غَنىsang المَعنىthe grief-stricken one مِنfrom فُؤادa heart موجعaching
غَنى المَعنى مِن فُؤاد موجع
دَمعtears البَيابيthe pupils فُوقupon خَديmy cheek فارoverflowed
دَمع البَيابي فُوق خَدي فار
The grief-stricken singer sang from an aching heart.
A suffering heart sang with meaning,
Tears from my pupils overflowed upon my cheek.
My tears flowed over my cheeks,
عُيونيmy eyes تهلpour الدَمعtears مِنfrom واهجburning heat النياseparation
عُيوني تهل الدَمع مِن واهج النيا
مِنfrom فَوقabove سحلاتsmooth slopes الخُدودthe cheeks غزارabundantly
مِن فَوق سحلات الخُدود غزار
My eyes pour tears from separation's burning heat,
My eyes shed tears of sorrow,
Abundantly over the smooth slopes of my cheeks.
Pouring down my sunken cheeks.
كَنعورةlike a waterwheel الدُولابthe wheel تسمعyou hear حَنينهاits moaning
كَنعورة الدُولاب تسمع حَنينها
وَرشقand spray عَلىthroughout طُولthe length المَدىthe duration فوارsurging
وَرشق عَلى طُول المَدى فوار
Like the waterwheel, whose moaning you can hear,
Like the creaking of a waterwheel its groan is heard,
Its spray keeps surging endlessly.
And its flow is constant over the long course.
قرحulcerated جُفونيmy eyelids دَمعtears عَينيof my eye مِنfrom البُكاweeping
قرح جُفوني دَمع عَيني مِن البُكا
حادرdescending سَكيبهits stream عَالخدودupon the cheeks حمارred
حادر سَكيبه عَالخدود حمار
My eyes' tears have ulcerated my eyelids through weeping,
The tears of my eyes have wounded my eyelids out of crying,
Their stream descending red upon my cheeks.
Whose downpour on my cheeks is copious.
ياO عينeye قريbe still وَاهجَعيand rest ياO معثرةunfortunate one
يا عين قري وَاهجَعي يا معثرة
مِنكَfrom you أَفلfaded نُوركyour light وَوَجهكand your surface غارsank
مِنكَ أَفل نُورك وَوَجهك غار
O eye, be still and rest, you wretched one;
O eye, sleep and rest, o troubler,
Your light has faded, and your surface has sunk.
Your light has dimmed and your face darkened.
عَلامكwhy do you دَعيتينيmake me عيللاill موجعاaching
عَلامك دَعيتيني عيللا موجعا
وَدَمعكand your tears علىthroughout طُولthe length المَدىthe duration شرارsparks
وَدَمعك على طُول المَدى شرار
Why have you made me sick and aching,
Why have you made me painfully suffering,
With your tears forever flying like sparks?
While your tears flow constantly?
أَناI خايفfearful أَنوthat it يذهبwill disappear النُورthe light كلهall of it
أَنا خايف أَنو يذهب النُور كله
وَتَغديand you become كَسيحةcrippled مِنfrom البُكاweeping عَالدارat home
وَتَغدي كَسيحة مِن البُكا عَالدار
I fear that all your light will disappear,
I fear all the light will go away,
And weeping will leave you crippled at home.
And you will become like a sack full of tears in the house.
ردتanswered عليme العينthe eye منthrough دَمعةa tear النياof separation
ردت علي العين من دَمعة النيا
وَتقولand says شبليShibli عَالمَدىforever تذكارremembrance
وَتقول شبلي عَالمَدى تذكار
My eye answered me through separation's tears,
The eye answered me from a tear of sorrow,
Saying: Shibli, remembrance never ends.
And said: Young man, remember me over the course.
لاsurely نوحI lament ماas long as ناحlamented الحَمامthe dove المطوقring-necked
لا نوح ما ناح الحَمام المطوق
وَابكيand I weep كَماas بَكىwept الغرابthe raven وَقارand cawed
وَابكي كَما بَكى الغراب وَقار
I shall lament as long as the ring-necked dove laments,
Do not wail like a confined pigeon,
And weep as the raven wept and cawed.
And cry like the raven did constantly.
أَناI الذَنبthe blame ماnot هوis كلهall of it عليupon me
أَنا الذَنب ما هو كله علي
تَرىyou see القَلبthe heart معطىhas given عَالنَحيبfor wailing قَرارa decree
تَرى القَلب معطى عَالنَحيب قَرار
The blame is not all mine;
It is not all my fault,
The heart, you see, has decreed this wailing.
See, the heart has decided to moan.
إِنيI قُلتsaid لِلقَلبto the heart المَشقَهafflicted وَلمتهand reproached it
إِني قُلت لِلقَلب المَشقَه وَلمته
بِخطابwith an address مثلlike الصَبرaloe مُرbitter وَحارand hot
بِخطاب مثل الصَبر مُر وَحار
I spoke to the afflicted heart and reproached it
I have told the pained heart, and blamed it
With words as bitter as aloe and burning hot.
With speech like bitter patience.
ياO قَلبheart خليspare العينthe eye عَنكfrom you مِنfrom البُكاweeping
يا قَلب خلي العين عَنك مِن البُكا
إِذاif راحَgoes نُورthe light العينof the eye كَيفhow اِندارshall I manage
إِذا راحَ نُور العين كَيف اِندار
O heart, spare the eye your weeping;
O heart, restrain the eye from crying,
If the eye's light goes, how shall I manage?
If the eye's light goes away, how can it be lit again?
ياO قَلبheart انهىforbid العَينthe eye عَنfrom دَمعةa tear النياof separation
يا قَلب انهى العَين عَن دَمعة النيا
طاوعheed كَلاميmy words وَلِلنَحيبand for wailing دَمارan end
طاوع كَلامي وَلِلنَحيب دَمار
O heart, forbid the eye separation's tears;
O heart, end the eye's tear of sorrow,
Heed my words and put an end to wailing.
Obey my words and destroy the moaning.
القَلبthe heart عَياrefused قالsaid ناريmy fire مشعشعةblazing
القَلب عَيا قال ناري مشعشعة
لَهاit has بينbetween كَبديmy liver وَالضُلوعand the ribs شرارsparks
لَها بين كَبدي وَالضُلوع شرار
The heart refused, saying: My fire is blazing;
The heart replied: My fire is blazing,
Its sparks lie between my liver and my ribs.
With sparks between my liver and ribs.
ياO قَلبheart ياO مَأَلومreproached one ياO شينwretched one خلناleave us
يا قَلب يا مَأَلوم يا شين خلنا
عَذابيmy torment تَرىyou see وَفوقand above الشحارmisery شحارmisery
عَذابي تَرى وَفوق الشحار شحار
O heart, reproached and wretched, leave us be;
O heart, o afflicted, o miserable with distance, relieve us
You see my torment—misery piled upon misery.
Of my torment, you see, and over barren land, more barren land.
قُليit told me عَذابكyour agony فيin لظابكyour flames مِنfrom الجَفاestrangement
قُلي عَذابك في لظابك مِن الجَفا
وَسَهمand the arrow الجَفاof estrangement ماليI have no عَلَيهِagainst it قدارpower
وَسَهم الجَفا مالي عَلَيهِ قدار
It told me: Your agony and blazing flames come from estrangement;
Tell me of your agony in your suffering from estrangement,
I have no power against estrangement's arrow.
While the arrow of estrangement I have no control over.
أَناI البُعدseparation هدbroke عَزمthe firmness حبليof my rope وَقوتيand my strength
أَنا البُعد هد عَزم حبلي وَقوتي
وَادعاand made رَكانthe pillars النايباتthe calamities دَمارruin
وَادعا رَكان النايبات دَمار
Separation has broken my firm resolve and strength,
Distance has sapped my strength and stamina,
And laid the pillars low through calamities.
