لَنا صاحِبٌ قالِصٌ ظِلُّهُ

إِلَيهِ نُحِثُّ الهِجانَ القِلاصا

We have a friend, his shadow is stingy

We urge the thin camels toward him

فَيا رَبِّ قَرِّب لَنا بُعدَهُ

وَعَجِّل لَنا مِن يَدَيهِ الخَلاصا

So oh Lord, bring his distance nearer

And hasten for us from him salvation

إِذا ما غَدَونا إِلى بابِهِ

غَدَونا بِطاناً وَرُحنا خِماصا

When we go early to his door

We go hungry and go back humiliated

فَبِالجوعِ نَهلِكُ في دارِهِ

وَبِالذَمِّ نَأخُذُ مِنهُ القَصاصا

So with hunger we die in his abode

And with humiliation we get from him punishment

فَلا جادَها الغَيثُ مِن أَربُعٍ

وَلا بارَكَ اللَهُ فيها عِراصا

So neither did the rain make it generous from all around

Nor did God bless it with productivity