ياO راكبينriders كوراًsaddles هجناriding-camels ضمراlean
يا راكبين كوراً هجنا ضمرا
يشدنthey resemble لخطافlike the swallows of السَحابthe clouds اجداهاthe swiftest of them
يشدن لخطاف السَحاب اجداها
O riders in saddles on lean riding-camels,
O riders of swift camels traveling by night
They resemble the swiftest swallows of the clouds.
Urging on the necks of clouds to hasten their pace
يشدنthey resemble قطاةa sandgrouse جافلةfleeing مَرعوبةfrightened
يشدن قطاة جافلة مَرعوبة
مِنfrom كَفthe grasp of هيلعa fierce pursuer خمهاlunged at it وَأَخطاهاand missed it
مِن كَف هيلع خمها وَأَخطاها
They resemble a frightened, fleeing sandgrouse,
Urging frightened, darting wild cats
Escaping a fierce pursuer's grasp, who lunged at it and missed.
Fleeing the strikes of gallant warriors and their blows
وليand mine مثلlike هيجاstartled ظَليماa male ostrich جافلfleeing
ولي مثل هيجا ظَليما جافل
منfrom ريحthe smell of دُخانsmoke الفَتيلthe fuse أَنشاهاroused it
من ريح دُخان الفَتيل أَنشاها
And mine are like a startled, fleeing male ostrich,
I too flee like them, a coward in the dark
Roused by the smell of smoke from a fuse.
Fleeing the smoke of the kindling wicks I lit
شَقحاpale reddish-white شناحاlong-limbed مُغفلاتunbranded هَرَبfleet
شَقحا شناحا مُغفلات هَرَب
بالرنكin color غُزلانgazelles of الفَلاthe wilderness يَشداهاresemble them
بالرنك غُزلان الفَلا يَشداها
Pale, long-limbed, unbranded, fleet,
Bounding, leaping, heedless in their haste
In color, desert gazelles resemble them.
The gazelles flee, their fawns unable to keep pace
مثلlike ريالriyal coins غَيرexcept انthat زوارهنtheir breasts
مثل ريال غَير ان زوارهن
مثلlike المجيديthe majidi coin الليwhich عليهاupon it صَداهاits tarnish
مثل المجيدي اللي عليها صَداها
Like riyal coins, except that their breasts
Like the visions of a dream, though their visitors
Are like majidi coins with tarnish upon them.
Are real as the echo resounding from a valley
عوصاتsturdy she-camels طفحاتhigh-held الرِقابnecks الطوعobedient
عوصات طفحات الرِقاب الطوع
مثلlike الظِباءgazelles الرُوسthe heads كَنهاas though they were إِياهاthose very ones
مثل الظِباء الرُوس كَنها إِياها
Sturdy, obedient she-camels, their necks held high,
Necks writhing, twisting, compliant
Their heads like gazelles', as though they were the very same.
Like the necks of gazelles it seems they are
وَعيونهنand their eyes يَشدنresemble مَقاييسmeasures of الدجىnight's darkness
وَعيونهن يَشدن مَقاييس الدجى
مِنfrom العجdust دُومalways جُفونهنtheir eyelids تَتَراهاshield them
مِن العج دُوم جُفونهن تَتَراها
And their eyes resemble measures of night's darkness;
And their eyes contend with the shades of night
Their eyelids continually shield them from dust.
As the kohl on their heavy lids can attest
ذراعانهنtheir forelegs مثلlike العمدpillars وَخفوفهنand their foot-pads
ذراعانهن مثل العمد وَخفوفهن
مثلlike الدَواشpounding blocks أَماas for قراصround loaves ذراهاtheir hump-tops
مثل الدَواش أَما قراص ذراها
Their forelegs are like pillars, and their foot-pads
Their arms like pillars, their ankles fine
Like pounding blocks; their hump-tops like round loaves.
Like bangles – and the bracelets on their wrists
وَفخاذهنand their thighs مثلlike الضُروفskin-bags الطفحoverflowing
وَفخاذهن مثل الضُروف الطفح
تسعينninety لَيلةnights مربعةspring-grazing بمفلاهاon their range
تسعين لَيلة مربعة بمفلاها
And their thighs are like overflowing skin-bags,
Their thighs like folded scrolls, ripe and full
After ninety nights of spring grazing on their range.
