يا لَيلَتي بِالكَرخِ دومي هَكَذا

يا لَيلَتي لا تَذهَبي لا تَذهَبي

O my night in al-Karkh, always remain thus,

O my night, do not go away, do not go away.

جاءَ الرَسولُ مُبَشِّراً بِزِيارَةٍ

مِن بَعدِ طولِ تَهَجُّرٍ وَتَغَضُّبِ

The messenger came with good news of a visit,

After a long estrangement and displeasure.

وَبِكَفِّهِ تُفّاحَةٌ قَد مُسِّكَت

آثارُ عَضَّتِها كَقَرنَي عَقرَبِ

In his palm an apple he held,

The marks of his bite like scorpion claws.