خَبَّروني أَنَّ سَلمى

خَرَجَت يَومَ المُصَلّى

They told me Salma went out

On the day of congregational prayer

فَإِذا طَيرٌ مَليحٌ

فَوقَ غُضنٍ يَتَفَلّى

There was a beautiful bird

Fluttering above the bushes

قُلتُ مَن يَعرِفُ سَلمى

قالَ ها ثُمَّ تَعَلّى

I said, “who knows Salma?”

It said “Ah!” and then flew up high

قُلتُ يا طَيرُ ادنُ مِنّي

قالَ ها ثُمَّ تَدَلّى

I said “O bird, come closer to me”

It said “Ah!” and then swooped down

قُلتُ هَل أَبصَرتَ سَلمى

قالَ لا ثُمَّ تَوَلّى

I said “did you see Salma?”

It said “No!” and then flew away

فَنَكا في القَلبِ كَلماً

باطِناً ثُمَّ تَعَلّى

It left in my heart a hidden word

Then arose and flew up high