As if sculpted by the hand of a master of ninety perfect nights
عيراتshe-camels عاقطعfor crossing الفَيافيthe wastes ضمرlean
عيرات عاقطع الفَيافي ضمر
الطَردspeeding away مِنfrom دُورhomes of الصَحاباthe companions غَياهاtheir aim
الطَرد مِن دُور الصَحابا غَياها
Lean she-camels for crossing the wastes,
Beautiful brides like pearls from oyster shells
Speeding from their companions' homes is their aim.
In silks and satins have they been adorned
قُومواrise عَلَيهنupon them ياO مَراسيلmessengers of الغَواlonging
قُوموا عَلَيهن يا مَراسيل الغَوا
وَتولمواand prepare ياO أَهلpeople of النَضاlean riding-camels لِسَراهاfor their night journey
وَتولموا يا أَهل النَضا لِسَراها
Mount them, O messengers of longing,
With veils of thin Brussa silk
And prepare, O camelmen, for their night journey.
Above them wave plumes of the ostrich’s feathers
حُطواplace كوارsaddles of الميسhackberry wood فَوقupon ظُهورهنtheir backs
حُطوا كوار الميس فَوق ظُهورهن
عَملworkmanship of القَصيمQassim الليwhich بهمin them تَتَباهاyou take pride
عَمل القَصيم اللي بهم تَتَباها
Place hackberry-wood saddles upon their backs,
Their jewelry – the artisans of Iraq exhaust their skill
Workmanship from Qassim, in which you take pride.
Twisting gold wire and setting precious stones
مَكسورhammered عالدفاتonto the sideboards فضةsilver بيضةwhite
مَكسور عالدفات فضة بيضة
مِنfrom فُوقabove عمدانposts of الغَزالthe gazelle طَلاهاcoated them
مِن فُوق عمدان الغَزال طَلاها
White silver hammered onto the sideboards,
Were it not for the dust their guides whip up
Coating the gazelle-like posts from above.
The crows would swoop down and drink their blood
لاماwhen غَدَتbecame بالدلwith graceful bearing مثلlike اللعبةa doll
لاما غَدَت بالدل مثل اللعبة
وَمِنand of الحَريرsilk لبوسهاtheir garments وَكساهاand their coverings
وَمِن الحَرير لبوسها وَكساها
When, in their grace, they become like a doll,
Men of dignity, set out provisions of purest honey
Their garments and coverings are of silk.
And grape syrup as sweet as the kiss of a houri
وَسدcushions of المياركthe saddle seats منof بريسمsilk thread صافيpure
وَسد الميارك من بريسم صافي
مِنfrom فوقهمabove them ريشfeathers of الظَليمthe male ostrich زَهاهاadorned them
مِن فوقهم ريش الظَليم زَهاها
The saddle-seat cushions are of pure silk thread;
Arm yourselves with full battle gear
Above them, ostrich feathers adorn them.
Mount your steeds, drivers, and spare no whip
وَخراجهنand their saddlebags شغلworkmanship of العراقIraq الناهيthe finest
وَخراجهن شغل العراق الناهي
مِنof الخزشوفkhazshuf cloth حيوكهاtheir weave وَسداهاand their warp
مِن الخزشوف حيوكها وَسداها
And their saddlebags are Iraq's finest workmanship,
No coward who spouts excuses will live
Their weave and warp made of khazshuf cloth.
Only stalwart men can meet the challenge
وَلواليحand dangling tassels يشدنresemble غَطاريفnoble birds of الغَواlonging
وَلواليح يشدن غَطاريف الغَوا
غربانravens طلبseeking دمنتاًa midden تَنصاهاmaking for it
غربان طلب دمنتاً تَنصاها
And dangling tassels resemble the noble birds of longing,
Attack this honorable company
Ravens seeking a midden and making straight for it.
