّارَةٍ شعلولها دكدَكَ البرى
How many tanks there battered the hills,
Steel yourselves for Arab might's eruption assured.
And planes whose blazing fire shattered the earth!
Our souls endured the intolerable obscurred,
فلمso not يرهبِfeared الأبطالُthe heroes تحتَbeneath لِوائهمtheir banner
فلم يرهبِ الأبطالُ تحتَ لِوائهم
براقيلَgreat birds بالسّجيلِwith baked clay ترميhurling مُدَردراrolling pellets
براقيلَ بالسّجيلِ ترمي مُدَردرا
Yet the heroes beneath their banner did not fear
Patience expired - reprieve cannot be assured.
Great birds hurling rolling pellets of baked clay.
In hearts we etched our pacts that shall endure,
جلاميدَboulders كانواthey were بالجلاميدِto boulders أُلصِقتfastened
جلاميدَ كانوا بالجلاميدِ أُلصِقت
فماso not زَحزَحتهمmoved them مطرةُthe rain of النّارِfire مشبراa handspan
فما زَحزَحتهم مطرةُ النّارِ مشبرا
They were boulders fastened to boulders;
Time cannot erase their imprinted contour.
The rain of fire did not move them a handspan.
Mothers, sisters, wives, daughters did endure,
سواعِدُهمtheir arms صفريَّةٌbrass وصدورُهمand their breasts
سواعِدُهم صفريَّةٌ وصدورُهم
حديديَّةٌiron تزريput to shame الحدِيدَthe iron المُزَبَّراthe forged
حديديَّةٌ تزري الحدِيدَ المُزَبَّرا
Their arms were brass, and their breasts
Disfigured by tyranny that no God could cure.
Iron, putting forged iron to shame.
Their sacrifice our greatest victory for sure
لقدindeed ثبتواthey stood firm حُمساًfierce وكلُّand every مُجاهِدٍfighter
لقد ثبتوا حُمساً وكلُّ مُجاهِدٍ
لِعشرةِagainst ten أعلاجٍforeign brutes فأبلىfought nobly وأعذَراand did all possible
لِعشرةِ أعلاجٍ فأبلى وأعذَرا
They stood firm and fierce; each fighter,
But the enemy's triumph can still leave souls impure.
Facing ten foreign brutes, fought nobly and did all he could.
That moment of shame we can never immure,
فقالَso said أعاديهمtheir enemies لحُسنِat the excellence of بلائهمtheir valor
فقالَ أعاديهم لحُسنِ بلائهم
أذلِكَare those جُندُthe troops of اللهِGod أمor أُسُدُthe lions of الشّرىal-Shara
أذلِكَ جُندُ اللهِ أم أُسُدُ الشّرى
Their enemies said, admiring their valor:
Still haunts - though we wish memories could blur.
Are these God's troops, or the lions of al-Shara?
I told my eyes, now you must tear obscure,
كذاthus لبسواthey donned فيin النّقعِbattle dust ثوباًa garment مُضرَّجاًblood-drenched
كذا لبسوا في النّقعِ ثوباً مُضرَّجاً
لِكيso that يلبسواthey might clothe العلياءَthe heights بُرداًin a mantle مُحبَّراembroidered
لِكي يلبسوا العلياءَ بُرداً مُحبَّرا
Thus in battle's dust they donned a blood-drenched garment,
I told my heart, now you must crack and abjure.
To clothe the heights in an embroidered mantle.
I wished to die alongside my noble moor,
ولكنbut لجدٍّthrough fortune عاثِرٍstumbling خانتbetrayed الوغىbattle
ولكن لجدٍّ عاثِرٍ خانت الوغى
فأردتso it felled أميرَthe commander of الجيشِthe army حرّاًa free man تهجَّراwho marched at midday
فأردت أميرَ الجيشِ حرّاً تهجَّرا
But through stumbling fortune, battle betrayed them
But I cherish life only to avenge this heartbreak dour.
And felled the army's commander, a free man who had marched in noon's heat.
تصعصعَfaltered صفُّthe ranks of الجندِthe soldiers وانصاعَand turned away حائراًbewildered
تصعصعَ صفُّ الجندِ وانصاعَ حائراً
لمصرعِat the fall of ندبٍa gallant man كانَwho was قُطباًa pole ومحوراand a pivot
لمصرعِ ندبٍ كانَ قُطباً ومحورا
The soldiers' ranks faltered and turned away bewildered
At the fall of a gallant man who had been their pole and pivot.
