أما في الدّهر معتَبر

أما في الدّهر معتَبر

ففيه الصفو والكدر

ففيه الصفو والكدر

Is there not a lesson in time?

In life there is good and bad

For in it are clarity and murkiness.

Joy and sorrow to be had

فسلني عن تقلبه

فسلني عن تقلبه

فعند جُهينة الخبر

فعند جُهينة الخبر

So ask me about its changing ways,

Ask me of its ups and downs

For with Juhaynah lies the news.

For I've gained some wisdom now

صحبناه إِلى أَجلٍ

صحبناه إِلى أَجلٍ

نُراقبه وَنحتَذِرُ

نُراقبه وَنحتَذِرُ

We kept it company until an appointed end,

We accompanied it awhile

Watching it and remaining wary.

Watched and waited all the while

فيا عجَبا لمرتحلٍ

فيا عجَبا لمرتحلٍ

ولا يدري متى السفر

ولا يدري متى السفر

So, what a wonder: one bound to depart,

How wondrous the traveler

Yet he knows not when the journey will be!

Who knows not when he will set sail