And rouse the nobles before the light of dawn can expose them
ياO أَهلpeople of النَضاlean riding-camels حطواpack زهاباprovisions ياسراًample
يا أَهل النَضا حطوا زهابا ياسراً
شَهدhoneycomb of الخَلاياthe hives وَزبدةand butter بسقاهاin its skin-bag
شَهد الخَلايا وَزبدة بسقاها
O camelmen, pack ample provisions:
The old adage says, O riders of fine camels
Honeycomb from the hives, and butter in its skin-bag.
Heed good advice before misfortune befalls your beasts
وَتجندواand arm yourselves ليfor me فيwith سِلاحweapons كاملcomplete
وَتجندوا لي في سِلاح كامل
ياO هلpeople of الركابriding-camels ركابكنyour mounts حفناهاwe have gathered round them
يا هل الركاب ركابكن حفناها
And arm yourselves for me with a full array of weapons.
Head west under cover of night
O camelmen, we have gathered round your mounts.
Let your camels graze while darkness hides your march
لاmay not عاشlive منhe who بالذلin submission يهذيbabbles قَلبوhis heart
لا عاش من بالذل يهذي قَلبو
أَماas for الفَرَجdeliverance وَدَهاit needs رِجالmen كَفاهاequal to it
أَما الفَرَج وَدَها رِجال كَفاها
May he not live whose heart babbles of submission!
The Turks cannot see in the black of night
As for deliverance, it needs men equal to it.
None among them can find his way in the dark
أتولمواmake ready ليfor me فَوقupon شَخصa mount نجبnoble-bred
أتولموا لي فَوق شَخص نجب
وَأَصحواand beware وَصاتthe charge of الحَيthe living one أَنlest يَنساهاhe forget it
وَأَصحوا وَصات الحَي أَن يَنساها
Make ready for me upon a noble mount,
When you reach the Bedouin at the mountain pass
And beware lest the living man's charge be forgotten.
And the open plain where the winds blow wild
قالsaid المثلthe proverb ياO أَهلpeople of الركابriding-camels الطوعobedient
قال المثل يا أَهل الركاب الطوع
قَبلaccept النَصيحةadvice فيat the price of جملa camel شرواهاlike these
قَبل النَصيحة في جمل شرواها
The proverb says, O riders of obedient camels:
Fear not for your party if it flees
Accept advice at the price of a camel like these.
The enemy cannot track them once scattered
الاthe (word fragment) وَلهfirst (word fragment) بِأَرضin the land of التراكthe Turks تيسرواmake your way
الا وَله بِأَرض التراك تيسروا
بِاللَيلby night خليlet هجنكنyour riding-camels مَمشاهاtheir travel
بِاللَيل خلي هجنكن مَمشاها
First, make your way through the land of the Turks;
Your camels and their riders –
Let your riding-camels travel by night.
Entrust them to the Lord of Majesty who protects all
التركthe Turks لاwhen ضبcloses in الظَلامdarkness تَبوخgrow still
الترك لا ضب الظَلام تَبوخ
ماnot مِنهمamong them الليone who بالدُجىin darkness يَدعاهاventures along it
ما مِنهم اللي بالدُجى يَدعاها
When darkness closes in, the Turks grow still;
Follow the path of kindness eastward
Not one of them takes to the road in darkness.
Let your faith guide you straight as arrows
وَلياand when لفيتواyou arrive عاat معاطينwatering places of العَربthe Arabs
وَليا لفيتوا عا معاطين العَرب
فيin ديرةthe land of الشَهباAleppo (al-Shahba) وَبرand the open country فَلاهاits wilderness
في ديرة الشَهبا وَبر فَلاها
And when you reach the Arabs' watering places,
From Qoshtamtinyyeh when she departed
In Aleppo's land and its desert wastes,
Would that her lowliest part become her highest
تحذرواbe wary أَماas for نضاكمyour riding-camels هَربfleet
تحذروا أَما نضاكم هَرب
وَلاand not ضنتيmy expectation الطرادpursuing horsemen يَتَمثناهاcan catch them
وَلا ضنتي الطراد يَتَمثناها
Be wary, though your camels are fleet;
Four days from now at the bugle’s call
Yet I do not think pursuing horsemen can catch them.