And called for the destruction of lamentations.
مَنwhoever ذاقtasted سَهمthe arrow البُعدof separation وَالهَجرand abandonment وَالجَفاand estrangement
مَن ذاق سَهم البُعد وَالهَجر وَالجَفا
مِنfrom واهجهits burning heat صَبريmy patience فرغran out وَاحتارand became bewildered
مِن واهجه صَبري فرغ وَاحتار
Whoever has tasted the arrow of distance, abandonment, and estrangement—
Whoever has tasted the arrow of distance, estrangement and abandonment,
Its burning has exhausted my patience and left me bewildered.
My patience has emptied out from its intensity and I am perplexed.
أَناI قُلتsaid للعينto the eye السَخيةgenerous تَهلهليpour freely
أَنا قُلت للعين السَخية تَهلهلي
وَخليand let دُموعكyour tears عَالخُدودupon the cheeks نَهارbe rivers
وَخلي دُموعك عَالخُدود نَهار
I told my generous eye: Pour freely;
I have told the generous eye to cease flowing,
Let your tears become rivers upon your cheeks.
And let your tears run down your cheeks in daylight.
ياO قَلبheart يَكفىenough الجُوحanguish وَالنوحand lamentation وَالبكاand weeping
يا قَلب يَكفى الجُوح وَالنوح وَالبكا
وَيَكفيand enough لَهيبيmy blaze فيin الحَشاthe breast وَسعارand raging heat
وَيَكفي لَهيبي في الحَشا وَسعار
O heart, enough of anguish, lamentation, and weeping;
O heart, enough of anguish, crying and weeping,
Enough of my inward blaze and raging heat.
And enough of my flames in the darkness and sparks.
حَريقيmy burning وَناريand my fire وَالدُموعand the tears الَّتيthat جَرَتflowed
حَريقي وَناري وَالدُموع الَّتي جَرَت
سَقَتنيmade me drink بِكاساتfrom cups العَذابof torment مرارbitterness
سَقَتني بِكاسات العَذاب مرار
My burning, my fire, and the tears that flowed
My blazing fire, and my tears that have flowed
Made me drink bitterness from cups of torment.
Have quenched me with cups of torment time and again.
إِنindeed جاهدكI implore you بِاللَهby God ياO قَلبheart تَنتَهيto stop
إِن جاهدك بِاللَه يا قَلب تَنتَهي
كفيspare مُهجَتيmy soul مِنكَfrom you عَذابtorment دوارever-returning
كفي مُهجَتي مِنكَ عَذاب دوار
I implore you by God, O heart, to stop;
If I plead to you by God, o heart, you will stop,
Spare my soul your ever-returning torment.
End my suffering from you, the torment that turns me dizzy.
ياO شينwretched one ياO مَهجورabandoned one بِالبُعدin separation حلناleave us
يا شين يا مَهجور بِالبُعد حلنا
لَعلperhaps ريحكyour wind بِالصَفاtoward serenity يندارwill turn
لَعل ريحك بِالصَفا يندار
You wretched, abandoned one, leave us our distance;
O miserable, o abandoned by distance, relieve us,
Perhaps your wind will turn toward serenity.
Perhaps your grief will clear up with wellness.
وَاصبرand be patient لعلperhaps الصَبرpatience مَقرونjoined بِالفَرَجto relief
وَاصبر لعل الصَبر مَقرون بِالفَرَج
وَلاand not كُلevery مَبليafflicted person عَالبلاunder affliction صبارenduring
وَلا كُل مَبلي عَالبلا صبار
Be patient; perhaps patience is joined to relief;
And be patient, perhaps patience is coupled with relief,
Not everyone afflicted can endure affliction.
And not every afflicted one can handle tribulation with patience.
أَناas for me القَلبthe heart قُليtold me الجوحthe anguish كلوall of it عليupon me
أَنا القَلب قُلي الجوح كلو علي
وَناسيand forgetting مضاربthe blows دَهرناof our age الغَدارtreacherous
وَناسي مضارب دَهرنا الغَدار
The heart told me: You lay all the anguish upon me,
I, the heart, tell you: bear my anguish,
Forgetting the blows of our treacherous age.
And forget the deceit of our times, the betrayer.
لَولاwere it not for صُروفthe reversals الدَهرof time ماnot كانَwould have ضامنيoppressed me
لَولا صُروف الدَهر ما كانَ ضامني
وَلاand not كانwould be فيin جوفيmy depths صَدىrust وَكدارand murk
وَلا كان في جوفي صَدى وَكدار
Had it not been for time's reversals, nothing would have oppressed me,
If it were not for the changing of fate I would not have blamed it,
Nor would rust and murk have filled my depths.
And there would be no echo of tumult inside me.
خليplace مَلامكyour blame عَالزَمانupon time الَّذيthat مَضىpassed
خلي مَلامك عَالزَمان الَّذي مَضى
سَقىmade drink الكُلeveryone مِناof us عَلقماًcolocynth وَمرارand bitterness
سَقى الكُل مِنا عَلقماً وَمرار
Lay your blame upon the time that has passed;
Leave your blame on the time that has passed,
It made every one of us drink colocynth and bitterness.
Which gave us all bitter aloe to drink, and bitterness.
وَراعيand consider صُروفthe reversals الغادراتtreacherous اللَياليof the nights
وَراعي صُروف الغادرات اللَيالي
وَلومand blame الزَمانtime الصارمharsh البتارsevering
وَلوم الزَمان الصارم البتار
Consider the reversals of the treacherous nights,
And watch the changing nights’ betrayals,
And blame the harsh, severing age.
And blame the stern, mutilating times.
إِنيI قُلتsaid لِلقَلبto the heart المشقىtormented وَلمتهand reproached it
إِني قُلت لِلقَلب المشقى وَلمته
يَكفاكenough for you مِناof us ماwhat جَرىhappened وَماand what صارcame to pass
يَكفاك مِنا ما جَرى وَما صار
I spoke to the tormented heart and reproached it:
I have told the pained heart and blamed it:
Enough of what has happened to us and come to pass.
Enough of what has happened and what came to be.
ياO عينspring بَطحاof the open plain الزالقةslippery ياO زَمانناour time
يا عين بَطحا الزالقة يا زَماننا
ياO دَهرage ياO ميشومill-omened one ياO حيارbewildering one
يا دَهر يا ميشوم يا حيار
O spring of the slippery plain, O our time,
O eye, o slick times, o our deceitful fate,
O age, ill-omened and bewildering!
O time, o inauspicious, o confusing.
ياO دَهرage وشلكwhat business have you بسat all ياO شينwretched one عِندَناwith us
يا دَهر وشلك بس يا شين عِندَنا
حَتّىuntil دَعيتyou made الغانمينthe worthy men حقارdespised
حَتّى دَعيت الغانمين حقار
O age, what business have you with us, you wretched thing,
O time, how much evil you have shown us!
That you have made worthy men despised?
You have made even the fortunate feel lowly.
حَتّىuntil دَعيتyou made الكُلeveryone مِناof us جَلايبdriven exiles
حَتّى دَعيت الكُل مِنا جَلايب
لَجاياrefugees بديرانin the lands التراكof the Turks حذارfearful
لَجايا بديران التراك حذار
That you have made every one of us driven exiles,
You have made us all into cowards,
Fearful refugees in the lands of the Turks?
Who have fled to the monasteries for fear.
ياO دَهرage منafter عقبthe passing of المَواثيقthe pledges خُنتَناyou betrayed us
يا دَهر من عقب المَواثيق خُنتَنا
وَمِنand whoever آمنكtrusted you ياO دَهرage عقلوhis reason طارflew away
وَمِن آمنك يا دَهر عقلو طار
O age, after your pledges you betrayed us;
O time, how you have betrayed us after oaths!
