نحن قومٌ لنا السماعُ غذاءُ

نحن قومٌ لنا السماعُ غذاءُ

ولداء القلوب فينا شفاءُ

ولداء القلوب فينا شفاءُ

We are a people for whom listening to music is nourishment,

We are a people to whom listening is nourishment

And a cure for the sickness of hearts among us.

And a cure for the sickness of hearts

هو روح الأرواح من قوّة الحا

هو روح الأرواح من قوّة الحا

ل به حيث يستمدّ الغناء

ل به حيث يستمدّ الغناء

It is the spirit of spirits, from the power of the spiritual—

It is the soul of souls through the strength of melody

—state within it, whence song draws strength.

Through it music draws its life

والمغنّي قد راح من راح كأسي

والمغنّي قد راح من راح كأسي

مطرباً إذ يديره الإصغاء

مطرباً إذ يديره الإصغاء

And the singer, from the wine of my cup, has become

The singer left when my cup left

Enrapturing, as attentive listening sets him turning.

Singing as listening turns him

ونديم الألحان من حان سكري

ونديم الألحان من حان سكري

وله نشأةٌ به وانتشاء

وله نشأةٌ به وانتشاء

And the drinking companion of melodies is from the tavern of my intoxication;

The boon companion of melodies from the intoxication of wine

And through it he has new life and exhilaration.

And through it he grew and blossomed

حبّذا حبّذا سماع الأغاني

حبّذا حبّذا سماع الأغاني

حيث يُجلَى الإنشاد والإنشاء

حيث يُجلَى الإنشاد والإنشاء

How lovely, how lovely, to hear songs,

How excellent, how excellent, listening to songs

Where recitation and composition are unveiled.

Where reciting and composing poems is unveiled