فاضoverflowed الغَراميmy passion يُومwhen شُفتوI saw him بِمناميin my dream
فاض الغَرامي يُوم شُفتو بِمنامي
وَالدَمعand the tears عاميoverflowing وَالشَظاand burning pain فيin عِظاميmy bones
وَالدَمع عامي وَالشَظا في عِظامي
My passion overflowed the day I saw him in my dream.
My passion overflowed when I saw you in my dream,
Tears overflowed, and burning pain filled my bones.
My tears are flowing and my bones are shattered,
منfrom كثرthe abundance of ماwhat بيails me ياO ربعcompanions وَاعذابيoh, my torment!
من كثر ما بي يا ربع وَاعذابي
وَضحshowed brightly شهابيmy gray hair بِالمفارقat the hair partings وَهاميand my crown
وَضح شهابي بِالمفارق وَهامي
From all that ails me, friends—oh, my torment!
From much suffering, O friend, and torment,
My gray hair showed at my hair partings and crown.
My shooting star faded at the separation and yearning.
مِنfrom عُقبafter ذاthis شَديتI saddled عشرةten سَراحيبtall, long-limbed she-camels
مِن عُقب ذا شَديت عشرة سَراحيب
الياwhen مَشواthey moved ذرعانهمtheir forelegs كَالدَواليبlike wheels
اليا مَشوا ذرعانهم كَالدَواليب
After that, I saddled ten tall, long-limbed she-camels.
After that, I readied ten horses,
When they moved, their forelegs turned like wheels.
That raced like spinning wheels,
اسرعfaster منthan الليthose who يقطعواcross الدوthe wilderness تَهذيبat a gallop
اسرع من اللي يقطعوا الدو تَهذيب
مِنfrom غيرwithout طُولهdelay مثلlike رفa flock الحَماميthe doves
مِن غير طُوله مثل رف الحَمامي
Faster than those who gallop across the wilderness,
Swifter than those cutting the land for irrigation,
Without delay, like a flock of doves.
Without lingering, like the flight of a pigeon.
الأَولهthe first منfrom خاصthe choicest ركبriding camels اللحاويal-Lihawi
الأَوله من خاص ركب اللحاوي
وَشدادهاand her saddle ماnot كلفوcould afford to equip it كُلevery غاويfancier
وَشدادها ما كلفو كُل غاوي
The first is from al-Lihawi’s choicest riding camels.
The first is a special-bred horse,
Not every fancier could afford to equip her saddle.
With a firm saddle none bothered with,
تَأمنyou feel safe عَلَيهاupon her لَوeven if مَشَتshe travels بِكَwith you خَلاويdesolate wastes
تَأمن عَلَيها لَو مَشَت بِكَ خَلاوي
بَسjust أَنتَyou جُودhold firmly حبلهاher rope وَالزماميand the rein
بَس أَنتَ جُود حبلها وَالزمامي
You are safe upon her, even if she carries you through desolate wastes.
You can trust it even if ridden in empty expanses,
Just hold her rope and rein firmly.
But you own its rein and halter.
الثانيدthe second خزيتهاI acquired her منfrom التياهاthe Tiyaha
الثانيد خزيتها من التياها
ياoh ذكرتI invoked اللَهGod يُومwhen غارواthey charged تَواهاher fellows (uncertain)
يا ذكرت اللَه يُوم غاروا تَواها
The second I acquired from the Tiyaha.
The second, its shame, from its wanderings,
I invoked God when her fellows charged ahead.
Whenever I remember God, when they went astray,
أسرعfaster منthan الدُولابthe wheel نَقلةthe shifting of خطاهاher strides
أسرع من الدُولاب نَقلة خطاها
مِنsince خلقتهher creation ماnot وَقفتshe stood للمساميfor branding irons
مِن خلقته ما وَقفت للمسامي
Her shifting strides are faster than a wheel.
Swifter than a spinning wheel in moving its steps,
Since her birth, she has never stood to be branded.
Since created, it never stopped for a bridle.
الثالثةthe third شعلاred-coated منamong الهجنthe riding camels حرةnoble and purebred
الثالثة شعلا من الهجن حرة
تسبقshe outstrips رَفاريفthe wingbeats of القَطاthe sandgrouse فيin مفرهtheir flight
تسبق رَفاريف القَطا في مفره
The third is red-coated, a noble riding she-camel.