Your caravan must resume its march
الهجنthe riding-camels وَالليand those who معتلينare astride ظهورهنtheir backs
الهجن وَاللي معتلين ظهورهن
لشعيبto Shu'ayb سَيدmaster of الكُلall دَركناهاwe have entrusted them
لشعيب سَيد الكُل دَركناها
The riding-camels and those astride their backs—
From there turn from Siwas and avoid it
We have entrusted them to Shu'ayb, master of all.
Skirting Acisarayia where the road bends
مدواpress onward عَلىunder يَدthe hand of الكَريمthe Generous One مَشرقeastward
مدوا عَلى يَد الكَريم مَشرق
خلواlet الرسانthe reins إيمانكمyour right hands تدعاهاguide them
خلوا الرسان إيمانكم تدعاها
Press eastward under the Generous One's hand;
Twenty days after your departure
Let your right hands guide the reins.
When you hear the bugle, halt and rest
منfrom قسطمونيKastamonu العزpride يَومthe day of فراقهاleaving it
من قسطموني العز يَوم فراقها
ياoh ريتwould that أَسفلهاits lowest part يَصيرbecomes أَعلاهاits highest part
يا ريت أَسفلها يَصير أَعلاها
From proud Kastamonu, on the day of leaving it,
From there take the clear road to Mardeen
Would that its lowest part became its highest!
Ancient towns and ruins all tumbled down
منfrom عقبafter رابعthe fourth يَومday تلفونyou reach أَنقرهAnkara
من عقب رابع يَوم تلفون أَنقره
لاno بُدavoiding it دَربthe road الهجنthe riding-camels يتمشاهاtravel along it
لا بُد دَرب الهجن يتمشاها
After the fourth day, you will reach Ankara;
When next the new moon rises into view
The riding-camels must travel that road.
You will reach Aleppo and all its environs
وَمِنهاand from it عَلىtoward سيواسSivas ميلواturn aside عَنهاaway from it
وَمِنها عَلى سيواس ميلوا عَنها
عاقيسريةtoward Kayseri الدَربthe road يتخطاهاpasses through it
عاقيسرية الدَرب يتخطاها
And from there, turn away toward Sivas;
Hamah, Homs and Antioch the Blessed
The road passes through Kayseri.
The abode of song where musicians play their lutes
ولياand when مَضىhave passed عشرينtwenty منof ممشاكمyour journey
وليا مَضى عشرين من ممشاكم
عاto اذناAdana تلفونyou arrive حينwhen مساهاits evening falls
عا اذنا تلفون حين مساها
And when twenty days of your journey have passed,
In Damascus rest, O brave warriors!
You will reach Adana as evening falls.
God protect the lands of the Turks from harm
مِنهاfrom it عَلىtoward مرعشMarash طَريقa road واضحclear
مِنها عَلى مرعش طَريق واضح
عاtoward ماردينMardin وَديارand Diyar- يكرBakir قَفاهاbeyond it
عا ماردين وَديار يكر قَفاها
From there, a clear road leads to Marash,
Then proceed in safety through fertile plains
Toward Mardin, with Diyarbakir beyond it.
And greet the dawn as your road bends south
فيat غرةthe beginning of الشَهرthe month الجَديدnew المُقبلcoming
في غرة الشَهر الجَديد المُقبل
مَلفاكمyour destination الشَهباAleppo (al-Shahba) وَكُلand all فَلاهاits open country
مَلفاكم الشَهبا وَكُل فَلاها
At the beginning of the coming new month,
From Birak along the verdant valley
Your destination is Aleppo and all its open country.
To Slim, where the caravan road winds
حماهHama وَحُمصand Homs وَهونواand take your ease بِالفَيحاin al-Fayha (Damascus)
حماه وَحُمص وَهونوا بِالفَيحا
حبيmy beloved البلادlands الليwhich بهمin them طرباهاdelight in them
حبي البلاد اللي بهم طرباها
Hama and Homs; take your ease in al-Fayha,
My destination, Swedia, where none would host
The lands I love, where I find delight.
A house that gives shelter to strange tongues tomorrow
بالشامin Damascus ريحواrest ياO مَراسيلmessengers of الغواlonging
بالشام ريحوا يا مَراسيل الغوا
ياO رَبLord ديرانlands of التراكthe Turks أَفداهاI would ransom it
يا رَب ديران التراك أَفداها
Rest in Damascus, O messengers of longing.
