أبعد بني زر وبعد ابن جندل

أبعد بني زر وبعد ابن جندل

وعمرو أرجي لذة العيش في خفض

وعمرو أرجي لذة العيش في خفض

After the sons of Zirr and after Ibn Jandal,

After the sons of Zar and after Ibn Jandal

and Amr, can I hope for life's pleasure in ease?

And Amr I hope for the joy of life in lowliness

مضوا وبقينا نأمل العيش بعدهم

مضوا وبقينا نأمل العيش بعدهم

ألا ان من يبقى على أثر من يمضي

ألا ان من يبقى على أثر من يمضي

They passed away, and we remained, hoping for life after them.

They passed away, and we remain hoping for life after them

Surely, whoever remains follows in the footsteps of whoever passes away.

Indeed, whoever remains in the wake of those who pass

فقد كان حولي من جياد وسالم

فقد كان حولي من جياد وسالم

كهول مساعير وكل فتى بض

كهول مساعير وكل فتى بض

For around me, from Jiyad and Salim, there once were

Around me were gallant horses and peace

mature men who kindled battle, and every tender-skinned youth,

Aged warriors and every young man in his prime

يرى الشح عاراً والسماحة رفعة

يرى الشح عاراً والسماحة رفعة

أغر كعود البانة الناعم الغض

أغر كعود البانة الناعم الغض

who regards stinginess as disgrace and generosity as honor,

Seeing stinginess as disgrace and generosity as nobility

radiant as the smooth, tender stem of a ban tree.

As tempting as the soft green boughs of bân