The third, a red-bay thoroughbred,
She outstrips the wingbeats of sandgrouse in flight.
Outracing gazelles in its running,
رِكابهاher rider ماnot باعَهاhe sold her بميتfor a hundred صرهpurses of money
رِكابها ما باعَها بميت صره
وَلوeven if ملولوthey filled for him خرجهاher saddlebags للعصاميup to the fastening straps
وَلو ملولو خرجها للعصامي
Her rider would not sell her for a hundred purses,
Its price unmatched with hundreds of gold coins,
Even if they filled her saddlebags for him up to the fastening straps.
Even if penniless, it’s brought out for guests.
الرابعةthe fourth شقحهpale-coated بوضاحBu Waddah (uncertain name) سمينةplump
الرابعة شقحه بوضاح سمينة
عوصاhardy عَلىat قَطعcrossing الفَيافيthe open wastes متينهstrong
عوصا عَلى قَطع الفَيافي متينه
The fourth is Bu Waddah’s plump, pale she-camel.
The fourth, a beautiful, fat gray,
Hardy and strong at crossing the open wastes.
Hard to cross the plains steadily,
الياif مشتshe travels غدوهin the morning منfrom أَرضthe land of المدينةMedina
اليا مشت غدوه من أَرض المدينة
تَلفىshe reaches دمشقDamascus الشامal-Sham قبلbefore الظَلاميdarkness
تَلفى دمشق الشام قبل الظَلامي
If she leaves the land of Medina in the morning,
That walked one morning from Medina’s land,
She reaches Damascus of al-Sham before dark.
To find Damascus, Syria before nightfall.
الخامسةthe fifth منfrom نَجدNajd جَتshe came مُستحيلهextraordinary (uncertain)
الخامسة من نَجد جَت مُستحيله
منfrom هجنthe riding camels of ولدthe son of سعودSaud حرهnoble أَصيلهpurebred
من هجن ولد سعود حره أَصيله
The fifth came from Najd, extraordinary.
The fifth, came from Nejd, a free purebred,
From Ibn Saud’s riding camels, noble and purebred.
From the line of Saud’s horses, never halting,
ماnot وقفتshe stood بالعمرin her lifetime للسومfor bargaining شبلةa young lioness
ما وقفت بالعمر للسوم شبلة
تَرعىshe grazes on عَفاروسthe tender shoots of النَفلclover وَالخزاميand lavender
تَرعى عَفاروس النَفل وَالخزامي
Never in her life has this lioness stood to be haggled over.
Grazing on the meadow’s plants and truffles,
She grazes on the tender shoots of clover and lavender.
Never finishing its square mile.
السادسةthe sixth ستةa mistress عَلىabove كُلevery سيدةlady
السادسة ستة عَلى كُل سيدة
عبدthe servant of الإِمارهthe emirate ماnot جذبهاhe led her لسيدهto his master
عبد الإِماره ما جذبها لسيده
The sixth is a mistress above every lady.
The sixth, six mares for each lady,
The emirate’s servant never led her to his master.
That even the Prince couldn’t rein to his side,
مرباعهاher spring pasture بَينbetween احبكيAhbaki وَالسويدهand al-Suwayda
مرباعها بَين احبكي وَالسويده
وَمقيضهand her summer pasture ماthe space بينbetween ساليSali وَراميand Rami
وَمقيضه ما بين سالي وَرامي
Her spring pasture lies between Ahbaki and al-Suwayda,
Its range between Ohbahk and Suwaidah,
And her summer pasture between Sali and Rami.
And watering place between Sali and Rammi.
السابعةthe seventh سُبحانglory be to رَبthe Lord خَلقهاwho created her
السابعة سُبحان رَب خَلقها
تَمشيshe travels جُنوبsouth وَلاand not تُوالفshe keeps company with رفقهاher fellows
تَمشي جُنوب وَلا تُوالف رفقها
The seventh—glory be to the Lord who created her!
The seventh, Glory to God who created it,
She goes south and will not keep company with her fellows.