تقوَّضَcollapsed رُكنُthe pillar of الدّينِreligion عندَat سُقوطِهhis fall
تقوَّضَ رُكنُ الدّينِ عندَ سُقوطِه
ومالَand leaned عمادُthe support of المُلكِsovereignty والحقُّand truth أدبراretreated
ومالَ عمادُ المُلكِ والحقُّ أدبرا
Religion's pillar collapsed at his fall;
Sovereignty's support leaned, and truth retreated.
لهfor him خُسِفتsank أرضُthe earth of الشآمِSyria وزَلزلتand quaked
له خُسِفت أرضُ الشآمِ وزَلزلت
وأوشكتِand nearly الأجرامُthe heavenly bodies أنto تَتدَهوراtumble down
وأوشكتِ الأجرامُ أن تَتدَهورا
For him Syria's earth sank and quaked,
And the heavenly bodies nearly tumbled down.
هوىfell القائدُthe commander الأعلىthe supreme فتىthe champion of العربِthe Arabs الذيwho
هوى القائدُ الأعلى فتى العربِ الذي
حكىmatched أنجدَthe bravest القوّادِcommanders بلrather كانhe was أمهراmore skillful
حكى أنجدَ القوّادِ بل كان أمهرا
The supreme commander fell, the Arabs' champion who
Matched the bravest commanders—indeed, was more skillful.
فهلso is there بعدهُafter him حُرّيةٌfreedom وسعادةٌand happiness
فهل بعدهُ حُرّيةٌ وسعادةٌ
لشعبٍfor a people يرىwho see جيشاًan army منof الرّومِRomans أخزَراsquint-eyed
لشعبٍ يرى جيشاً من الرّومِ أخزَرا
After him, can there be freedom and happiness
For a people facing a squint-eyed army of Romans?
أصابتهُstruck him فيin حرِّthe heat of النِّضالِcombat شظيَّةٌa splinter
أصابتهُ في حرِّ النِّضالِ شظيَّةٌ
أصابتstruck قلوبthe hearts of العُربِthe Arabs فاصِمَةُthe breaker of العُرىbonds
أصابت قلوب العُربِ فاصِمَةُ العُرى
A splinter struck him in the heat of combat;
That breaker of bonds struck the Arabs' hearts.
فخرّso he fell صريعاًslain وهوand he was أبسلُthe bravest قائدٍcommander
فخرّ صريعاً وهو أبسلُ قائدٍ
ومَجّand spat نجيعاًfresh blood أخلجَwide الجرحِof wound أتغراgaping
ومَجّ نجيعاً أخلجَ الجرحِ أتغرا
He fell slain, the bravest of commanders,
And spat fresh blood from his wide, gaping wound.
وجادَand gave up بنفسٍa soul حُرَّةٍfree مُشمئزَّةٍindignant
وجادَ بنفسٍ حُرَّةٍ مُشمئزَّةٍ
تودُّlonging ولوeven if بالموتِthrough death أنto تتحرَّراbe liberated
تودُّ ولو بالموتِ أن تتحرَّرا
He gave up a free, indignant soul
That longed, even through death, to be liberated.
أرادَتit sought ِإلىto دارِthe abode of الخلودِeternity تخلُّصاًescape
أرادَت ِإلى دارِ الخلودِ تخلُّصاً
فماso not وجدَتit found إلاexcept الشَّهادَةَmartyrdom معبراa passage
فما وجدَت إلا الشَّهادَةَ معبرا
It sought escape to the abode of eternity
And found no passage but martyrdom.
فأطهرُso the purest أنفاسٍbreaths إليهاtoward it تصاعدَتrose
فأطهرُ أنفاسٍ إليها تصاعدَت
وأزكىand the most stainless دمٍblood يومَon the day of الجهادِstruggle تَفجَّراburst forth
وأزكى دمٍ يومَ الجهادِ تَفجَّرا
The purest breaths rose toward it,
And the most stainless blood burst forth on the day of struggle.
سرىwent forth نفسٌa breath منهfrom him الرِّياحُthe winds تعطّرَتwere perfumed
سرى نفسٌ منه الرِّياحُ تعطّرَت
وسالَand flowed دمٌblood منهُfrom him التّرابُthe dust تطهّراwas purified
وسالَ دمٌ منهُ التّرابُ تطهّرا
A breath went forth from him, perfuming the winds;
Blood flowed from him, purifying the dust.
