ماكُنتُ مُذ كُنتُ إِلّا طَوعَ خُلّاني

لَيسَت مُؤاخَذَةُ الإِخوانِ مِن شاني

I was not, since I was, but compliant to those who wronged me

Reproaching brothers is not my business

يَجني الخَليلُ فَأَستَحلي جِنايَتَهُ

حَتّى أَدُلُّ عَلى عَفوي وَإِحساني

My friend reaps, so I overlook his misdeeds

Until I show my pardon and kindness

وَيُتبِعُ الذَنبَ ذَنباً حينَ يَعرِفُني

عَمداً وَأُتبِعُ غُفراناً بِغُفرانِ

He follows a sin with a sin when he knows me

Deliberately, and I follow forgiveness with forgiveness

يَجني عَلَيَّ وَأَحنو صافِحاً أَبَداً

لاشَيءَ أَحسَنُ مِن حانٍ عَلى جانِ

He wrongs me, yet I remain a hand-shaker forever

Nothing is better than a singing friend