Walking southward, compliant with its friends,
شاهينةa female falcon وَانحلand a leaner one مِنهاthan her سبقهاoutstripped her
شاهينة وَانحل مِنها سبقها
تعجلكshe hurries you عَنaway from رَدreturning المَساthe evening greeting وَالسَلاميand the salutation of peace
تعجلك عَن رَد المَسا وَالسَلامي
A she-falcon—only a leaner one could outrun her.
A falcon, unmatched in its speed,
She leaves you no time to return 'Good evening' or 'Peace.'
Rushing you before returning greetings.
الثامنةthe eighth ماnot دنيتI brought her near للضرابيfor mating
الثامنة ما دنيت للضرابي
وَلاand not عفتوهاthey mishandled her (uncertain) باردينcold الخَوابيthe jars
وَلا عفتوها باردين الخَوابي
The eighth I never brought near a stud.
The eighth, never nearing enclosures,
Nor have those with cold jars mishandled her.
Or cooled under shaded pavilions,
تَرعىshe grazes on زَهرflowers نوارblossoms خاصthe choicest العشابيherbage
تَرعى زَهر نوار خاص العشابي
لاuntil ماthat قضتshe completed مرباعهاher spring grazing بِالتَماميin full
لا ما قضت مرباعها بِالتَمامي
She grazes on flowers and blossoms, the choicest herbage,
Grazing the blossoms of meadows and herbs,
Until she has fully finished her spring grazing.
Never finishing its square mileage fully.
التاسعةthe ninth جَتناshe came to us عَطاa gift منfrom الشعالينthe Sha'alin
التاسعة جَتنا عَطا من الشعالين
تسبقshe outstrips هُبوبthe blowing of الريحthe wind باتلاat the end of التشارينthe Tishrin months
تسبق هُبوب الريح باتلا التشارين
The ninth came to us as a gift from the Sha'alin.
The ninth, came to us as a gift from She'al,
She outruns the blowing wind at the end of the Tishrin months.
Outstripping the blowing of autumn winds,
لَولاwere it not for رسنهاher halter وَالحقبand the girth-straps وَالمحاجينand the hooks
لَولا رسنها وَالحقب وَالمحاجين
ماnot جودوهاthey held her firmly غَيرexcept شَدtightening الخُزاميthe nose-rope
ما جودوها غَير شَد الخُزامي
Were it not for her halter, girth-straps, and hooks,
Were it not for its chiming necklace and anklets,
They could only hold her by tightening her nose-rope.
None would prize it save tying on saddlebags.
العاشرةthe tenth علياAlya (lofty) وَعَليهاand upon her غَواهاher admirers
العاشرة عليا وَعَليها غَواها
ساهوجةswift and long-striding قطعcrossing الفَيافيthe open wastes مُناهاher desire
ساهوجة قطع الفَيافي مُناها
The tenth is Alya, with her admirers upon her.
The tenth, lofty and arrogant in her walking,
Long-striding and swift, crossing the wastes is her desire.
A gray ostrich cutting through the plains,
مثلlike النَعامةthe ostrich الرابيةreared بيفلاهاin its wilderness
مثل النَعامة الرابية بيفلاها
إِنif طالعاًappearing القناصthe hunter زوعbolting in alarm شماميhead held high (uncertain)
إِن طالعاً القناص زوع شمامي
Like an ostrich reared in its wilderness,
When a hunter rises, it moans like a sand grouse,
When a hunter appears, it bolts with its head held high.
Lost in oceans of darkness without guideposts.
كملواthey total ركايبناour riding camels عشرةten بالحسابيby the count
كملوا ركايبنا عشرة بالحسابي
وَالليand those who عليهنare upon them ماnot عليهمagainst them حسابيa reckoning
وَاللي عليهن ما عليهم حسابي
Our riding camels make ten by the count,
The steeds numbered ten by my count,
And those upon them are beyond reckoning.
With no accounts held against them,
قومواrise اعتلوهنmount them ياO وجوهforemost men of الذبابيthe swordsmen
قوموا اعتلوهن يا وجوه الذبابي
وديmy wish عَلىto حُورانHauran وَصلthe arrival of كَلاميmy words
ودي عَلى حُوران وَصل كَلامي
Rise and mount them, you foremost swordsmen!
Rise and mount them, O light pack,
My wish is for my words to reach Hauran.
