لنا مغَنٍّ صوتُهُ

يكثُرُ في التِّيهِ أبازيرُهُ

We have a singer whose voice

Often wanders lost in themes

طلبْتُ لَحناً فأبى طبعُهُ

ورُمتُ ضَرباً فأبى زيرُهُ

I asked for a tune but his nature refused

And I asked for a rhythm but his strings refused