بَدَأَ المَماتُ يَدِبُّ في أَترابي

وَبَدَأتُ أَعرِفُ وَحشَةَ الأَحبابِ

Death has begun to creep into my bones

And I've begun to know the loneliness of loved ones

يا بابِلِيُّ فِداكَ إِلفُكَ في الصِبا

وَفِدا شَبابِكَ في التُرابِ شَبابي

O Babylon, your friendship in youth is dear

And youth itself lies dead in the dust

قَد كُنتَ خُلصاني وَمَوضِعَ حاجَتي

وَمَقَرَّ آمالي وَخَيرَ صِحابي

You were my confidant, my recourse in time of need

My hope, my best of friends

فَاِذهَب كَما ذَهَبَ الكِرامُ مُشَيَّعاً

بِالمَجدِ مَبكِيّاً مِنَ الأَحبابِ

So go, as the noble ones went before you

Glorious, mourned by friends