متى يقال قد دنا

متى يقال قد دنا

إلى الضريح سيري

إلى الضريح سيري

When will it be said, 'It has drawn near—

When will it be said I have come near

my journey to the grave'?

To my grave, the end of my journey?

قص جناح قصتي

قص جناح قصتي

قص جناح الطير

قص جناح الطير

My tale's wing has been clipped

Cut short is the wing of my story

as a bird's wing is clipped.

Cut short is the bird’s wing

ويئست حليلتي

ويئست حليلتي

معذورة من خيري

معذورة من خيري

And my wife has despaired,

My dear one has despaired

justifiably, of any good from me.

Forgiven for my goodness

ووسعت رحمة ربي

ووسعت رحمة ربي

كل شيء غيري

كل شيء غيري

And my Lord's mercy has encompassed

But my Lord’s mercy encompasses

everything except me.

Everything but me

أظنه عاقبني

أظنه عاقبني

بما جناه أيري

بما جناه أيري

I think He has punished me

I think He has punished me

for what my cock has committed.

For the sins of others

فما دعائي عنده

فما دعائي عنده

إلا نهيق عير

إلا نهيق عير

So my prayer, in His sight, is nothing

So my prayer to Him

but the braying of an ass.

Is but the braying of a camel