فأجنِحةُso the wings of الأملاكِthe angels فيهِin it تخضَّبتwere dyed
فأجنِحةُ الأملاكِ فيهِ تخضَّبت
وقدand indeed مَسحتهُthey wiped it كيso that يُصانَit might be preserved ويُذكراand remembered
وقد مَسحتهُ كي يُصانَ ويُذكرا
The angels' wings were dyed in it;
They had wiped it away so it might be preserved and remembered.
علىin شرفٍhonor أودىhe died فشرّفَand honored أُمَّةًa nation
على شرفٍ أودى فشرّفَ أُمَّةً
وقدَّسَand sanctified أرضاًa land حجَّبتthat veiled منهُof him محسراthe uncovered body
وقدَّسَ أرضاً حجَّبت منهُ محسرا
He died in honor and honored a nation,
And sanctified a land that hid his uncovered body.
رأتهُshe found him ثَقيلاًheavy فاستخفّتهُthen lightly bore him ميِّتاًdead
رأتهُ ثَقيلاً فاستخفّتهُ ميِّتاً
وضمَّتهُand embraced him مشبوحَoutstretched الذِّراعينِof arms مُسقراfallen
وضمَّتهُ مشبوحَ الذِّراعينِ مُسقرا
She found him heavy, yet lightly took him dead,
And embraced him, arms outstretched, fallen.
طويلاًlong ستبكيهِwill mourn him الفواطمُthe Fatimas فيin الحِمىthe protected land
طويلاً ستبكيهِ الفواطمُ في الحِمى
فقدfor indeed كانhe was دونbefore الخِدرِthe women's chamber والحصنِand the fort حيدراa lion
فقد كان دون الخِدرِ والحصنِ حيدرا
Long will the Fatimas mourn him in the protected land;
He had been a lion before the women's chamber and the fort.
وينثرنَand they scatter أزهاراًflowers ومسكاًand musk ولؤلؤاand pearls
وينثرنَ أزهاراً ومسكاً ولؤلؤا
ودمعاًand tears علىover أحبىthe loveliest الخدودِcheeks تحدّراstreaming down
ودمعاً على أحبى الخدودِ تحدّرا
They will scatter flowers, musk, and pearls,
And tears streaming over the loveliest cheeks.
عليناupon us يمينٌan oath أنto نحُجَّmake pilgrimage to ضريحهُhis tomb
علينا يمينٌ أن نحُجَّ ضريحهُ
لنأخُذَso we may draw منهُfrom him قُوَّةًstrength وتصبُّراand steadfastness
لنأخُذَ منهُ قُوَّةً وتصبُّرا
We are sworn to make pilgrimage to his tomb,
To draw strength and steadfastness from him.
فأطيبناfor our sweetest ريحاًin scent وخلقاًand character وسمعةًand reputation
فأطيبنا ريحاً وخلقاً وسمعةً
قضىdied فيfor love of us هواناdisheveled أشعَثَof head الرأسِdust-covered always inadvertently? أغبراdust-covered
قضى في هوانا أشعَثَ الرأسِ أغبرا
The sweetest of us in scent, character, and name
Died for love of us, his head disheveled, dust-covered.
أيوسُفَO Yusuf ياO ابنson of العظمةِal-Azma استعظمَmarveled الورىthe world
أيوسُفَ يا ابن العظمةِ استعظمَ الورى
شهادَتَكَat your martyrdom المُثلىthe exemplary ومثلكَand your like لمnever يراhas seen
شهادَتَكَ المُثلى ومثلكَ لم يرا
O Yusuf, son of al-Azma, the world has marveled
At your exemplary martyrdom, never having seen your like.
تردَّيتَyou fell فارتدَّتso fell back أمانيُّthe hopes of أُمّةٍa nation
تردَّيتَ فارتدَّت أمانيُّ أُمّةٍ
مُشرَّدةٍscattered تشتاقُlonging for عَرشاًa throne ومنبراand a pulpit
مُشرَّدةٍ تشتاقُ عَرشاً ومنبرا
You fell, and the hopes of a nation fell back,
A scattered nation longing for a throne and pulpit.
