ما الوردُ إِنْ زقَّ على

ما الوردُ إِنْ زقَّ على

خدوده دمعُ الندى

خدوده دمعُ الندى

No rose, though tears are poured upon

Rose's cheek is made more lovely

its cheeks—the tears of dew—

With dew tears that o'er it roll

زكا وطاب عبْقُه

زكا وطاب عبْقُه

ونفساً مُرّددا

ونفساً مُرّددا

and it flourishes, its fragrance sweet,

Sweet its fragrance through them grows

and its breath wafts again and again,

Breathing life into my soul

أَطيب من تحية

أَطيب من تحية

شكرتها فيك يدا

شكرتها فيك يدا

is sweeter than a greeting

Sweeter than a word of thanks

I gratefully acknowledged as your kindness.

From my lips in praise extolled

إِن حَسُنتْ تحيتي

إِن حَسُنتْ تحيتي

فإِنها رجعُ الصدى

فإِنها رجعُ الصدى

If my greeting is lovely,

If my greeting's filled with beauty

it is the return of an echo.

It's but echo of thine of old