1. Do the sons of Sa’d forget those ancestors by whom,
You abandoned the sons of Sa’d to the worst abandonment

2. At nightfall you turned away as if your swords
Were scabbards around your necks, never unsheathed

3. With grey hair wound round sheathed swords
Leading an army with embroidered banners and flags

4. They called “O Sa’d!” and “O Wa’il!”
And every sword was drawn from its scabbard

5. Two tribes at fortified places competed
To take the heads of the bold warriors

6. They disobeyed with uplifted swords among them
Bravely casting down every closed eyelid

7. Their swords protected them, polished blades
And from Sa’d’s family a call that was not weakened

8. They called and did not know which of them
Would be for them and which would conceal the stride of the warrior

9. Perhaps among those you raid you will find
A father like Abdullah or like Nahshal

10. Or the family of Abi Saud and Awf the son of Malik
When a day comes their might is not blunted

11. And one who takes after us like Ghalib
And my father used to charge uphill alone

12. And he hunted crowned game and split open their skulls
With our swords when the blood had not yet dried

13. You see the necklaces of kings atop his brow
Fanged and grimacing never cast down

14. And he was not of noble horses in front of you
Nor cherished among kings, ever glorified