And guide them to meadows and deliver my words.
تولمواmake ready ياO أَهلpeople of الركابthe riding camels الرَعابيبthe graceful she-camels
تولموا يا أَهل الركاب الرَعابيب
مِنfrom فُوقatop عَجلاتthe swift ones الخطاin step للمطاليبfor the requests
مِن فُوق عَجلات الخطا للمطاليب
Make ready, riders of the graceful she-camels,
Take care, O people of noble horses,
Upon the swift-stepping ones, to carry out these requests.
From atop the saddlecloth to the seeker,
دركتكمyour protection لِلّهto God وَالخضرand al-Khidr وَشعيبand Shu'ayb
دركتكم لِلّه وَالخضر وَشعيب
منfrom شرthe evil of أَولادsons of الزِناillicit sex وَالحَراميand thieves
من شر أَولاد الزِنا وَالحَرامي
I entrust your protection to God, al-Khidr, and Shu'ayb,
I reached you, by God, Khidr, and Shuaib,
Against the evil of bastards and thieves.
From the evil of adulterous illegitimate sons.
جبتI traversed القَصيمal-Qasim وَجبتand I brought عشرةten شداداتriding saddles
جبت القَصيم وَجبت عشرة شدادات
وَمرصعاتand inlaid دفوفهمtheir sideboards وَالغَزالاتand the saddle horns
وَمرصعات دفوفهم وَالغَزالات
I traversed al-Qasim and brought ten riding saddles,
I came from Qasim with ten mares,
Their sideboards and saddle horns inlaid.
With ornamented saddles and does,
كُلeveryone منwho نظرهمsaw them قالsaid ذوليthese زرافاتgiraffes
كُل من نظرهم قال ذولي زرافات
وَالليand those who عليهمare upon them كَالبدورlike moons التماميfull
وَاللي عليهم كَالبدور التمامي
Whoever saw them said, 'Those are giraffes!'
All who saw them said, “those are giraffes”,
And those upon them were like full moons.
And those upon them like full moons.
وَخراجهنand their saddlebags كلفتهنI adorned them فيon علبهنtheir backs (uncertain)
وَخراجهن كلفتهن في علبهن
وَالليand whoever شراهنbought them ماnot حسبhe reckoned لاnot غلابهنtheir dear cost
وَاللي شراهن ما حسب لا غلابهن
I adorned their saddlebags upon their backs.
Their accessories in their saddlebags cost a fortune,
And their buyer paid no heed to their dear cost.
And those who bought them did not contemplate losing them,
واسيتand I made منfrom خاصthe finest البريسمsilk حقبهنtheir girth-straps
واسيت من خاص البريسم حقبهن
أَماas for المياركthe seat cushions مثلlike وَسدpillows المَناميfor sleeping
أَما الميارك مثل وَسد المَنامي
And I made their girth-straps from the finest silk.
I forgot their reins made of brass wire,
As for their seat cushions, they were like sleeping pillows.
As for the bits like a minaret’s lights.
ياoh هُولthe wonder of عَينan eye يُومwhen شفتI saw اللواليحthe looming shapes
يا هُول عَين يُوم شفت اللواليح
عملbecame الطموحthe eager one لشوقهاin longing for her هابa gust of الريحthe wind
عمل الطموح لشوقها هاب الريح
Oh, what a sight, the day I saw those looming shapes!
Ten young horses of thoroughbred line,
The eager one, yearning for her, became a gust of wind.
When whipped in the stomach and flanks,
وَمِنand among الزَهابthe provisions الليthat حصلwere obtained ايشwhat ماليحfine things
وَمِن الزَهاب اللي حصل ايش ماليح
برنيBarni dates لذيذdelicious وَتمرand dates خاصthe choicest الطَعاميfor eating
برني لذيذ وَتمر خاص الطَعامي
And among the provisions obtained—what fine things!
Girded up like Jinn horsemen,
Delicious Barni dates, and dates of the choicest eating.
My family who know what is intended.
