يَكُفُّ لِساني عامِرٌ وَكَأَنَّما

يَكُفُّ لِساني عامِرٌ وَكَأَنَّما

يَكُفُّ لِساني فيهِ صابٌ وَعَلقَمُ

يَكُفُّ لِساني فيهِ صابٌ وَعَلقَمُ

Amir restrains my tongue, and it is as though

My tongue is silenced, as if gagged and bound,

he were restraining my tongue, filled with bitter sap and colocynth.

My tongue in chains, though once so free and proud.

أأتترُكُ اولادَ البَغايا وَغِيبَتِي

أأتترُكُ اولادَ البَغايا وَغِيبَتِي

وَتَحبِسُنِي عَنهُم وَلا اتَكَلَّمُ

وَتَحبِسُنِي عَنهُم وَلا اتَكَلَّمُ

Do you leave the sons of whores to slander me,

Shall I abandon my people in their plight,

and hold me back from them while I say nothing?

And keep my silence through this awful night?

أَلَم تَعلَمُوا أَنّي سُوَيدٌ وَإِنَّني

أَلَم تَعلَمُوا أَنّي سُوَيدٌ وَإِنَّني

إِذا لَم أَجِد مُستَأخَراً اَتَقَدَّمُ

إِذا لَم أَجِد مُستَأخَراً اَتَقَدَّمُ

Did you not know that I am Suwayd? And indeed I,

Know that I’m fearless, and if none will lead,

when I find no room to retreat, advance.

I shall step forth, whate’er the risk or deed.

حَسِبتُم هِجائِي إذ بَطَنتُم غَنِيمَةً

حَسِبتُم هِجائِي إذ بَطَنتُم غَنِيمَةً

عَلَيَّ دَماءُ البُدنِ إِن لم تُنَدَّمُوا

عَلَيَّ دَماءُ البُدنِ إِن لم تُنَدَّمُوا

You thought reviling me, when you hid yourselves, was a prize;

You thought my words were wind when spoils you seized,

I shall owe the blood of sacrificial camels if you are not made to regret it.

My people’s blood shall rain on you, repent with haste!