Whoever trusts you, O age, loses his reason.
And whoever trusted you, their mind has flown away.
ياO دَهرage همكyour troubles شيبwhitened الرُوسthe heads وَاللحاand beards
يا دَهر همك شيب الرُوس وَاللحا
وَلاand not ظنتيmy belief مِنfrom فُوقabove ناركyour fire نارa fire
وَلا ظنتي مِن فُوق نارك نار
O age, your troubles have whitened heads and beards;
O time, you only care about graying hair and beards,
I do not think any fire exceeds your fire.
And you never considered your own fire a greater fire.
ياO دَهرage همكyour troubles هدbroke الحيلvigor وَالقوىand strength
يا دَهر همك هد الحيل وَالقوى
ياO دَهرage ادعيتyou made الركانthe pillars دَمارruin
يا دَهر ادعيت الركان دَمار
O age, your troubles have broken vigor and strength;
O time, you only care about weakening powers,
O age, you have laid the pillars in ruins.
O time, you have called for the destruction of pillars.
ياO دَهرage يَكفيenough ماwhat مضىpassed مِنof عَذابناour suffering
يا دَهر يَكفي ما مضى مِن عَذابنا
وَالليand what جَرىhappened ماnot قَطever قالواthey told وَصارand came to pass
وَاللي جَرى ما قَط قالوا وَصار
O age, enough of the suffering we have endured;
O time, enough of our torment that has passed,
What happened was never before told or known.
And what has transpired was never said or done.
ماnot تَستَحيare you ashamed منof الليthe one who عطيتهyou favored تخونهyou betray him
ما تَستَحي من اللي عطيته تخونه
وَكُلand every يُومday إِلكyou have بالعالمينfor the world طوارa new turn
وَكُل يُوم إِلك بالعالمين طوار
Are you not ashamed to betray those you have favored?
Are you not ashamed to betray those you have given?
Each day you bring the world another turn.
And every day you are faithless to people.
تَراكyou are سَرابa mirage بزيزماًin a wasteland سمهدانيvast and level
تَراك سَراب بزيزماً سمهداني
منwhoever خفwas light عقلوhis reason انif شافhe saw زولكyour form طارflew away
من خف عقلو ان شاف زولك طار
You are a mirage in a vast, level wasteland;
You are a mirage, a fraud,
The light-minded lose their reason at the sight of your form.
Whoever has little mind and sees your form, it will fly away.
وَالليand whoever يراعيconsiders ماwhat مَضىpassed مِنof سَوالفكyour dealings
وَاللي يراعي ما مَضى مِن سَوالفك
مبينplainly evident عَلىthat إِنكyou are عَميقdeep قَرارat the bottom
مبين عَلى إِنك عَميق قَرار
Whoever considers your past dealings
And whoever watches what your stories have passed,
Can plainly see how deep your bottom lies.
Will realize you are truly deceitful.
الدَهرtime جاوبنيanswered me عَلىat الفَورonce بِالعجلin haste
الدَهر جاوبني عَلى الفَور بِالعجل
قليit told me تَأدبmind your manners أَنتَyou ياO مهذارbabbler
قلي تَأدب أَنتَ يا مهذار
Time answered me at once, in haste,
Time answered me right away in haste:
Saying: Mind your manners, you babbler.
Tell me, you insolent one, show manners!
أَناI أَعلمknow أَنكthat you are عَبدa servant مَأمورunder command وَاقفstanding
أَنا أَعلم أَنك عَبد مَأمور وَاقف
ذوليthese اللَياليnights المظلماتdark قدارdestiny
ذولي اللَيالي المظلمات قدار
I know you are a servant, standing under command;
I know you are a slave, commanded and standing,
These dark nights are destiny.
Those nights are predestined, quantified.
اصبرbe patient لعلperhaps الصَبرpatience مَقرونjoined بِالفَرَجto relief
اصبر لعل الصَبر مَقرون بِالفَرَج
وَلاand not كُلevery مَبليafflicted person عَلىunder البَلاaffliction صبارenduring
وَلا كُل مَبلي عَلى البَلا صبار
Be patient; perhaps patience is joined to relief;
Be patient, perhaps patience is coupled with relief,
Not everyone afflicted can endure affliction.
And not every afflicted one can handle tribulation with patience.
إِنif ماnot صبرتyou endure يضيعis wasted عمركyour life مِنfrom العَناhardship
إِن ما صبرت يضيع عمرك مِن العَنا
وَمالكand you have no جزاreward غيرexcept الشَقاmisery وَالعارand disgrace
وَمالك جزا غير الشَقا وَالعار
If you do not endure, hardship will waste your life,
If you do not have patience, your life will waste away in sorrow,
And your only reward will be misery and disgrace.
And you will have no reward except misery and disgrace.
ماnothing رانتis left to you كونbe بقسمةwith the allotment اللَهof God راضيcontent
ما رانت كون بقسمة اللَه راضي
وَاصبرand endure عَلىunder جُورthe injustice الزَمانof time إِنif جارit acts unjustly
وَاصبر عَلى جُور الزَمان إِن جار
You have no choice but to accept God's allotment;
No creature is content with God's decree,
Endure time's injustice when it treats you unjustly.
So be patient with the injustice of time, even if it is unjust.
وَاللَهby God أُمورthe affairs اللَهof God تَمشيproceed عَلىaccording to قَدرdestiny
وَاللَه أُمور اللَه تَمشي عَلى قَدر
وَماand what دُونهاbefore them عَقلthe mind المثقفof the learned person حارwas bewildered
وَما دُونها عَقل المثقف حار
By God, God's affairs proceed according to destiny,
God's affairs proceed according to destiny,
Before which even the learned mind is bewildered.
And what is beyond it perplexes the enlightened mind.
ماno دُونagainst مِمّاwhat يقسمallots اللَهGod واقيprotector
ما دُون مِمّا يقسم اللَه واقي
منwhoever ضاقbecame constrained صدروhis breast مِنfrom البَلاويcalamities حارwas bewildered
من ضاق صدرو مِن البَلاوي حار
There is no protection against what God allots;
There is no protection from what God decrees,
Whoever chafes at calamities becomes bewildered.
Whoever's mind is narrowed by tribulations is perplexed.
مِنwhoever جَرَبexperienced الأَيّامthe days يُلقيencounters طوارهمtheir turns
مِن جَرَب الأَيّام يُلقي طوارهم
وَمِنand whoever جَرَبexperienced الأَشياءthings عريفيknowledgeable صارbecame
وَمِن جَرَب الأَشياء عريفي صار
Whoever experiences the days encounters their turns;
Whoever has experienced days will toss them aside,
Whoever experiences things becomes knowledgeable.
And whoever has experienced things becomes knowledgeable.
الأَيامthe days بيهمamong them مثلlike شَهدhoneycomb الخَلاياof the hives
الأَيام بيهم مثل شَهد الخَلايا
وَالأَيّامand the days بِيهمamong them حَنظَلاcolocynth وَمرارand bitterness
وَالأَيّام بِيهم حَنظَلا وَمرار
Some days are like honey from the comb,
Days are like the honey of bees,
And some are colocynth and bitterness.
And days are like bitter aloe.
الأَيامthe days يَعطوgive المَرءthe person لَكنbut بِالشَقاwith hardship
الأَيام يَعطو المَرء لَكن بِالشَقا
وَالدَهرand time قالواthey said لَوeven if صَفاit becomes serene غدارtreacherous
وَالدَهر قالوا لَو صَفا غدار
The days give a person gifts, but with hardship;
Days give man, but with misery,
Time, they say, is treacherous even when serene.
And they said if it clears up it will betray.
