كَم رَبِّ كَفٍّ مَلِيَّه

كَم رَبِّ كَفٍّ مَلِيَّه

لَم يَشَرِبِ الجَمَلِيَّه

لَم يَشَرِبِ الجَمَلِيَّه

How many a man whose hand is full

How many a hand uncalloused

has not drunk al-Jamaliyya tea;

Has never touched camel's rope,

شَرَابُه غَنفَرٌِّ

شَرَابُه غَنفَرٌِّ

أوأسوَدُ النَّمَلِيَّه

أوأسوَدُ النَّمَلِيَّه

his drink is Ghanfarri

Its drink the datefruit syrup

or black al-Namaliyya tea.

Or blackouts of the ant's hope.

وَكَم فَتًى صِفرِ كَفٍّ

وَكَم فَتًى صِفرِ كَفٍّ

قَد كَانَ آلَى ألِيَّه

قَد كَانَ آلَى ألِيَّه

And how many a youth with an empty hand

And many a yellow-palmed lad

had already sworn an oath

Was meant for nothing less

ألاَّ يَذُوقَ نُمَيلاً

ألاَّ يَذُوقَ نُمَيلاً

يَوماً وَلاَ غَنفَرِيَّه

يَوماً وَلاَ غَنفَرِيَّه

not to taste Numayl

Than days without a crumb of bread

ever, nor Ghanfariyya.

Or drop of datefruit sweet.

اليُسرُ لِلمَرءِ عَارٌ

اليُسرُ لِلمَرءِ عَارٌ

إِن لَم يَجُرَّ مَزِيَّه

إِن لَم يَجُرَّ مَزِيَّه

Wealth is a disgrace to a man

No shame to a man in want

if it brings no distinction;

If he but strive ahead

وَلَم يَكُ الفَقرُ يُزرِى

وَلَم يَكُ الفَقرُ يُزرِى

بِهِمّةٍ زَحَلِيَّه

بِهِمّةٍ زَحَلِيَّه

nor does poverty diminish

For Poverty's not ugly

a spirit as lofty as Saturn.

To one lion-hearted.