Your splendid manor rises tall and proud
O Lord, I would ransom it with the Turks' lands!
God forbid it be touched by any hand but yours
مِنهاfrom it عَلىby مَدthe outstretched hand of الكَريمthe Generous One تَيسرواmake your way
مِنها عَلى مَد الكَريم تَيسروا
وَالصُبحand at dawn نحبهاurge them on الدَربthe road يَتغشلاهاenfolds them
وَالصُبح نحبها الدَرب يَتغشلاها
From there, proceed by the Generous One's outstretched hand;
In Latakia lodge your fine steeds
And at dawn, urge them on; the road will enfold them.
Where mighty lions sharpen their claws
مِنfrom براقBuraq عاto واديthe valley of اللواal-Liwa عشهباto Shahba
مِن براق عا وادي اللوا عشهبا
عاto سليمSalim دَربthe road of الهجنthe riding-camels مِنfrom بحذاهاbeside it
عا سليم دَرب الهجن مِن بحذاها
From Buraq to Wadi al-Liwa, on to Shahba,
Dismount and rest, O valiant warriors,
On to Salim; the camels' road runs beside it.
Among the dens of the fierce lionesses they’ve sired
قَصديmy destination السويداSuwayda لاwhen يَضيفواthey lodge as guests فيهاin it
قَصدي السويدا لا يَضيفوا فيها
داراًa home بِهاin it غدhas become اللغاتtongues; speech أَعزاهاthe most honored of them
داراً بِها غد اللغات أَعزاها
My destination is Suwayda, when they lodge there as guests,
Take refuge in the island’s rugged caves
A home where speech has become most honored.
Where the lion of dignity made his abode
يُبديappear مَناظركمbefore your eyes قُصوراًpalaces شمخsoaring
يُبدي مَناظركم قُصوراً شمخ
ياO رَبLord لاnot تثلمcrumble عَمَنover those who بَناهاbuilt them
يا رَب لا تثلم عَمَن بَناها
Soaring palaces will appear before your eyes;
O you whose friendship is treaty and troth
O Lord, may they not crumble over those who built them.
O you who dons the necklace of commitment
مَلفاthe destination of ركايبكمyour riding-camels لحوداًtombs زرشmassive
مَلفا ركايبكم لحوداً زرش
فيهمin them عِظامbones of الليthose whom الجبلthe Mountain عذاهاnourished them
فيهم عِظام اللي الجبل عذاها
Your camels' destination is massive tombs;
O exemplar of munificence, master of bounty
In them lie the bones of those the Mountain nourished.
O Antar of knights in valor and chivalry
نُوخواmake the camels kneel وَريحواand rest ياO مَراسيلmessengers of الغَواlonging
نُوخوا وَريحوا يا مَراسيل الغَوا
فيin حَيthe abode of لَيثa lion الغانِماتglorious deeds نَشاهاfostered them
في حَي لَيث الغانِمات نَشاها
Make the camels kneel and rest, O messengers of longing,
O protector, savior, valiant lion in war
In the abode of a lion who fostered glorious deeds.
O vanquisher, ever gaining the advantage
انخواcall upon مَواطينthe dwellers of اللحودthe tombs الدرشbroad
انخوا مَواطين اللحود الدرش
راعيkeeper of الشَهامةchivalry قَطever ماnot خلاهاforsook it
راعي الشَهامة قَط ما خلاها
Call on the dwellers of the broad tombs,
O man of high and noble qualities
The man of chivalry who never forsook it.
The trumpet of glory never sounds its note in vain
ياO راحةsolace of المنضامthe oppressed ياO خوbrother of بلشهBalsha
يا راحة المنضام يا خو بلشه
ياO زبنrefuge of منher who لبستwore حلقearrings بذناهاin her ears
يا زبن من لبست حلق بذناها
O solace of the oppressed, O brother of Balsha!
O just arbiter judging true like Kisra himself
O refuge of her who wears earrings in her ears!
