عَاهَدُونَا عَلَى الْوَفَاءِ فَخَانُوا

فَكَأنَّا عَلَى الْخِلاَفِ اصْطَحَبْنَا

They promised us loyalty, but betrayed us

They pledged us loyalty, only to betray,

As if from the start, we were at odds

As if our companionship were forged upon opposition.

لَوْ عَلِمْنَا اطِّرَادَ نَقْضِ الأَمَانِي

لاَعْتَمَدْنَا عَكْسَ الْمُرَادِ فَفُزْنَا

Had we known their consistent breaking of vows

Had we known the constant unraveling of hopes,

We'd have gone against their will, and prevailed

We would have pursued the reverse of our desires, and thus triumphed.