يَعِزُّit pains عليناus أنto نراكَsee you مُشَحَّطاًdrenched in blood
يَعِزُّ علينا أن نراكَ مُشَحَّطاً
وتأبىand refuse الثُّريَّاthe Pleiades أنthat نواريكَwe hide you فيin الثَّرىthe earth
وتأبى الثُّريَّا أن نواريكَ في الثَّرى
It pains us to see you drenched in blood;
The Pleiades refuse to let us hide you in the earth.
ألاindeed ياO شهيدَmartyr of الحقِّtruth والمُلكِand sovereignty والهُدىand guidance
ألا يا شهيدَ الحقِّ والمُلكِ والهُدى
بموتِكَby your death بجّلتَyou ennobled الضَّعيفَthe weak المُحسَّراthe defenseless
بموتِكَ بجّلتَ الضَّعيفَ المُحسَّرا
O martyr of truth, sovereignty, and guidance,
By your death you ennobled the weak and defenseless.
وأحييتَand revived شعباًa people صارَwho became فيamid نكباتهِtheir calamities
وأحييتَ شعباً صارَ في نكباتهِ
يرىseeing القبرَthe grave مهداًas a cradle والنّذيرَand the warner مُبشِّراas a good-news bearer
يرى القبرَ مهداً والنّذيرَ مُبشِّرا
You revived a people who, amid their calamities,
Had come to see the grave as a cradle and the warner as a bearer of good news.
فسوريَّةُso Syria الثّكلىthe bereaved عليكَover you تفجَّعتlamented
فسوريَّةُ الثّكلى عليكَ تفجَّعت
وقدand indeed ذهبتwasted away فيهاwithin her النّفوسُsouls تحسُّراin sorrow
وقد ذهبت فيها النّفوسُ تحسُّرا
Bereaved Syria lamented you;
Within her, souls wasted away in sorrow.
فنمso sleep فيin ثراهاher soil مُطمئنّاًat peace مُكرَّماًhonored
فنم في ثراها مُطمئنّاً مُكرَّماً
فذاكَfor that الثّرىsoil قدindeed صارَhas become مِسكاًmusk وعنبراand ambergris
فذاكَ الثّرى قد صارَ مِسكاً وعنبرا
Sleep in her soil, at peace and honored;
That soil has become musk and ambergris.
عليكَupon you صلاةُthe blessing of المُصطفىthe Chosen One وسلامُهُand his peace
عليكَ صلاةُ المُصطفى وسلامُهُ
فأنتfor you are كبيرٌgreat صارwho became بالموتthrough death أكبراgreater
فأنت كبيرٌ صار بالموت أكبرا
Upon you be the Chosen One's blessing and peace;
You are a great man made greater by death.
صحابُكَyour companions فِتيانٌyoung men كِرامٌnoble تساقطواfell
صحابُكَ فِتيانٌ كِرامٌ تساقطوا
وكانواand they were علىin الهيجاءِbattle والموتِand death أصبراmost steadfast
وكانوا على الهيجاءِ والموتِ أصبرا
Your companions were noble young men who fell;
They were most steadfast in battle and death.
لقدindeed أرخَصواthey held cheap أرواحهمtheir souls ومتاعهُمand their possessions
لقد أرخَصوا أرواحهم ومتاعهُم
وغالواand held dear بأعراضٍtheir honor هيwhich is النّجمُthe star أزهراat its brightest
وغالوا بأعراضٍ هي النّجمُ أزهرا
They held their souls and possessions cheap,
But prized their honor, bright as a star.
فماتواso they died أُباةًproudly defiant مُسلمينَMuslims تشَهَّدواdeclaring their faith
فماتوا أُباةً مُسلمينَ تشَهَّدوا
فلمso not تشهدِhave witnessed الجنّاتُthe gardens أتقىmore devout وأنصراor stauncher in aid
فلم تشهدِ الجنّاتُ أتقى وأنصرا
They died proudly, Muslims declaring their faith;
The gardens have seen none more devout or stauncher in aid.
بهمthrough them قدَّمتoffered أرضُthe land of الشآمِSyria ضحيَّةًa sacrifice
بهم قدَّمت أرضُ الشآمِ ضحيَّةً
تقبّلهاaccepted it ربُّthe Lord of السماءِheaven وبرَّراand blessed it
تقبّلها ربُّ السماءِ وبرَّرا
Through them Syria's land offered a sacrifice
That the Lord of heaven accepted and blessed.