الأَيّامthe days قلاباتchangeful يَكفيكmay spare you شرهمtheir evil
الأَيّام قلابات يَكفيك شرهم
الأَيامthe days دُولابthe wheel الهَوىof fortune دوارever-turning
الأَيام دُولاب الهَوى دوار
The days are changeful—may their evil spare you;
Days are fickle, their evil is enough for you,
The days are fortune's ever-turning wheel.
Days are the wheel of passion, endlessly turning.
الأَيّامthe days يسقنكmake you drink مرارbitterness السقطريof Socotran aloe
الأَيّام يسقنك مرار السقطري
مِنfrom بَعدafter ماwhen شربكit gave you drink حَليبmilk بكارof young she-camels
مِن بَعد ما شربك حَليب بكار
The days make you drink the bitterness of Socotran aloe
Days give you the bitterness of colocynth
After giving you young she-camels' milk.
After having given you the milk of youth.
الأَيامthe days يحبلنconceive وَالأَيّامand the days يولدنgive birth
الأَيام يحبلن وَالأَيّام يولدن
وَعيالهمand their offspring سودblack وَبيضand white حرارnoble-born
وَعيالهم سود وَبيض حرار
The days conceive, and the days give birth;
Days become pregnant and days give birth,
Their offspring are black and white, noble-born.
And their children are black and white, free.
الأَيّامthe days مَجدولةwoven المَصايبcalamities بجالهمwithin their folds
الأَيّام مَجدولة المَصايب بجالهم
ياماhow often هفواthey brought low شمخlofty مُلوكkings كبارmighty
ياما هفوا شمخ مُلوك كبار
Calamities are woven into the days' folds;
Days have scheduled afflictions in their periods,
How often they have brought lofty, mighty kings low!
How often they have shaken the pride of great kings!
الأَيامthe days بيهمamong them تشربyou drink الشَهدhoneycomb وَالعَسَلand honey
الأَيام بيهم تشرب الشَهد وَالعَسَل
وَأَيامand days موردهمtheir watering place دَمارruin وَعكارand murk
وَأَيام موردهم دَمار وَعكار
There are days when you drink honeycomb and honey,
Days, you drink honey and nectar from them,
And days whose watering place is ruin and murk.
And days whose springs are ruin and turbidity.
الأَيامthe days تَرىyou see منwhoever يَعتبرهمputs trust in them مِنamong المَلاpeople
الأَيام تَرى من يَعتبرهم مِن المَلا
يَندمregrets وَزرعوand his crop لاdoes not يغلyield بذارseed
يَندم وَزرعو لا يغل بذار
Whoever among people puts his trust in the days
Days, you see whoever learns from them
Regrets it, and his crop yields no seed.
Will regret it, and their crop will not fruit with planting.
الأَيامthe days لَوif مالواthey lean عَلىagainst طُودa mountain عاليlofty
الأَيام لَو مالوا عَلى طُود عالي
لاnot بُدavoidable ماthat يذهبit becomes هباdust وَغبارand powder
لا بُد ما يذهب هبا وَغبار
If the days lean against a lofty mountain,
Days, if they turned on the highest hillocks,
It must become dust and drifting powder.
Inevitably they will pass and turn to dust.
لاnot بُدavoidable ماthat يدعوهthey make it سَهليlevel ground مِنthrough البَلاaffliction
لا بُد ما يدعوه سَهلي مِن البَلا
لَوeven if كانit were أَكبرgreater مِنthan جبلMount سنجارSinjar
لَو كان أَكبر مِن جبل سنجار
They must flatten it through affliction,
Inevitably it will call them easy from tribulation,
Even if it is greater than Mount Sinjar.
Even if it were bigger than Mount Sinjar.
مَنwhoever عاندdefied الأَيامthe days مَغلوبdefeated خاسرlosing
مَن عاند الأَيام مَغلوب خاسر
لَوeven if كانit were جيشهhis army جحفلاًa vast host جَرارadvancing
لَو كان جيشه جحفلاً جَرار
Whoever defies the days is defeated and loses,
Whoever contends with days is defeated and loses,
Even if his army is a vast, advancing host.
Even if his army were a massive horde.
ماnothing رانَتis left to you هونtake it lightly واخدعand outwit الهَمsorrow وَالبَلاand affliction
ما رانَت هون واخدع الهَم وَالبَلا
وَلاand not كُلevery رَجلman عاunder لبلاaffliction صبارenduring
وَلا كُل رَجل عا لبلا صبار
All you can do is take it lightly and outwit sorrow and affliction;
There is no diminishment of anxiety and tribulation,
Not every man can endure calamity.
And not every man can handle tribulation with patience.
أَناI حينat the moment حينat the moment ماwhen سمعتI heard المَواعظthe admonitions كلَهاall of them
أَنا حين حين ما سمعت المَواعظ كلَها
رَديتI turned للعقلto the mind السَخيفfeeble شوارfor counsel
رَديت للعقل السَخيف شوار
When, at that very moment, I heard all these admonitions,
When I heard all the advice,
I turned to my feeble mind for counsel.
I returned the foolish mind to consciousness
وُقُلتand I said النَصيحةadvice هيهit is ياO ساكنdweller العُلاon high
وُقُلت النَصيحة هيه يا ساكن العُلا
اليُومtoday فعلthe work الفايقof the astute الشطارthe clever
اليُوم فعل الفايق الشطار
I said: Advice, O dweller on high,
And said: This is advice, o dweller of highness,
Is today the work of the astute and clever.
Today the deeds of the enlightened ones are wise.
العقَلthe mind قليtold me راجعreturn to القَلبthe heart شاوروconsult it
العقَل قلي راجع القَلب شاورو
لَعلperhaps الصَبرpatience يَحصلwill arise مِنfrom التذكارremembrance
لَعل الصَبر يَحصل مِن التذكار
My mind told me: Return to the heart and consult it;
Mind, tell me: consult the heart,
Perhaps remembrance will bring patience.
Perhaps patience can be achieved by remembering.
ياO شينwretched one ماnot هذيthese مواطنthe places بلادناof our homeland
يا شين ما هذي مواطن بلادنا
وَلاand no دارhouse بِأَرضin the land التُركof the Turks ليناfor us دارa home
وَلا دار بِأَرض التُرك لينا دار
You wretched one, these are not the places of our homeland;
O misery, this is not our homeland,
No house in the Turks' land is a home for us.
And we have no lasting home in the land of Turks.
علامكwhy are you مقلقلrestless عادمbereft of الرشدjudgment وَالهدىand guidance
علامك مقلقل عادم الرشد وَالهدى
وِمِنand from جورthe injustice أَيامof the days الدَهرof time محتارbewildered
وِمِن جور أَيام الدَهر محتار
Why are you restless, bereft of judgment and guidance,
Why do you disrupt, lost of guidance and religion,
Bewildered by the injustice of time's days?
And confused by the injustice of the days of time?
ياO شينwretched one شورgive counsel اليومtoday فيin مَوقعthe place البَلاof affliction
يا شين شور اليوم في مَوقع البَلا
وَقتthe time الرضاof acceptance ياO مثرlavish giver الشوارof counsel
وَقت الرضا يا مثر الشوار
You wretched one, give counsel today amid affliction;
O misery, consult today in the position of tribulation,
It is time for acceptance, O lavish giver of counsel.
A time of contentment, o ripe fruit of consciousness.
القَلبthe heart ردreturned الشورthe counsel للعقلto the mind وَاكتَفيand stopped
القَلب رد الشور للعقل وَاكتَفي
وَالكُلand all جونيcame to me طالبينdemanding الثارvengeance
وَالكُل جوني طالبين الثار
The heart returned the matter to the mind and said no more;
The heart referred the consultation back to the mind and was satisfied,
They all came to me demanding vengeance.
