1. The oud's melody revealed to me a trace
That made me understand we're all but an image

2. So I said, as tears began to well,
Speak, O string, speak of the string

3. Lost is he to whom the essence is still obscure
O oud, how captivating and haunting you are

4. Soften your voice in conviviality
Of a state in love established

5. And tell of a sacred night
That seemed so sweet, in my view all is magic

6. My secret is now overt through you
And from my passion I've confided the hidden

7. Play a melody for me, make it a delight to my ear
And say whatever you wish, for I have an ear

8. Upon which your verses can be recited
From you my ribs have all melted away

9. And my eyelids begin to shed their tears
My ears, your singing makes them ring

10. Hearkening to the beloved, making them hear
Verses of truth never heard by mortals

11. For my yearning, the Zephyr of Yemen roared
And my bosom, to passion inclined

12. I said, as our ouds sympathized:
"O string, set in motion by a singing girl!"

13. No - by my father - that's not so, O string!
Our tambour I fell in love with its tune

14. And I won't forget the morn I heard its ring
How I said, when I witnessed its delight:

15. "The string has deposited its wisdom in you"
So from it - not you - springs the rapture of creation