وكلٌّand every شهيدٍmartyr سوفَshall يشخُبُspurt جرحهُhis wound
وكلٌّ شهيدٍ سوفَ يشخُبُ جرحهُ
دماًblood طاهراًpure يومَon the day of القيامةِresurrection أذفراfragrant
دماً طاهراً يومَ القيامةِ أذفرا
Every martyr's wound shall spurt
Pure, fragrant blood on Resurrection Day.
يُرشُّis sprinkled علىupon الجنّاتِthe gardens مِنهsome of it تبرُّكاًfor blessing
يُرشُّ على الجنّاتِ مِنه تبرُّكاً
فينبتُso it grows فيهاwithin them زعفراناًas saffron وعُصفراand safflower
فينبتُ فيها زعفراناً وعُصفرا
Some will be sprinkled upon the gardens for blessing,
And will grow there as saffron and safflower.
سلامٌpeace علىupon الأبطالِthe heroes إنّindeed دماءَهمtheir blood
سلامٌ على الأبطالِ إنّ دماءَهم
ستُحييwill revive شُعوراًa feeling لنnever يموتَwill die ويُقبراand be buried
ستُحيي شُعوراً لن يموتَ ويُقبرا
Peace upon the heroes: their blood
Will revive a feeling that shall never die and be buried.
لعمرُby the life of العُلىglory الأحياءُthe living همare they فمماتُهمfor their death
لعمرُ العُلى الأحياءُ هم فمماتُهم
خُلودٌis immortality وهذاand this حظّthe lot of منwhoever عاشَlived مؤثراselflessly
خُلودٌ وهذا حظّ من عاشَ مؤثرا
By the life of glory, they are the living; their death
Is immortality, the lot of whoever lived selflessly.
سقاكِmay water you الحياthe rain ياO ميسلونَMaysalun كماas سقواthey watered
سقاكِ الحيا يا ميسلونَ كما سقوا
ثراكِyour soil دماًwith blood منthan صيِّبِthe downpour of المُزنthe clouds أطهراpurer
ثراكِ دماً من صيِّبِ المُزن أطهرا
May rain water you, Maysalun, as they watered
Your soil with blood purer than the clouds' downpour.
شهدتُI witnessed الأُلىthose who يومon the day of الشّهادةِmartyrdom أشهدواcalled as witnesses
شهدتُ الأُلى يوم الشّهادةِ أشهدوا
علىfor الحقّtruth والحريّةِand freedom اللهGod والورىand mankind
على الحقّ والحريّةِ الله والورى
I witnessed those who, on martyrdom's day, called
God and mankind to witness for truth and freedom.
فأضحىso became يقيناًcertain كلُّall ماthat كانhad been شُبهةdoubtful
فأضحى يقيناً كلُّ ما كان شُبهة
وأمسىand became قويماًstraight كلُّall ماthat كانhad been أزوراcrooked
وأمسى قويماً كلُّ ما كان أزورا
Everything that had been doubtful became certain;
Everything that had been crooked became straight.
علupon كلِّevery رشٍّsplash منof دمٍblood رشُّa splash of مدمعٍtears
عل كلِّ رشٍّ من دمٍ رشُّ مدمعٍ
ففيso in الوجدِgrief صارbecame الدّمعُtears والدَّمُand blood جوهراjewels
ففي الوجدِ صار الدّمعُ والدَّمُ جوهرا
Upon every splash of blood falls a splash of tears;
In grief, tears and blood became jewels.
فماhow كانit was أغلاهُdear وأثمنَهُand precious دماًas blood
فما كان أغلاهُ وأثمنَهُ دماً
علىover ذوبِthe melted essence of أرواحٍsouls وأدمِغةٍand brains جرىit flowed
على ذوبِ أرواحٍ وأدمِغةٍ جرى
How dear and precious that blood was,
Flowing over melted souls and brains!
لقدindeed ذهبتwas lost بطلاًin vain دماءٌblood عزيزةٌprecious
لقد ذهبت بطلاً دماءٌ عزيزةٌ
بتهريقهاby spilling it ذوthe man of البطلِfalsehood أصبحbecame أبطراmore insolent
بتهريقها ذو البطلِ أصبح أبطرا
Precious blood was indeed shed in vain;
Its spiller, a man of falsehood, became more insolent.