While we all came to it seeking revenge.
ياO لايميmy reproacher اسمعhear مَعانيthe meanings كَلامهمof their words
يا لايمي اسمع مَعاني كَلامهم
وَاعجبand marvel منat الليwhat قلطوهthey offered شوارas counsel
وَاعجب من اللي قلطوه شوار
O you who blame me, hear the meaning of their words,
O my Lord, hear the meaning of their words,
And marvel at what they offered as counsel.
And marvel at what they have quickly discussed.
القَلبthe heart قالsaid بضامريwithin me علةthe malady الجوىof burning grief
القَلب قال بضامري علة الجوى
فيin طيهاits depths عجزwas defeated الحَكيمthe physician وَحارand bewildered
في طيها عجز الحَكيم وَحار
The heart said: Within me is the malady of burning grief;
The heart said: My illness of love,
Its depths have defeated and bewildered the physician.
In its folds the wisdom of the wise was perplexed and confused.
وَالعَقلand the mind قالsaid أَذهلتI was stunned منby قلةthe lack السَعدof good fortune
وَالعَقل قال أَذهلت من قلة السَعد
وَصايرand has become عَلىover كُلall الدماغthe brain ستارa veil
وَصاير عَلى كُل الدماغ ستار
The mind said: Lack of good fortune has stunned me;
And the mind said: I was amazed by the lack of happiness,
A veil has fallen over the whole brain.
And a veil came over all sense.
إِنيI ضاعwas lost فكريmy thought بينbetween عقليmy mind وراشديand my judgment
إِني ضاع فكري بين عقلي وراشدي
وَعلمتand I knew أَنيthat I بِالقدارbefore destiny عسارhelpless
وَعلمت أَني بِالقدار عسار
My thoughts were lost between my mind and my judgment;
I have lost my thoughts between my mind and guide,
I knew I was helpless before destiny.
And I have known that I have no power over destiny.
ياO علةmalady فيin معلقthe suspension point القَلبof the heart وَالحَشاand the breast
يا علة في معلق القَلب وَالحَشا
قياحةsuppurating مِنهاfrom it العَمَلthe workings شرارsparks
قياحة مِنها العَمَل شرار
O malady lodged where the heart hangs, within the breast,
O illness in the heart's attachment and love,
Suppurating, its workings scatter sparks.
A wound from which deeds are evil sparks!
كبرتit grew وَفتحand opened بهin it عُيونeyes بِجوانبهalong its sides
كبرت وَفتح به عُيون بِجوانبه
وَعياand resisted دَواهاits cure عالشفاhealing وَالنارand fire
وَعيا دَواها عالشفا وَالنار
It grew, opening little eyes along its sides;
It has grown and eyes have opened around it,
Its cure resisted healing and cautery.
But no medicine for healing or fire has helped it.
كُلevery ماtime رجوتI hoped وَقُلتand said تبريwould heal وَجاعهاits pains
كُل ما رجوت وَقُلت تبري وَجاعها
أَجيI come ألاقيI find دَمهاits blood شَرارsparks
أَجي ألاقي دَمها شَرار
Whenever I hoped and said its pains would heal,
Every time I have hoped and said it will heal,
I came and found its blood was sparks.
I come to find its blood boiling.
عالجتهاI treated it سنتينtwo years منwithout دُونany فايدةbenefit
عالجتها سنتين من دُون فايدة
وَالثالثةand the third كانونa brazier فيهاwithin it دارburned
وَالثالثة كانون فيها دار
I treated it for two years without benefit;
I treated it for two years without benefit,
In the third, a brazier burned within it.
And in the third year it flared up in there.
وَللحينand until now داهاits illness ماhas not قبلaccepted طبtreatment ينفعوthat helps it
وَللحين داها ما قبل طب ينفعو
هذاthis البَلاaffliction وَالضيمand oppression الأَشحارdarkest
هذا البَلا وَالضيم الأَشحار
Until now its illness has accepted no helpful treatment;
And still it does not accept treatment that may benefit it,
This is affliction and the darkest oppression.
This tribulation and the most intense pain.
أَناI خايفfearful إِنَّهاthat it تهلكwill destroy الجسمthe body كلهall of it
أَنا خايف إِنَّها تهلك الجسم كله
وَيعودand becomes زوموits scourge عَالجميعupon everyone يدارspread
وَيعود زومو عَالجميع يدار
I fear it will destroy the whole body,
I fear it may destroy the whole body,
And its scourge will spread to everyone.
And its demise will befall us all.
وَتنامand sleeps عنقاa phoenix عَلىover جراهاher young بَعدناafter us
وَتنام عنقا عَلى جراها بَعدنا
وترحلand departs عقبafter ماwhen هِيَshe عَفوspirited مغوارa raider
وترحل عقب ما هِيَ عَفو مغوار
A phoenix will sleep over her young after we are gone,
And it will sleep without us after us,
And depart, though once she was a spirited raider.
And depart after not being pardoned or forgiven.
ويكبرand grows great حصينيهاher little fox بغيبةin the absence سباعهاof her lions
ويكبر حصينيها بغيبة سباعها
وَيصيرand becomes قاضيهاher judge الضَبعthe hyena وَالفارand the mouse
وَيصير قاضيها الضَبع وَالفار
Her little fox will grow great while her lions are absent,
Its resting place will be widened in the absence of its predators,
And the hyena and mouse will become her judges.
And its judge will be the hyena and rat.
صَبراًpatience جَميلgracious الصَبرpatience أَحلىsweeter مِنthan العَسَلhoney
صَبراً جَميل الصَبر أَحلى مِن العَسَل
رَبكyour Lord كَريمgenerous القاصدوwhoever seeks Him ماdoes not بارfail
رَبك كَريم القاصدو ما بار
Have gracious patience; patience is sweeter than honey;
Patience is most beautiful, patience is sweeter than honey,
Your Lord is generous: whoever seeks Him does not fail.
Your Lord is generous, not neglectful.
مِنfrom بَعدafter ذاthis ياO نارfire قَلبيof my heart توقديblaze up
مِن بَعد ذا يا نار قَلبي توقدي
وَهاتيand bring عَلىabout صَرفthe reversal الزَمانof time شعارverses
وَهاتي عَلى صَرف الزَمان شعار
After this, O fire of my heart, blaze up,
After this, O fire of my heart, ignite
And bring verses about time's reversals.
And bring upon the changing of time sparks.
صارbegan القَلمthe pen يطبعimprinting قَوافيrhymes جَنيتهاI gathered
صار القَلم يطبع قَوافي جَنيتها
مِنfrom فوقupon قرطاسpaper الطلاسيfor writing سارmoved
مِن فوق قرطاس الطلاسي سار
The pen began imprinting rhymes I had gathered,
The pen has come to imprint rhymes I have harvested
Moving across the writing paper.
Onto sheets of paper, freely flowing.
يُبديreveals عَلىabout ماwhat حازexperienced قَلبيmy heart مِنof الجَفاestrangement
يُبدي عَلى ما حاز قَلبي مِن الجَفا
وَيرسمand draws معانيهاtheir meanings بِمياهwith liquid حبارink
وَيرسم معانيها بِمياه حبار
It reveals the estrangement my heart has suffered
Revealing what my heart has endured of estrangement,
And draws its meanings with flowing ink.
And depicting its meanings in wells of ink.
ياO راكِباًrider مناfrom us عَلىupon هيزعيةa swift she-camel
يا راكِباً منا عَلى هيزعية
مِنfrom أَصلthe stock هجناof our riding camels مِنfrom ضرابthe breeding حرارof noble sires
مِن أَصل هجنا مِن ضراب حرار
O rider setting out from us upon a swift she-camel,
O you who rides from us on a mare
From our riding stock, bred by noble sires,
Of original stock, from a line of noble Arabian horses.
