لا يَنْهَضُ الشَّعبُ إلاَّ حينَ يَدْفَعُهُ

عَزْمُ الحَيَاةِ إِذا مَا اسْتَيْقَظَتْ فيهِ

The people rise only when the fire of life is awakened within them.

The people will not rise unless they are driven

And love breaks through the gloom, rushing to the sky when called.

By the resolve of life when it awakens within them;

والحَبُّ يخترِقُ الغَبْراءَ مُنْدَفِعاً

إلى السَّماءِ إِذا هَبَّتْ تُناديهِ

While the dead grow used to their shackles, the living chafe and fret against them.

Just as the seed pierces the dusty earth, surging

Towards the heavens whenever they call out its name.

والقَيْدُ يأْلَفُهُ الأَمْواتُ مَا لَبِثُوا

أَمَّا الحَيَاةُ فيُبْلِيها وتُبْليهِ

For chains are befriended only by the dead who linger,

But as for life, it wears them away, just as they wear away life.