ولكِنَّهاbut it سالتflowed لخيرٍfor goodness ونعمةٍand blessing
ولكِنَّها سالت لخيرٍ ونعمةٍ
كماas سالَflowed يُنبوعٌa spring فأروىthen quenched thirst وأنضراand brought freshness
كما سالَ يُنبوعٌ فأروى وأنضرا
Yet it flowed for goodness and blessing,
Like a spring flowing to quench thirst and bring freshness.
سَقتit watered زَرعَthe crop of أحرارٍfree men وأغراسَand the saplings of أُمةٍa nation
سَقت زَرعَ أحرارٍ وأغراسَ أُمةٍ
كذلكَthus حانَripened الزّرعُthe crop والغرسُand the saplings أثمراbore fruit
كذلكَ حانَ الزّرعُ والغرسُ أثمرا
It watered the crop of free men and a nation's saplings;
Thus the crop ripened and the saplings bore fruit.
وماand never بَسقتgrew tall حرّيةٌfreedom وتأصّلتand took root
وما بَسقت حرّيةٌ وتأصّلت
بغيرِwithout الذيthat which يجريflows مِنَfrom القلبِthe heart مُهدراwasted
بغيرِ الذي يجري مِنَ القلبِ مُهدرا
Freedom has never grown tall or taken root
Without what pours, wasted, from the heart.
هَوىfell عَلمٌa flag قدthat indeed ظلَّلَhad shaded المُلكَsovereignty مُدَّةًfor a time
هَوى عَلمٌ قد ظلَّلَ المُلكَ مُدَّةً
فباتَso became علىin كلِّall العُيونِeyes مُصوَّراpictured
فباتَ على كلِّ العُيونِ مُصوَّرا
A flag fell that had long shaded sovereignty
And came to be pictured in every eye.
ولكنَّهُbut it لمhas not يهوِfallen عَنfrom قَلبٍthe heart of أمةٍa nation
ولكنَّهُ لم يهوِ عَن قَلبٍ أمةٍ
تراهُthat sees it علىamid البأساءِhardship أبيضَwhite أخضراgreen
تراهُ على البأساءِ أبيضَ أخضرا
But it has not fallen from a nation's heart,
Which sees it, amid hardship, white and green.
لقدindeed رَفعتهُraised it ثمthen فدَّتهُredeemed it حُرَّةٌa free nation
لقد رَفعتهُ ثم فدَّتهُ حُرَّةٌ
وشامَتand watched بهِin it برقاًlightning تألَّقَthat shone مُمطراbearing rain
وشامَت بهِ برقاً تألَّقَ مُمطرا
A free nation raised it, then redeemed it,
And watched in it lightning shining and bearing rain.
فألوانُهُso its colors فيin كلِّevery قلبٍheart ومُقلةٍand eye
فألوانُهُ في كلِّ قلبٍ ومُقلةٍ
ونجمتُهُand its star تهديguides الضَّليلَthe wandering المحيَّراthe bewildered
ونجمتُهُ تهدي الضَّليلَ المحيَّرا
Its colors are in every heart and eye;
Its star guides the wandering and bewildered.
بنجمتِهِby its star الزهراءِthe radiant فيin اليأسِdespair نهتَديwe find our way
بنجمتِهِ الزهراءِ في اليأسِ نهتَدي
وقدand indeed زيّنتit adorned ماwhat بالدِّماءwith blood تحمّراwas reddened
وقد زيّنت ما بالدِّماء تحمّرا
By its radiant star we find our way in despair;
It adorned what had been reddened by blood.
وماand not هيit is إِلاexcept رَمزُthe symbol of أُمنيَّةٍa hope بدَتrevealed
وما هي إِلا رَمزُ أُمنيَّةٍ بدَت
لناto us فيamid المناياdeaths فازدَرَيناso we scorned المُحذفَراall amassed abundance
لنا في المنايا فازدَرَينا المُحذفَرا
It is only the symbol of a hope revealed
To us amid deaths, making us scorn all amassed abundance.
سَلامٌpeace علىupon ذيّالِكَthat trailing العَلمِflag الذيwhich
سَلامٌ على ذيّالِكَ العَلمِ الذي
بَداappeared فيin دياجيناour darkness مَناراًas a beacon ونيِّراand a light
بَدا في دياجينا مَناراً ونيِّرا
Peace upon that trailing flag which
Appeared in our darkness as a beacon and a light.