يَلمَعflashes تفكهمtheir rifles بالغزالاتupon the saddle horns كَالبَرقlike lightning
يَلمَع تفكهم بالغزالات كَالبَرق
وَسيوفand swords هندياتIndian منof صنعةthe workmanship of الشَرقthe East
وَسيوف هنديات من صنعة الشَرق
Their rifles flash upon the saddle horns like lightning,
O people of steeds, your steeds, release them,
And Indian swords of Eastern workmanship:
Above the saddles, your souls, forget them,
عَشرةten قَديمياتold ones شفراتهمtheir blades زرقblue
عَشرة قَديميات شفراتهم زرق
وَتحزمواand gird yourselves بِهِwith it ياO النَشاماbrave men حزاميa girding
وَتحزموا بِهِ يا النَشاما حزامي
Ten old swords with blue blades.
As for the towns you want to herd them,
And gird yourselves with them, brave men, with a firm girding.
Through them you roam, and through them wilderness.
وَعَشرةand ten فرودةpistols منfrom الكراخينthe factories جَنىthey came
وَعَشرة فرودة من الكراخين جَنى
يُومwhen الفشكthe cartridges ببطونهمinto their bellies وَلجنيentered
يُوم الفشك ببطونهم وَلجني
And ten pistols came from the factories.
From Azmir, they extended seeking lights,
When the cartridges entered their bellies,
The first day, they took them out on patrol,
تَجندواthey armed themselves يشدواthey saddle عَفاريتfierce demons جَنيof the jinn
تَجندوا يشدوا عَفاريت جَني
عَفييbravo العيالthe lads الليwho يشفونhit المَراميthe targets
عَفيي العيال اللي يشفون المَرامي
They armed themselves, saddling fierce demons of the jinn.
If they lingered like tired sand grouse,
Bravo to the lads who hit their marks!
Lost in oceans of darkness every year.
ياO هلpeople of الركابthe riding camels ركابكنyour riding camels ولموهنmake them ready
يا هل الركاب ركابكن ولموهن
فَوقatop الرِكابthe riding camels رواحكمyour souls وَدعوهنbid them farewell
فَوق الرِكاب رواحكم وَدعوهن
Riders, make your camels ready.
At dawn, ten Turks rang up,
Up on the camels, bid your own souls farewell.
Saying, “Our steeds were stolen today,”
أَماas for الديارthe lands الليthat تبواyou intend تسهجوهنto sweep through them
أَما الديار اللي تبوا تسهجوهن
بيهمin them تراكTurks وَبَعدand also بيهمin them رَواميGreeks
بيهم تراك وَبَعد بيهم رَوامي
As for the lands you intend to sweep through,
O friend, in their tongue, you don’t know,
There are Turks in them, and Greeks as well.
A guest has no esteem in their homeland.
مِنfrom أَزميرIzmir مَدواset out طالبينseeking المَصابيحthe lights
مِن أَزمير مَدوا طالبين المَصابيح
أَولthe first نَهارdaylight خذواtake عليهنupon them مَشاويحlong, sweeping strides
أَول نَهار خذوا عليهن مَشاويح
From Izmir, set out seeking the morning lights.
From behind nine bends,
At first daylight, set them striding out.
And from the lock, they became Jinn’s fingers,
إِنwhen ذوملواthey trot مثلlike النَعامthe ostriches المَدابيحslaughtered
إِن ذوملوا مثل النَعام المَدابيح
سَيدوحwill range on فيin بَحرa sea of الظَلاماتdarkness عاميswimming
سَيدوح في بَحر الظَلامات عامي
When they trot, like slaughtered ostriches,
O people of steeds, turn back north,
They will range on, swimming through a sea of darkness.
Take the right, expect guideposts.
فيwithin وقمa span (uncertain) عشرةten انقراAnkara التركof the Turks تلفونyou reach
في وقم عشرة انقرا الترك تلفون
أَصحواbeware تقولواof saying ركابناour riding camels لِيَومtoday تلفونyou find (uncertain)
أَصحوا تقولوا ركابنا لِيَوم تلفون
Within a span of ten, you will reach the Turks’ Ankara.
Udiyaar, Bukair, and Mardin in its hills,
Beware of saying, 'Today you will find our camels.'
Oh Halab Plain, rally behind it,
ياO ربعناour companions فيin لغاهمtheir speech ماnot تَعرفونyou know
يا ربعنا في لغاهم ما تَعرفون
وَالضيفand the guest مالواhas no فيin وَطنهمtheir homeland كراميhonor
وَالضيف مالوا في وَطنهم كرامي
Friends, you do not know their speech,
Hama and Homs, awaken and spend the night near it,
And a guest has no honor in their land.
