1. حضرنا ننظر النهرا

    ونسمع موجه الصاخب

    We came to gaze upon the river,

    And hear its roaring waves,

  2. ونلمح في جوانبه

    بريق العسجد الذائب

    And glimpse along its banks

    The gleam of molten gold,

  3. ونسمع في ملاعبه

    بغام الأغيد اللاعب

    And hear in its playgrounds

    The soft cry of the graceful youth at play,

  4. ونشهد من عرائسه

    وعود العين والحاجب

    And witness, from its brides,

    The promises of eye and brow.

  5. سلام الحب يا نهرا

    به الأوطان تزدان

    Love's greeting, O river,

    With which the homelands are adorned.

  6. وفي شطيه ملعبه

    بها صور وولدان

    And on its two banks lies its playground,

    In it are figures and boys.

  7. أعد يا نهر أيامي

    ولى في الشط خلان

    Restore my days, O river,

    And on the shore I had dear friends,

  8. أساقيهم كئوس الحب

    ومن قلب لهم حان

    I would share cups of love with them,

    And from a heart tender toward them.

  9. جرى يا نهر ما يجرى

    فدهر الحب شيطان

    What comes to pass has come to pass, O river;

    For the time of love is a devil.

  10. غفلنا عن غنائمنا

    أهذا الدهر غفلان

    We were heedless of our spoils;

    Is this Time heedless?

  11. وضاع الحق في زمني

    وللأيام نكران

    And justice was lost in my time,

    And the days are ungrateful.

  12. أأنت النهر أخبرني

    ليضمن لطفك القلب

    Are you the river? Tell me,

    That the heart may be sure of your kindness.

  13. إليك صبوت يا نهري

    وللحسن الفتى يصبو

    I yearned for you, O my river,

    And the young man yearns for beauty.

  14. أخاف الغدر يا نهري

    أفى غدر بدا الحب

    I fear treachery, O my river;

    Was it in treachery that love appeared?