فقدَّسهُso hallowed it يومَon the day of الشَّهادةِmartyrdom والفِدَىand sacrifice
فقدَّسهُ يومَ الشَّهادةِ والفِدَى
دَمُthe blood of الشُّهداءِthe martyrs المُرتقينَascending إِلىto الذُّرىthe heights
دَمُ الشُّهداءِ المُرتقينَ إِلى الذُّرى
On the day of martyrdom and sacrifice, it was hallowed by
The blood of martyrs ascending to the heights.
كراتُthe volleys of الأعاديthe enemies مزَّقتهُtore it فلمyet not يكُنit was
كراتُ الأعادي مزَّقتهُ فلم يكُن
بتمزيقهِthrough its tearing إِلاexcept أَجلَّmore revered وأوقراand more dignified
بتمزيقهِ إِلا أَجلَّ وأوقرا
Enemy volleys tore it, yet it was
Only more revered and dignified for its tearing.
تحيَّتُهاtheir salute زادَتهُincreased it عزّاًin honor ورِفعةًand elevation
تحيَّتُها زادَتهُ عزّاً ورِفعةً
وحبّاًand love وإكراماًand esteem وحُسناًand beauty مُؤثِّراmoving
وحبّاً وإكراماً وحُسناً مُؤثِّرا
Their salute increased its honor and elevation,
Love, esteem, and moving beauty.
جَوانحُناour breasts آفاقُهُits horizons وقُلوبُناand our hearts
جَوانحُنا آفاقُهُ وقُلوبُنا
مَطالِعُهُits rising places ماas long as بلّلَwets الدّمعُthe tears محجراan eye socket
مَطالِعُهُ ما بلّلَ الدّمعُ محجرا
Our breasts are its horizons, and our hearts
Its places of rising, as long as tears wet an eye.
فلنso never يحجبواwill they hide ألوانَthe colors of مجدٍglory ونجمَةًand a star
فلن يحجبوا ألوانَ مجدٍ ونجمَةً
تذُرُّthat brings forth عليناupon us مِنfrom دُجىthe darkness of الخطبِcalamity أظهراnoondays
تذُرُّ علينا مِن دُجى الخطبِ أظهرا
They shall not hide glory's colors or a star
That brings us noonday light from calamity's darkness.
سَنحياwe shall live كماas مُتناwe died كِراماًnobly لأجلهِfor its sake
سَنحيا كما مُتنا كِراماً لأجلهِ
وعنand from نيلهِattaining it باعُthe reach of العِدىthe enemy كانwas أقصَراtoo short
وعن نيلهِ باعُ العِدى كان أقصَرا
We shall live, as we died, nobly for its sake;
The enemy's reach was too short to attain it.
ونذكرand we remember يوماًa day أثبتthat established الحقَّtruth بالرَّدىthrough death
ونذكر يوماً أثبت الحقَّ بالرَّدى
ونحفَظُand preserve تبلاًa grievance صَيّرَthat made القلبَthe heart مُجمراa brazier
ونحفَظُ تبلاً صَيّرَ القلبَ مُجمرا
We remember a day that established truth through death,
And preserve a grievance that made the heart a brazier.
ونكظمُand swallow غيظاًanger مُظهرينَshowing تجلُّداًfortitude
ونكظمُ غيظاً مُظهرينَ تجلُّداً
وننهضُand raise شعباًa people حائراًbewildered مُتَعثَّراstumbling
وننهضُ شعباً حائراً مُتَعثَّرا
We swallow anger, showing fortitude,
And raise a people bewildered and stumbling.
ونثأرُand avenge ourselves بَطّاشينَstriking mightily بعدafter سُكوتِناour silence
ونثأرُ بَطّاشينَ بعد سُكوتِنا
وقدand indeed حرَّكَstirred التّذكارُremembrance حِقداًa hatred مُدثَّراshrouded
وقد حرَّكَ التّذكارُ حِقداً مُدثَّرا
After our silence we shall avenge ourselves with mighty blows,
Remembrance having stirred a shrouded hatred.
ونضربُهُمand strike them ضرباًwith blows بماwith what ضرَبواthey struck بهِwith
ونضربُهُم ضرباً بما ضرَبوا بهِ
ونرشُقُهمand pelt them رشقاًwith volleys دَراكاًsuccessive مُشرشراrending
ونرشُقُهم رشقاً دَراكاً مُشرشرا
We shall strike them with what they struck with,
And pelt them with swift, successive, rending volleys.