Guiding all with honesty as his tradition
ياO حاتمHatim الجوداتacts of generosity ياO سيدmaster of الكَرَمbounty
يا حاتم الجودات يا سيد الكَرَم
ياO عَنتَرAntar الفُرسانthe horsemen فيin لقواهاtheir meeting in battle
يا عَنتَر الفُرسان في لقواها
O Hatim of generous deeds, O master of bounty!
O bearer of the name made famous for its nobility
O Antar of the horsemen when they meet in battle!
The banner of the Prophet, known for those who carry it
ياO صلviper ياO صلصيلmighty serpent ياO لَيثlion of الوَغىbattle's tumult
يا صل يا صلصيل يا لَيث الوَغى
ياO كاسبwinner of النوماسhonor منfrom مبداهاits beginning
يا كاسب النوماس من مبداها
O viper, O mighty serpent, O lion of battle's tumult!
O victor, Abu Muhammad, master
O winner of honor from the very beginning!
Of horse and rider together as one
ياO صاحبpossessor of الهمةresolve العليةlofty الفاضلthe noble one
يا صاحب الهمة العلية الفاضل
وَالبُوقand treachery عَمروin his lifetime ماnever قضبgrasped تلواهاits tail
وَالبُوق عَمرو ما قضب تلواها
O noble man of lofty resolve!
O tireless bearer of heavy burdens
And never in his life did he grasp treachery's tail.
O pillar, stronghold, place of sanctuary
ياO عادِلاًa just man بالحَقin truth تَشبَهyou resemble كِسرىKisra
يا عادِلاً بالحَق تَشبَه كِسرى
دَربthe path of الأَمانةfidelity سابِقاًforemost جداهاtrod it
دَرب الأَمانة سابِقاً جداها
O man just in truth, resembling Kisra,
O master, Emir of the Mount, absent but never forgotten
First to tread the path of fidelity.
O towering mountain peak, its slopes and cliffs
ياO صاحبbearer of الاسمthe name الشَهيرrenowned بِالمَلاamong the people
يا صاحب الاسم الشَهير بِالمَلا
بيرقa banner of نَبيa prophet مَعروفknown عَنto أَتلاهاits followers
بيرق نَبي مَعروف عَن أَتلاها
O bearer of the name renowned among the people,
O provider of fine steeds for worthy men
A prophet's banner, known to those who follow it.
But none when the miser comes begging
ياO كاسبwinner of النُوماسhonor ياO أَبوfather of محمدMuhammad
يا كاسب النُوماس يا أَبو محمد
ياO سَيدmaster of منthose who ركبmounted الفرسthe horse وَرخاهاand gave it its head
يا سَيد من ركب الفرس وَرخاها
O winner of honor, O Abu Muhammad!
O lord of the great and spacious manor
O master of those who mount the horse and give it its head!
Who raises the orphan child with kindness and love
ياO ناهضbearer of الحَملthe burden الثَقيلheavy الباهظcrushing
يا ناهض الحَمل الثَقيل الباهظ
ياO حيدcrag ياO حمالburden-bearer ياO ملجاهاtheir refuge
يا حيد يا حمال يا ملجاها
O bearer of the heavy, crushing burden!
O cloak of the naked, O pillar of strength
O crag, O burden-bearer, O refuge for them!
Support of the fallen during times of affliction
ياO سَيدlord ياO ميرemir of الجبلthe Mountain ياO غيهبdark, mighty one
يا سَيد يا مير الجبل يا غيهب
ياO طودgreat mountain نابيtowering سهلهاits plains وَمرقاهاand its heights
يا طود نابي سهلها وَمرقاها
O lord, O emir of the Mountain, O dark, mighty one!
O fierce, valiant lion in combat
O mountain towering over its plains and heights!
Ruthless to the foe who never feared his blows
ياO ريفpasture for ركاباriding-camels هاشلاتwandering هذلgaunt
يا ريف ركابا هاشلات هذل
يُومwhen البَخيلthe miser كسيرنوhis scraps خباهاhid them
يُوم البَخيل كسيرنو خباها
O pasture for wandering, gaunt riding-camels,
Bountiful Giver, Bestower of gifts, glorious, magnanimous
When the miser hides his scraps.
