كَيفَ لي يا عَيشُ لَو

أَصبَحَ مَولاكَ مُقيلا

How can I live, O life, if

Your morn appears wearing a frown?

قَد حَمَلنا مِن رَزايا

دَهرِنا عِبأً ثَقيلا

In our days we've borne

A heavy burden and toil.

وَمَلِلنا مِنهُ مَغدىً

وَمَبيتاً وَمَقيلا

We're tired of evening, morrow,

Resting time and vigil.

وَأَطَلنا في بَني أَيّا

مِنا قالاً وَقيلا

Amongst man's progeny we were

Discussed with blame and lies.

صَدِئَ العَقلُ بِهِ مِن

بَعدِ ما كانَ صَقيلا

By it the intellect is rusted

After once being polished.