ولاand no رَحمةٌmercy يومَon the day of التّفانيmutual destruction فطالماfor how often
ولا رَحمةٌ يومَ التّفاني فطالما
غداhas come معشرٌa people يُفنيto destroy منout of الضّغنِhatred مَعشراanother people
غدا معشرٌ يُفني من الضّغنِ مَعشرا
No mercy on the day of mutual destruction: how often
Has one people destroyed another out of hatred!
عنto contain الثّأرِrevenge والشّحناءِand enmity ضاقتbecame too narrow صُدورُناour breasts
عن الثّأرِ والشّحناءِ ضاقت صُدورُنا
وهذاand this انتِقامٌa vengeance كانwas مِنّاby us مُقدَّراresolved upon
وهذا انتِقامٌ كان مِنّا مُقدَّرا
Our breasts can no longer contain revenge and enmity;
This is a vengeance we had resolved upon.
فقلso say أيُّهاO you المُستذئبونَwho become wolves ترقَّبواawait
فقل أيُّها المُستذئبونَ ترقَّبوا
منfrom العربِthe Arabs الأقتالَthe warriors يوماًa day مُشهَّراrenowned
من العربِ الأقتالَ يوماً مُشهَّرا
Say: you who turn into wolves, await
A renowned day from the warrior Arabs.
صَبرناwe held patient علىthrough المكروهِsuffering مناof ours نُفوسناour souls
صَبرنا على المكروهِ منا نُفوسنا
وقدand indeed بَلغتthey attained عِذراًan excuse بأمرthrough an ordeal تعذَّراunbearable
وقد بَلغت عِذراً بأمر تعذَّرا
We ourselves have held our souls patient through suffering;
They have found their excuse in an unbearable ordeal.
كتبناwe wrote علىupon رقِّthe parchment of القلوبِhearts عُهودَناour pledges
كتبنا على رقِّ القلوبِ عُهودَنا
فصينتso they were preserved ولنand never تمحوwill erase الأسِنّةُthe spearheads أسطُراlines
فصينت ولن تمحو الأسِنّةُ أسطُرا
We wrote our pledges on the parchment of hearts;
They were preserved, and spearheads shall not erase their lines.
لقدindeed شهدَتwitnessed أمٌّa mother وأختٌand a sister وزوجةٌand a wife
لقد شهدَت أمٌّ وأختٌ وزوجةٌ
وبنتٌand a daughter وجُوهاًfaces شوّهتهاdisfigured by الحبوكرىcatastrophe
وبنتٌ وجُوهاً شوّهتها الحبوكرى
A mother, a sister, and a wife have witnessed,
And a daughter, faces disfigured by catastrophe.
لناours فَخرُهاits glory الأسمىthe highest وللخصمand the enemy's نصرُهاits victory
لنا فَخرُها الأسمى وللخصم نصرُها
ورُبَّand many an انتِصارٍtriumph كانwas فيin البطلfalsehood مُعوَراflawed
ورُبَّ انتِصارٍ كان في البطل مُعوَرا
Ours is its highest glory; the enemy's is its victory;
Many a triumph has been flawed by falsehood.
فيالكِwhat you are منas ذكرىa memory هُناكَthere أليمةٍpainful
فيالكِ من ذكرى هُناكَ أليمةٍ
لناwe have كلفٌa passionate attachment منهاfrom it بأنto نتذَكَّراremember
لنا كلفٌ منها بأن نتذَكَّرا
What a painful memory you are!
It leaves us passionately bound to remember.
فقلتso I said لِعينيto my eye حانَthe time has come أنto تتقطَّريdrip tears
فقلت لِعيني حانَ أن تتقطَّري
وقلتُand I said لقلبيto my heart هانَit has become easy أنto تتفَطَّراbreak apart
وقلتُ لقلبي هانَ أن تتفَطَّرا
I told my eye: the time has come for you to drip tears;
I told my heart: it is easy now for you to break.
تمنيَّتُI wished معbeside فتيانِthe young men of قوميmy people شهادَتيfor my martyrdom
تمنيَّتُ مع فتيانِ قومي شهادَتي
ولكنّنيbut I أهوىlove الحياةَلأثأراlife so I may avenge
ولكنّني أهوى الحياةَلأثأرا
I wished for martyrdom beside my people's young men,
But I love life so that I may avenge.
Partial English translation: 191 of 332 Arabic lines translated.
Sol 6.1