Urgently to Fayhaan, receive my greetings.
عاto ادناAdana منfrom عقبafter تسعةnine لفنيthey arrived
عا ادنا من عقب تسعة لفني
وَمنand on القفلthe return صارواthey became صراصيعdarting creatures (uncertain) جنيof the jinn
وَمن القفل صاروا صراصيع جني
After nine, they arrive at Adana.
O you atop ten steeds,
And on the return, they became darting creatures of the jinn.
Retreat unto my family and helpers,
ياO هلpeople of الركابthe riding camels تولمواmake ready الشَرقعَنيhead east for me (dialect)
يا هل الركاب تولموا الشَرقعَني
خذواtake يَمينthe right توقعواwatch out للعلاميfor the landmarks
خذوا يَمين توقعوا للعلامي
Riders, make ready to head east for me.
The path ahead is difficult and the acacias thorny,
Take the right-hand route and watch for the landmarks.
To the plateau, to the meadows.
عديارtoward Diyar بكرBakr وماردينand Mardin بقفاهاbehind it
عديار بكر وماردين بقفاها
عاto حلبAleppo الشَهباthe Grey وَهليand my kin وَراهاbeyond it
عا حلب الشَهبا وَهلي وَراها
Toward Diyarbakir, with Mardin behind it,
Over there turn, Azir Fortress, O Thrush,
To Aleppo the Grey, with my kin beyond it.
Let them know, hardened at nightfall,
حماهHama وَحمصand Homs اصحواbeware تباتواof spending the night حداهاnear it
حماه وَحمص اصحوا تباتوا حداها
عاجلقat Jilliq الفَيحاءal-Fayha, the spacious تلقواyou find السَلاميpeace
عاجلق الفَيحاء تلقوا السَلامي
Hama and Homs—beware of spending the night nearby.
Honored beards, slaughterers of schemers and rams,
At Jilliq al-Fayha, you will find peace.
With bloody swords atop them, the clarified butter abundant.
ياO هيهhey يالليyou who فُوقare atop عَشرةten رَكايبriding camels
يا هيه ياللي فُوق عَشرة رَكايب
تقهقرواturn back ليfor me فُوقupon عيليthe tall ones النَجايبthe noble camels
تقهقروا لي فُوق عيلي النَجايب
Hey, you riders upon ten mounts!
O people of steeds, your steeds, accept them,
Turn back for me upon the tall, noble camels.
Facing the destinations, your steeds, house them,
الدَربthe road عانجهاtoward Najha وَهكand thus الشَطايبthe ravine tracks
الدَرب عانجها وَهك الشَطايب
عَلىtoward الجعيديal-Ju'aydi عَلىtoward بيارthe wells of الحماميal-Hamami
عَلى الجعيدي عَلى بيار الحمامي
Take the road toward Najha, then those ravine tracks,
Read the letter, deliver them in safety,
Toward al-Ju'aydi, toward the wells of al-Hamami.
They understand the meaning of my words’ composition.
هونيكthere تلفواyou reach ديرةthe land of العزhonor ياO طروشmessengers
هونيك تلفوا ديرة العز يا طروش
علميmy knowledge بهمof them صلفينproud and fierce فيin ساعةthe hour of الحُوشbattle
علمي بهم صلفين في ساعة الحُوش
There you will reach the land of honor, you messengers.
We were all, without doubt, blessed in our quest,
I know them as fierce men in the hour of battle.
We did not become conceited, O friend, and we were not arrogant,
كِرامnoble اللحىin beard ذباحةslaughterers of الحيلfull-grown she-camels وَكبوشand rams
كِرام اللحى ذباحة الحيل وَكبوش
بعوجbroad-bellied المناسفthe serving platters فوقهاupon them السَمنthe ghee عاميoverflowing
بعوج المناسف فوقها السَمن عامي
Men of noble beards, slaughterers of full-grown she-camels and rams,
We who crossed the seas, distanced ourselves,
Broad-bellied serving platters, their tops awash with ghee.
O Generous, we did not hand them over to gloaters and blamers.
