وَكانَ النَّاسُ إذْ مُدِحُوا أَثابُوا

وَكانَ النَّاسُ إذْ مُدِحُوا أَثابُوا

ولِلكُرَماءِ بِالمَدْحِ افتِخارُ

ولِلكُرَماءِ بِالمَدْحِ افتِخارُ

And people used to give rewards when they were praised;

When people were praised, they'd repay

and the generous took pride in praise.

The generous took pride in accolades

وَكانَ العُذْرُ في وَقْتٍ وَوَقْتٍ

وَكانَ العُذْرُ في وَقْتٍ وَوَقْتٍ

فصِرْنا لا عَطَاءُ ولا اعتِذارُ

فصِرْنا لا عَطَاءُ ولا اعتِذارُ

And excuses were offered from time to time;

Excuses had their time and place

so now we have neither gifts nor apologies.

Now there's neither gifts nor saving face