Steadfast - though the buckets fill the trough to overflowing
ياO صاحبmaster of البيتthe house الكَبيرgreat الواسعspacious
يا صاحب البيت الكَبير الواسع
ياhow ماmany يتامىorphans بالغَلاamid dearth رباهاhe raised them
يا ما يتامى بالغَلا رباها
O master of the great, spacious house!
If others depend on you despite their wealth
How many orphans he raised through times of dearth!
You care for your neighbor though needy and destitute
ياO كاسيone who clothes العريانthe naked ياO خوبلشهbrother of Balsha
يا كاسي العريان يا خوبلشه
ياO مُنجدrescuer of المَضيومthe oppressed فيin بَلوهاtheir affliction
يا مُنجد المَضيوم في بَلوها
O clot her of the naked, O brother of Balsha!
For you are kind and virtuous, noble and free
O rescuer of the oppressed in their affliction!
Keeper of trusts, loyal to every oath
ياO ليثlion ياO صنديدchampion حراfree-born هيلعfierce
يا ليث يا صنديد حرا هيلع
ريبالmighty lion ماnever عمروin his life العديthe enemies يَخشاهاhe fears them
ريبال ما عمرو العدي يَخشاها
O lion, O champion, free-born and fierce,
Elders of the mountain, your command we obey
A mighty lion who never in his life feared the foe.
Wherever justice dictates, we will follow your way
كسابwinner وَهابlavish giver of الجدايلlong-maned mares ماجدnoble
كساب وَهاب الجدايل ماجد
هداجHaddaj لَوeven if كبرgrew large الدَلوthe bucket مَلاهاfilled it
هداج لَو كبر الدَلو مَلاها
A noble winner and lavish giver of long-maned mares,
Having traversed the distances, blessings on the Prophet
Haddaj: however large the bucket, he fills it.
The Chosen, whose fragrance spread near and far
إِنif صارfalls عاجيرانupon the neighbors of غيركanyone other than you ثقلهa burden
إِن صار عاجيران غيرك ثقله
جاركyour neighbor معذهhis refuge ذروتوhis summit بعلاهاat its height
جارك معذه ذروتو بعلاها
If burdens fall upon another's neighbors,
Intercede for us on the momentous day to come
Your neighbor's refuge lies upon his highest crest.
When a man’s deeds, laid bare, he will hope are excused
إِنكَyou are indeed كَريمgenerous of النَفسsoul حراًfree-born فاضلnoble
إِنكَ كَريم النَفس حراً فاضل
راعيguardian of الأَمانةfidelity الليwhose اتلوafter him جذواهاits glowing embers
راعي الأَمانة اللي اتلو جذواها
You are generous of soul, free-born and noble,
Guardian of fidelity, whose embers remain after him.
شُيوخsheikhs of الجَبَلthe Mountain منfrom عقبكمafter you هاتgive me ايدكyour hand
شُيوخ الجَبَل من عقبكم هات ايدك
منfrom أَينwhere ماever رادwished العَدلjustice عراهاstripped it bare
من أَين ما راد العَدل عراها
The Mountain's sheikhs after you—give me your hand!
Wherever they wished, they stripped justice bare.
مِنfrom بَعدafter ماwhat خطيناwe have written نصليwe invoke blessings عَلىupon النَبيthe Prophet
مِن بَعد ما خطينا نصلي عَلى النَبي
المصطَفىthe Chosen One الليwhose فاحwafted مسكmusk طراهاhis remembrance
المصطَفى اللي فاح مسك طراها
After what we have written, we invoke blessings upon the Prophet,
The Chosen One, whose remembrance wafts like musk.
يَشفَعmay he intercede لَناfor us مِنagainst هولthe terror of يُومa day مقبلto come
يَشفَع لَنا مِن هول يُوم مقبل
فيهِon it أَعمالdeeds of الرَجُلthe man يترجاهاhe pins his hopes on them
فيهِ أَعمال الرَجُل يترجاها
May he intercede for us against the terror of a day to come,
When a man will rest his hopes upon his deeds.
Partial English translation: 116 of 124 Arabic lines translated.
Sol 6.1