ياO هلpeople of الرَكايبthe riding camels ركابكنyour camels ريضوهنlet them rest
يا هل الرَكايب ركابكن ريضوهن
بِوَجهin front of المَقاعدthe gathering places ركابكنyour camels نوخوهنmake them kneel
بِوَجه المَقاعد ركابكن نوخوهن
Riders, let your camels rest.
We came to your families, Azmir Fortress,
Before the gathering places, make your camels kneel.
You slaughtered many armies and regiments,
فضواopen الكتابthe letter الباعثوthat I sent سلموهنhand it to them
فضوا الكتاب الباعثو سلموهن
همthey يَفهمواunderstand مضمونthe substance of نَحوىthe drift of كَلاميmy words
هم يَفهموا مضمون نَحوى كَلامي
Open the letter I sent and hand it to them.
Well done, O Ma'rouf’s family, basil’s sellers,
They will understand the substance and drift of my words.
When the Europeans like pouring rain.
الكُلall مناof us بليسIblis (reading uncertain) غيبeclipsed سعدناour good fortune
الكُل منا بليس غيب سعدنا
لاuntil ماthat اندهكناwe were crushed ياO لربعcompanions ونسمدناand we were buried away
لا ما اندهكنا يا لربع ونسمدنا
For all of us, Iblis has eclipsed our good fortune.
The successors betrayed us before the traitors,
Until we were crushed, friends, and buried away.
May God reward them for what they do,
حناwe الَّذيare those who جواinto البحورهthe seas انبعدناwere sent far away
حنا الَّذي جوا البحوره انبعدنا
ياO جَوادJawad ماودهاit needs no شماتيgloating وَمَلاميand blame
يا جَواد ماودها شماتي وَمَلامي
We are the ones sent far away into the seas.
Whoever trusts them is undoubtedly insane,
Jawad, this calls for no gloating or blame.
Who feels safe with snakes, has no greetings from me.
جتناreached us فعايلكُمyour deeds عَلىin ديرةthe land of أزميرIzmir
جتنا فعايلكُم عَلى ديرة أزمير
إِنَّكُمthat you ذَبَحتواslaughtered منof العَساكرthe soldiers طَوابيرbattalions
إِنَّكُم ذَبَحتوا من العَساكر طَوابير
News of your deeds reached us in the land of Izmir:
The later ruins destroyed all the expanses,
That you slaughtered battalions of soldiers.
Look towards another clay jar then the valleys,
عَفييbravo بنيsons of مَعروفMa'ruf زبنrefuge of الغَناديرthe valiant
عَفيي بني مَعروف زبن الغَنادير
يُومwhen الفرنحيFrankish gunfire (uncertain) مثلlike رَشقa shower from الغماميthe clouds
يُوم الفرنحي مثل رَشق الغمامي
Bravo, Bani Ma'ruf, refuge of the valiant!
And Aqail, Halli was the emir of Henadi,
When Frankish gunfire fell like showers from the clouds.
Since Abu Hawash frame and pillar.
خانواthey betrayed بناus الساساتهمtheir rulers قبلbeforehand عالخونbent on treachery
خانوا بنا الساساتهم قبل عالخون
اللَهGod يجازيهمrequite them عَلىfor ماwhat يعملونthey do
اللَه يجازيهم عَلى ما يعملون
Their rulers betrayed us, bent on treachery beforehand.
And Bechir Jumblatt and Harfosh
May God requite them for what they do.
And Lebanon’s people who remained the burning passion,
الليwhoever وثقtrusted بهمthem لاno شكdoubt مَجنونmad
اللي وثق بهم لا شك مَجنون
مَنwhoever آمنtrusted الثعبانthe serpent مالوhas no سَلاميsafety
مَن آمن الثعبان مالو سَلامي
Whoever trusted them is surely mad.
The West’s great men, they became sellers of chickens,
Whoever trusts a serpent has no safety.
How they scrambled, paper bills went to the gallows.
الخلفbreach of faith خربruined قَبلbefore كُلall البَواديthe desert tribes
الخلف خرب قَبل كُل البَوادي
انظرlook at طناًTana (uncertain name) جرارJarrar ثُمthen الهَواديal-Hawadi
انظر طناً جرار ثُم الهَوادي
Breach of faith has ruined all the desert tribes before.