حراhighbred عَلىin قَطعcrossing الفَيافيthe wilderness مجربةproven
حرا عَلى قَطع الفَيافي مجربة
وَلَونهand her color عَلىin شَكلthe likeness الغَزالof the gazelle حمارreddish
وَلَونه عَلى شَكل الغَزال حمار
A highbred mount proven in crossing the wilderness,
A chestnut who runs across the horizon, tested,
Her coloring reddish, like a gazelle's.
Its color is like that of a red deer.
تَشديresembles الظَليمthe male ostrich الليthat مسهيhas spread جَوانحهits wings
تَشدي الظَليم اللي مسهي جَوانحه
لَوif شافit saw زولاa figure مِنfrom مكانوits place طارflew
لَو شاف زولا مِن مكانو طار
She resembles an ostrich with wings spread,
It pulls the saddle blanket which if it saw a person from its place would fly away,
Which flies from its place at the sight of a figure.
Not stubborn when first being saddled or accustomed to the bridle.
وَلاor عَنودa solitary one الريمof the white gazelles باولforemost وَلاand not يَفوoutstripped
وَلا عَنود الريم باول وَلا يَفو
يُومwhen السَلاقيthe greyhounds عالجميدupon hard ground غارrushed
يُوم السَلاقي عالجميد غار
Or a solitary white gazelle, foremost and never outstripped,
Nor a female hawk glancing greedily for fledglings with desire
When the greyhounds rush upon the hard ground.
And little ones in the nests.
وَلاor قَطاةa sandgrouse نافلةcarrying الماwater بفمهاin her mouth
وَلا قَطاة نافلة الما بفمها
تَبغيseeking فِراخاًchicks بِالحِماin the protected pasture وَصغارand little ones
تَبغي فِراخاً بِالحِما وَصغار
Or a sandgrouse carrying water in her mouth,
God guided you, o delightful one of sorrow,
Seeking her little chicks in the protected pasture.
Mount it and set forth on the back of the mare and depart.
وَلمand make ready هداكmay guide you اللَهGod ياO طارشmessenger النياof separation
وَلم هداك اللَه يا طارش النيا
وَانسفand throw across عَلىupon ظَهرthe back الظَليمof the ostrich وَسارand set out
وَانسف عَلى ظَهر الظَليم وَسار
Make ready—may God guide you, O messenger of separation;
With a finely worked bridle of myrtle, safe from defects,
Throw the saddle across the ostrich's back and set out.
Its wood is reddish like carnelian.
بشدادwith a saddle غُصنof a branch الميسof hackberry سالمsound مِنfrom العطبdamage
بشداد غُصن الميس سالم مِن العطب
عودهits wood عَلىin شكلthe likeness العَقيقof agate صفارyellow
عوده عَلى شكل العَقيق صفار
A saddle of hackberry wood, sound and unspoiled,
Inlaid with gold studs gleaming, dazzling sights,
Its wood yellow, resembling agate,
Adorned and braided with expensive silk.
مَكسورsheathed عالعمدانupon the posts منwith غاليcostly الذَهَبgold
مَكسور عالعمدان من غالي الذَهَب
مَرصوعinlaid يَلمَعgleaming يدهشdazzling الأَبصارthe eyes
مَرصوع يَلمَع يدهش الأَبصار
Its posts sheathed in costly gold,
And a cloak of soft fabric, expensive weaving,
Inlaid and gleaming, dazzling the eyes.
Lined with ostrich feathers, soaring.
مَنسوفthrown across عادلa balanced pair منof الخزsilk غاليcostly
مَنسوف عادل من الخز غالي
حبلcord البَريسمof silk كربtightened الأَوسارthe bindings
حبل البَريسم كرب الأَوسار
A balanced pair of costly silk panniers is thrown across it;
Silken cord holds the bindings tight.
The intelligent one came out, whose presence and purity
وَالميركةand the saddle cushion منof شالa shawl ترمهTermeh مكلفةornate
وَالميركة من شال ترمه مكلفة
وَمطوراًand decorated بريشwith feathers النَعامof ostriches طوارin patterns
وَمطوراً بريش النَعام طوار
The saddle cushion is made from an ornate Termeh shawl,
Did the work of ambition for her longing insistently.
And decorated with patterns of ostrich feathers.
The partridges are crows strayed from their path
خَرجthe saddlebag العَقيليal-Uqayli الليwhose بديعهwondrous وَصايفوare its features
خَرج العَقيلي اللي بديعه وَصايفو
عملmade الطَموحthe eager admirer لشوقهاwith longing for it بدوارdizzy
عمل الطَموح لشوقها بدوار
The al-Uqayli saddlebag, whose features are wondrous,
In the morning when they left the house.
Makes the eager admirer dizzy with longing for it.
And put in your supplies what befits you,
اللواليحthe dangling ornaments غربانcrows دمنof ruins مسهيهwith wings spread
اللواليح غربان دمن مسهيه
عَلىat الصُبحmorning يَومwhen انwhen شيلواthey took flight منfrom الدارthe dwelling
عَلى الصُبح يَوم ان شيلوا من الدار
The dangling ornaments are like crows over ruins, wings spread,
That no one rides, O son, the fire.
At morning, when they take flight from the dwelling.
Your path is long, though easy for you to reach it,
وبالمزوديand in the supply bag حطput الذَهابprovisions اليوافقكthat suit you
وبالمزودي حط الذَهاب اليوافقك
الthat which ماdoes not يركبgo ياO ولدlad عَالنارupon the fire
ال ما يركب يا ولد عَالنار
Put suitable provisions in the supply bag,
If not for its reins you would have flown like a bird and departed.
The kind, lad, that does not go upon the fire.
I bid you farewell in God, my Lord and Creator,
وَشهدand honeycomb الخَلاياof the hives بديرةin the land التركof the Turks وَاجدplentiful
وَشهد الخَلايا بديرة الترك وَاجد
وَسمنand ghee الزهيريal-Zuhayri وَالطَحينand flour غبارfine as dust
وَسمن الزهيري وَالطَحين غبار
Honey from the comb is plentiful in the Turks' land,
And He protects you for the Persian and the builder.
And al-Zuhayri ghee, and flour fine as dust.
Do not forget me in longing after counting me like
احفظkeep وصاتيmy instructions ياO رَسوليmy messenger بفكرتكin your mind
احفظ وصاتي يا رَسولي بفكرتك
ماnothing دُونagainst مماwhat يقسمallots الجبارthe Almighty
ما دُون مما يقسم الجبار
Keep my instructions in mind, O my messenger;
Saad who sailed into the open sea and departed.
Nothing stands against what the Almighty allots.
From Constantinople he extended your power, its separation,
خليmake مسيركyour journey بالدُجىin the darkness ياO غلامناour young man
خلي مسيرك بالدُجى يا غلامنا
بِأَرضin the land التركof the Turks ماnot فيthere is عليكfor you حذارfear
بِأَرض الترك ما في عليك حذار
Travel by night, O our young man;
I wish it remains ruined and destroyed.
In the Turks' land you need have no fear.
Over Ankara along with Sungurlu and its landscapes,
التركthe Turks لاwhen ضبcloses in الدجىdusk قلdiminishes سعدهمtheir luck
الترك لا ضب الدجى قل سعدهم
كَماlike الجاجchickens لاwhen ضبcloses in الظَلامdarkness اِحتارbecome bewildered
كَما الجاج لا ضب الظَلام اِحتار
When dusk closes in, the Turks' luck diminishes,
Over Kayseri and the road, lined.
Like chickens bewildered when darkness falls.
