أقبل الشعب ثائراً فاستهانا
بالمنايا ولا يلاقي الهوانا
The people advanced in revolt, making light of
death and refusing ever to suffer humiliation.
غضب الشعب حين قال حليف
بعد عامين نرجع الطليانا
The people grew angry when an ally said:
“In two years, we shall bring the Italians back.”
هب كالسيل لا السدود استطاعت
وقف تياره فجاز المكانا
They surged like a torrent; no dams could
halt its current, and it swept across the land.
يرفض القول بالفعال فكانت
ثورة الحق عنده البرهانا
They reject mere words, answering with deeds; thus
the revolution for justice became their proof.
أعلن الشعب سخطه لاتفاق
بين أحلافنا وبين عدانا
The people proclaimed their fury at an agreement
between our allies and our enemies.
عجبا للزمان صار عدو الأمس
خلا وخل أمس مهانا
How strange the times: yesterday’s enemy became
a friend, and yesterday’s friend was disgraced.
هكذا الانجليز لا عهد يرعون
ولا ذمة ولا أيمانا
Thus are the English: they honor no covenant,
no binding pledge, and no sworn oath.
قد تناسوا صراعنا ثلث قرن
في دفاع مروع عن حمانا
They have forgotten our struggle of a third of a century,
our terrible defense of our homeland.
فاشترينا الخلاص بالثمن الغالي
لأن الخلاص جل منانا
We purchased liberation at the dearest price,
for liberation was our highest desire.
ودفعنا النقود حمرا فكانت
ليس إلا أرواحنا ودمانا
We paid the coins blood-red, and they were
nothing but our lives and our blood.
إننا نأخذ الحقوق اقتدارا
من ترى نال حقه إحسانا
We take our rights by our own power—
who has ever gained his right as a favor?
هزت الكل ثورة الشعب حتى
غير الجل رأيه وتوانى
The people’s revolution shook everyone, until
even the mighty changed his mind and held back.
قرر الشعب في وضوح وحزم
أنه اليوم أعلن العصيانا
The people resolved, with clarity and firmness,
that today they had declared rebellion.
ثم يأتي من بعد هذا جهاد
لا نبالي لو أنه أفنانا
Then, after this, comes struggle;
we do not care even if it annihilates us.
وإذا لم يكن من الموت يد
فمن العجز أن تكون جبانا
And if there is no escape from death,
it is sheer impotence to be a coward.
غضبة الأسد في العرين أعادت
للعقول الصواب والاتزان
The lion’s wrath within its den restored
sound judgment and balance to every mind.
عندما صوت الكثير على المشروع
رفضا تغيرت ألوانا
When the multitude voted on the proposal
to reject it, complexions changed.
بعضهم واجم وبعض طروب
قال مرحى وصفق استحسانا
Some trembled, while others rejoiced,
crying “Bravo!” and applauding their approval.
ورسول الحليف قد هز كتفيه
كأن اقتراحه ما كانا
The allied envoy merely shrugged his shoulders,
as though his proposal had never existed.
كاد يبكي على المصير وللتمساح
دمع يحرك الأشجانا
He nearly wept over the outcome; the crocodile, too,
has tears that stir our sorrows.
إن عهد الرقيق يا جون ولى
لا تخادع ولا تكن غلطانا
The age of bondage, O John, has passed.
Do not dissemble, and do not be mistaken.
إن أمر المصير قرره الشعب
جهارا وإن أردت بيانا
The question of destiny has been decided by the people,
openly—if it is a clear declaration you seek.
ليبيا شاءت أن تستقل سواء
عارض الغير حقها أم أعانا
Libya has willed to be independent, whether
others oppose her right or lend us aid.