The later ruins destroyed all the tribes,
Look at Tana Jarrar, then al-Hawadi,
May God replace the evil of whoever was wicked,
وعقيلand Aqil هليmy kinsman كانwas ميرemir of الهناديthe Hanadi
وعقيل هلي كان مير الهنادي
منfrom قبلbefore أَبوAbu, father of هواشHawwash كوعbowed وَناميand slept
من قبل أَبو هواش كوع وَنامي
And Aqil, my kinsman, once emir of the Hanadi.
They made us, O Banu Uthman, trenches,
Before them, Abu Hawwash bowed and slept.
With help they collected our branches and twigs.
وَبَشيرand Bashir بكBey الجنبلاطيal-Jumblati وَحرفوشand Harfush
وَبَشير بك الجنبلاطي وَحرفوش
وَأَهلand the people of لبنانLebanon الليwho بقواremained جمرةthe embers of الهوشbattle
وَأَهل لبنان اللي بقوا جمرة الهوش
And Bashir Bey al-Jumblati, and Harfush,
In their sea many swimmers drowned,
And the people of Lebanon, who remained the embers of battle.
Abandoned, O you circling land and winds,
كبارthe great men of الغَربal-Gharb, the West جواتهمamong them صرواbecame فروشbedding
كبار الغَرب جواتهم صروا فروش
ياoh ماhow many هفواwere swept away كراتcharges راحَتwent عداميto ruin
يا ما هفوا كرات راحَت عدامي
The great men of al-Gharb lay flattened like bedding among them.
If they farmed it with graves and apples,
How many charges were swept away and lost to ruin!
The bow of Nada is perfect through them.
الخلفbreach of faith خربruined قبلbefore كُلall العَشايرthe tribes
الخلف خرب قبل كُل العَشاير
اللَهGod يَخلفconfound شورthe counsel of منwhoever كانwas شايرadvising
اللَه يَخلف شور من كان شاير
Breach of faith ruined all the tribes before.
Send prayers upon the Chosen One, Master of mankind,
May God confound the counsel of whoever advised it.
To intercede for us during the crowds of creation,
عملواthey made بنيsons of عثمانUthman ليناfor us حفايرpits
عملوا بني عثمان لينا حفاير
بالعونindeed جمواthey lopped off فروعناour branches وَالقراميand the rootstocks
بالعون جموا فروعنا وَالقرامي
Bani Uthman made pits for us.
At the moment when saliva in throats dries up,
Indeed, they lopped off our branches and our rootstocks.
On the Day of Resurrection when we are gathered.
فيin بحرهمtheir sea ياماhow many طمسsank كُلevery سباحswimmer
في بحرهم ياما طمس كُل سباح
هَبيتfool يالليO you who مدورseek الفودplunder ورباحand gain
هَبيت ياللي مدور الفود ورباح
In their sea, many a swimmer has gone under.
Fool, you seeker of plunder and gain!
لَوeven if يزرعواthey planted الدُنياthe world مقاثيmelon patches وَتُفاحand apple trees
لَو يزرعوا الدُنيا مقاثي وَتُفاح
قُوسthe bow of النَداdew فيin مثلهمtheir likeness بالتَماميexactly
قُوس النَدا في مثلهم بالتَمامي
Even if they planted the world with melon patches and apple trees,
The rainbow is their perfect likeness.
صلواinvoke blessings عَلىupon المختارthe Chosen One سَيدlord of المَخاليقall creatures
صلوا عَلى المختار سَيد المَخاليق
يَشفعmay he intercede لَناfor us عِندat ازدِحامthe crowding of المَخاليقthe creatures
يَشفع لَنا عِند ازدِحام المَخاليق
Bless the Chosen One, lord of all creatures.
May he intercede for us when the creatures crowd together,
فيin ساعةan hour ينشفdries up بهاduring it سايلflowing الريقsaliva
في ساعة ينشف بها سايل الريق
عِندَat الحَشرthe Gathering يومنon the day when تقومarises القياميthe Resurrection
عِندَ الحَشر يومن تقوم القيامي
In an hour when flowing saliva dries up,
At the Gathering, when the Resurrection comes.
Partial English translation: 132 of 140 Arabic lines translated.
Sol 6.1