Over Adana and Kahramanmaraş, your place of descent,
وَلياand when وصلتyou arrive بديرةin the land البدوof the Bedouin وَالعربand the Arabs
وَليا وصلت بديرة البدو وَالعرب
احرصkeep watch بليلكin your night ياO وَلَدlad وَنَهارand day
احرص بليلك يا وَلَد وَنَهار
When you reach the lands of the Bedouin and Arabs,
Over Maridin and Diyarbakır, weep.
Keep watch, lad, by night and day.
Over Aleppo the praised, the Arabs feel tranquility in it,
دَربكyour road طَويلlong أَماbut ذَلولكyour riding camel يوصلكwill bring you
دَربك طَويل أَما ذَلولك يوصلك
لَولاwere it not for زماموher rein قلتI would say طيراًa bird وَطارand it flew
لَولا زمامو قلت طيراً وَطار
Your road is long, but your riding camel will bring you there;
Beyond it only the desert and Sinjar.
Without her rein, I would call her a bird in flight.
Hama and Homs of Damascus you must visit,
دركتكمyour protection لِلّهto God رَبيmy Lord وَخالقيand my Creator
دركتكم لِلّه رَبي وَخالقي
وَحفظنكمand your safekeeping للفارسيto al-Farisi وَعمارand Ammar
وَحفظنكم للفارسي وَعمار
I entrust your protection to God, my Lord and Creator,
Al-Faheh whose length compares to Sinjar.
And your safekeeping to al-Farisi and Ammar.
Greet Damascus of Greater Syria and convey our greetings,
لاwhen ذوملتshe trots بِالدوحacross open land عدكconsider her شبيهاlike one
لا ذوملت بِالدوح عدك شبيها
سادوحtrailing دخنsmoke فيin البحورهthe seas وسارand moving
سادوح دخن في البحوره وسار
When she trots across the open land, think of her as
I wish the towns of al-Sham prosperity.
A smoke-trailing craft moving across the seas.
And from there towards Houran guide your course,
مِنfrom قسطمونيKastamonu مدset out عزكyour honor فراقهاis leaving it
مِن قسطموني مد عزك فراقها
ياريتهاwould that it تَبقىremained خرابwreckage وَدَمارand ruin
ياريتها تَبقى خراب وَدَمار
Set out from Kastamonu; your honor lies in leaving it;
To our country, mighty are its migrants, if neighbors.
Would that it remained wreckage and ruin!
Pass by the abode of Mahin after us,
عَلىtoward أَنقَرةAnkara مَعwith سنقرةSanqara معwith رُبوعهاits settlements
عَلى أَنقَرة مَع سنقرة مع رُبوعها
عَلىtoward قيسريةKayseri وَالطَريقand the road عمارwell-settled
عَلى قيسرية وَالطَريق عمار
Toward Ankara, with Sanqara and its settlements;
O our home, home of misery, o home!
Toward Kayseri, along a well-settled road.
And complain to it, O messengers, about me and say to it:
عَلىtoward أَدناAdana وَقَيصومand Qaysum نحرpoint هجينتكyour riding camel
عَلى أَدنا وَقَيصوم نحر هجينتك
عَلىtoward ماردينMardin وَديارand Diyar بكرBakr انحارhead
عَلى ماردين وَديار بكر انحار
Point your riding camel toward Adana and Qaysum;
I want to see you, I am suffering from perils.
Head toward Mardin and Diyarbakir.
O home, I want to see you wearing a dress of sorrow
عَلىtoward حلبAleppo الشَهباthe gray العربthe Arabs فيin ركونهاits quarters
عَلى حلب الشَهبا العرب في ركونها
ماnothing دونَهاbefore it غَيرexcept الرَهاal-Ruha وَسنجارand Sinjar
ما دونَها غَير الرَها وَسنجار
Toward gray Aleppo, with Arabs in its quarters;
After you wore silk brocade.
Before it lie only al-Ruha and Sinjar.
O home, I want to see you empty of dwellings and rooms
حماهHama وَحمصand Homs الشامof Syria لازمyou must تزورهاvisit them
حماه وَحمص الشام لازم تزورها
الفَيحاal-Fayha الليwhich تطولyou reach وَسنجارand Sinjar
الفَيحا اللي تطول وَسنجار
You must visit Hama and Homs of Syria,
After you were a shrine for people.
Al-Fayha, which you reach, and Sinjar.
O home, I want to see you destroyed without bats
حييgreet دمشقDamascus الشامof Syria واقريand convey سلامناour greetings
حيي دمشق الشام واقري سلامنا
ياريتwould that ديرانthe lands الشوامof the Syrians عمارflourishing
ياريت ديران الشوام عمار
Greet Damascus of Syria and convey our greetings;
Except an owl hooting at you and the rat.
May the Syrians' lands remain flourishing!
O home, after carpets and furnishings,
ومنهاand from there علىtoward حورانHauran يممdirect مطيتكyour mount
ومنها على حوران يمم مطيتك
عاtoward بلادناour homeland عزhonor الدَخيلfor the refugee إنif جارhe seeks protection
عا بلادنا عز الدَخيل إن جار
From there, direct your mount toward Hauran,
I see your furnishings are of rot and dust.
Toward our homeland, where a refugee finds honor when seeking protection.
O home, after lanterns and light,
تَلفيyou arrive علىat دارthe house المهيناof al-Muhayna بعدناafter us
تَلفي على دار المهينا بعدنا
ياO دارناour home دارhome الشَقاof misery ياO دارhome
يا دارنا دار الشَقا يا دار
You will reach al-Muhayna's house after we have gone;
I see you in darkness, frightening visitors.
O our home, home of misery, O home!
O home, you have become a den for spongers
وَاشكيand lament لهاto her ياO رسلmessenger عنيon my behalf وَقلand say لهاto her
وَاشكي لها يا رسل عني وَقل لها
ريدI wish انظركto behold you عانيcoming as a visitor منamong الخطارthe guests
ريد انظرك عاني من الخطار
Lament to her on my behalf, messenger, and tell her:
After you were the abode of the brilliant.
I long to behold you, coming as one of your guests.
O home, you were once filled side to side,
ياO دارhome اشوفكI see you لابسةwearing حلةa robe النياof separation
يا دار اشوفك لابسة حلة النيا
منfrom بَعدafter ماwhen لبسكclothed you حريرsilk بزرارwith buttons
من بَعد ما لبسك حرير بزرار
O home, I see you wearing separation's robe
Like the marketplace in the evening when it turns.
After you were clothed in buttoned silk.
With help I see you in ruins, o troubler,
ياO دارhome اشوفكI see you خاليةempty القاعthe courtyard وَالغرفand the rooms
يا دار اشوفك خالية القاع وَالغرف
منfrom بعدafter مانتيwhen you were للعبادfor people مزارa visiting place
من بعد مانتي للعباد مزار
O home, I see your courtyard and rooms empty
And the images of your walls are like the images of Akkar.
After you were a place people visited.
A sandy ruin where no inheritor embraces you,
ياO دارhome أَشوفكI see you خاربةruined مابكwithout in you الونسcompanionship
يا دار أَشوفك خاربة مابك الونس
سِوىexcept بوماًan owl يزعقscreeching بكwithin you وَالفارand mice
سِوى بوماً يزعق بك وَالفار
O home, I see you ruined, without companionship,
Or one who drank you like other homes.
Except an owl screeching within you, and mice.
It replied and said: Who can inform me of our ruin?
ياO دارhome منfrom عقبafter السجاجيدthe carpets وَالفَرشand bedding
يا دار من عقب السجاجيد وَالفَرش
أَرىI see فرشكyour bedding منof العفنrot وَغبارand dust
أَرى فرشك من العفن وَغبار
O home, after carpets and bedding,
Who are you, bringer of news?
I see your bedding made of rot and dust.
I see in you winds that enliven the heart and inner self,
ياO دارhome منfrom عقبafter القناديلthe lanterns وَالضياand brightness
يا دار من عقب القناديل وَالضيا
أَراكيI see you بظلمةin darkness توحشيyou frighten الزوارthe visitors
أَراكي بظلمة توحشي الزوار
O home, after lanterns and brightness,
Perhaps the winds of the fortunate have cleared up.
I see you dark, frightening visitors away.
You are probably one of the horses, o delightful sorrow,
ياO دارhome صرتيyou became للمهاملfor stray animals مراغهa wallowing place
يا دار صرتي للمهامل مراغه
منfrom بعدafter مانتيwhen you were موطنthe dwelling الشطارof capable men
من بعد مانتي موطن الشطار
O home, you have become a wallowing place for strays
And perhaps you will gladden the grieved one with news.
After being the dwelling of capable men.
Come closer, perhaps the wind will rip and I will smell
ياO دارhome كُنتI used to العصرat evening أَرعىtend بجوانبكbeside you
يا دار كُنت العصر أَرعى بجوانبك
ديجانflocks مثلlike السوقthe market يَومwhen أَنwhen دارit bustled
ديجان مثل السوق يَوم أَن دار
O home, at evening I used to tend beside you
Wisdoms from you that clarify sorrows.
Flocks like a market on a busy day.
Welcome, messenger of loved ones, and hello!
بِالعونtruly أَشوفكI see you خاربهruined ياO معثرةunfortunate one
بِالعون أَشوفك خاربه يا معثرة
وَمهدومand demolished صوركyour walls مثلlike صورthe walls عكارof Akkar
وَمهدوم صورك مثل صور عكار
Truly, I see you ruined, you unfortunate one;
My love for your place of descent is equal to those who have journeyed.
Your walls are demolished like the walls of Akkar.
O brother teach me, o brother tell me,
رملهwidowed فلاso not تَلقيyou find وَريثاًan heir يعانقكto embrace you
رمله فلا تَلقي وَريثاً يعانقك
وَلاand no منone who شربكgives you drink مثلlike غيرother ديارhomes
وَلا من شربك مثل غير ديار
Widowed, you find no heir to embrace you,
O brother, my mind has flown away from my head.
Nor anyone to give you drink, as other homes receive.
I spoke to it, o home, by God here I am
رَدتshe answered وَقالتand said منwho يلاغيspeaks to خرابناour ruins
رَدت وَقالت من يلاغي خرابنا
منwho أَنتare you يالليyou who جايبbring الأَخبارthe news
من أَنت ياللي جايب الأَخبار
She answered: Who speaks to our ruins?
With a story and news for your side.
Who are you, bringing news?
It said I want knowledge from you in a hurry,
أَرىI sense بكin you رَوايحfragrances تنعشreviving القَلبthe heart وَالحَشاand the breast
أَرى بك رَوايح تنعش القَلب وَالحَشا
عَسىperhaps انthat ريحthe scent الغانمينof worthy men اندارhas returned
عَسى ان ريح الغانمين اندار
I sense in you fragrances that revive the heart and breast;
You see, patience in me does not leave seeds.
Perhaps the scent of worthy men has returned.
I said to it: O home, sleep and rest,
عَساكperhaps you are منamong الخلانthe friends ياO طارشmessenger النياof separation
عَساك من الخلان يا طارش النيا
وَعَسىand perhaps تفرحyou gladden المحزونةthe grieving one بالأَخبارwith news
وَعَسى تفرح المحزونة بالأَخبار
Perhaps you are one of our friends, O messenger of separation;
You see time, how often betrayed and turbid.
Perhaps your news will gladden the grieving one.
You see them living well and provisioned from their share,
قربcome closer لعليthat I may انشقbreathe in الريحthe scent وَانتَشىand delight
قرب لعلي انشق الريح وَانتَشى
مِنكَfrom you عُلوماًtidings تجليthat dispel الأَكدارsorrows
مِنكَ عُلوماً تجلي الأَكدار
Come closer, that I may breathe the scent and delight
And my knowledge of them in the land of Turks is civilization.
In tidings from you that dispel sorrow.
Except your concern is graying of hair and beards,
أَهلاًwelcome برسولto the messenger الحبايبof loved ones وَمرحَباand welcome
أَهلاً برسول الحبايب وَمرحَبا
حبيhobble هجينكyour riding camel عاfor عددthe amount ماthat سارit traveled
حبي هجينك عا عدد ما سار
Welcome to the messenger of loved ones, welcome!
And no fire other than yours has burned them.
Hobble your camel after all the distance it has traveled.
Perhaps God will make them prevail, and we will all rejoice,
ياO خيbrother علمنيtell me ياO خيbrother قولsay ليto me
يا خي علمني يا خي قول لي
ياO خيbrother عقليmy reason منfrom دماغيmy head طارflew away
يا خي عقلي من دماغي طار
Brother, tell me; brother, speak to me;
And its stories will narrate tales and news.
Brother, my reason has flown from my head.
And I conclude my words with prayers upon the Prophet,
كلمتهاI addressed her ياO دارhome بِاللَهby God هونيbe calm
كلمتها يا دار بِاللَه هوني
مَعيI have لجنابكfor your presence قصةa story وَخبارand tidings
مَعي لجنابك قصة وَخبار
I addressed her: O home, for God's sake, be calm;
He will intercede for us from terror and difficulties.
I have a story and tidings for you.
قالتshe said أَريدI want العلمthe news منكfrom you عَلىat العجلonce
قالت أَريد العلم منك عَلى العجل
تَرىyou see الصَبرpatience عِنديwithin me ماdoes not يذرleave بهارa grain
تَرى الصَبر عِندي ما يذر بهار
She said: I want your news at once;
You see, not a grain of patience remains in me.
قُلتI said لَهاto her ياO دارhome قرينbe still وَاهجعيand rest
قُلت لَها يا دار قرين وَاهجعي
تَرىyou see الدَهرtime ياماhow often بوصفاwith serenity وَعكارand murk
تَرى الدَهر ياما بوصفا وَعكار
I told her: O home, be still and rest;
Time has so often brought serenity and murk.
تَراهُمthey are بخيرwell وَيرزقواand receive sustenance منfrom نصيبهمtheir allotted share
تَراهُم بخير وَيرزقوا من نصيبهم
وَعلميand my knowledge بهمof them بِأَرضin the land التراكof the Turks حضارresiding
وَعلمي بهم بِأَرض التراك حضار
They are well and receive their allotted sustenance;
As far as I know, they reside in the Turks' land.
غَيرexcept انthat همكworry for you شيبwhitened الرُوسthe heads وَاللحىand beards
غَير ان همك شيب الرُوس وَاللحى
وَمنand from غَيرother than ناركyour fire ماnot حرقهمburned them نارa fire
وَمن غَير نارك ما حرقهم نار
But anxiety for you has whitened their heads and beards;
No fire but yours has burned them.
عَسىmay اللَهGod يظهرهمbring them forth وَنفرحand we rejoice جَميعناall of us
عَسى اللَه يظهرهم وَنفرح جَميعنا
وَتفديand become حكاياهاher tales قصصstories وَخبارand tidings
وَتفدي حكاياها قصص وَخبار
May God bring them forth, and may we all rejoice;
May her tales become stories and tidings.
وَاختمand I close كلاميmy words بالصلاةwith blessings عَلىupon النَبيthe Prophet
وَاختم كلامي بالصلاة عَلى النَبي
يشفعhe intercedes لناfor us منagainst الهولterror وَالأَعسارand hardships
يشفع لنا من الهول وَالأَعسار
I close my words with blessings upon the Prophet;
May he intercede for us against terror and hardship.
Partial English translation: 254 of 268 Arabic lines translated.
Sol 6.1