حريَّةُfreedom الشعبِthe people بينَbetween السيفِthe sword والعلمِand knowledge
حريَّةُ الشعبِ بينَ السيفِ والعلمِ
وقوةُand strength النفسِthe soul بينbetween الدَّمعtears والألمِand pain
وقوةُ النفسِ بين الدَّمع والألمِ
The people's freedom lies between the sword and knowledge,
The people's freedom between the sword and knowledge,
and the soul's strength between tears and pain.
And the soul's strength between tears and pain.
وفيand in الشدائدِhardships والثوراتِand revolutions بانbecame apparent لناto us
وفي الشدائدِ والثوراتِ بان لنا
فضلُthe worth الرجالmen ذويpossessing الأفكارِideas والهممand resolve
فضلُ الرجال ذوي الأفكارِ والهمم
In hardships and revolutions there appeared to us
And in ordeals and revolutions it was revealed to us
the worth of men possessing ideas and resolve.
The excellence of men of ideas and ambitions.
إنَّindeed النوابغgeniuses أبناءُchildren التجاربِexperiences فيin
إنَّ النوابغ أبناءُ التجاربِ في
كلِّall العصورِthe ages التيthat انشَقَّتsplit open لضَربهمunder their blows
كلِّ العصورِ التي انشَقَّت لضَربهم
Geniuses are the children of experience in
Indeed, eminent figures are the sons of experiences in
all the ages that split open under their blows.
Every age that was torn apart for their sake.
ياO حبَّذاhow blessed أمةٌa nation تَشقىsuffers بثورَتِهاthrough its revolution
يا حبَّذا أمةٌ تَشقى بثورَتِها
حتىuntil تفوزَit wins بماwhat ترجوit hopes for منof النعمblessings
حتى تفوزَ بما ترجو من النعم
How blessed a nation that suffers through its revolution
How excellent a nation that suffers with its revolution
until it wins the blessings it hopes for!
Until it succeeds in what it hopes for of blessings.
كماjust as نرىwe see الشَّمسَthe sun بعدafter الغيمِclouds ساطعةًshining
كما نرى الشَّمسَ بعد الغيمِ ساطعةً
والأرضَand the earth خضراءَgreen بعدafter الثّلجِsnow والديمand steady rains
والأرضَ خضراءَ بعد الثّلجِ والديم
As we see the sun shining after clouds,
As we see the sun radiant after the cloud,
and the earth green after snow and steady rains.
And the earth green after the snow and blood.
فيin وَحشَةِthe loneliness الليلِnight تهديناguide us وتؤنِسُناand comfort us
في وَحشَةِ الليلِ تهدينا وتؤنِسُنا
أَشعَّةُrays الكَوكبِthe planet السيّارِwandering فيin الظُّلمdarkness
أَشعَّةُ الكَوكبِ السيّارِ في الظُّلم
In the loneliness of night, guiding and comforting us
In the desolation of night, the rays of the wandering planet
are the wandering planet's rays in the darkness.
Comfort and cheer us in the darkness.
وفيand in الكَوارثِcatastrophes آمالٌhopes مُزَخرَفةٌadorned
وفي الكَوارثِ آمالٌ مُزَخرَفةٌ
تُشدِّدُstrengthen العَزمَresolve عندamid اليأسِdespair والسأمand weariness
تُشدِّدُ العَزمَ عند اليأسِ والسأم
And amid catastrophes there are adorned hopes
And in catastrophes, adorned hopes
that strengthen resolve amid despair and weariness.
That strengthen resolve in despair and fatigue.
كأنهاas though they كلماتُwords العدلِjustice مُنعِشَةًreviving
كأنها كلماتُ العدلِ مُنعِشَةً
للضّعفِfor weakness أوor بسماتُsmiles اللهِGod للنَّدَمupon remorse
للضّعفِ أو بسماتُ اللهِ للنَّدَم
As though they were words of justice, reviving
As if they were the words of justice giving life
weakness, or God's smiles upon remorse.
To the weak, or God's smiles for the remorseful.
مرُّthe bitterness الشَّقاءِsuffering الذيthat يهديguides النفوسَsouls حَكىresembled
مرُّ الشَّقاءِ الذي يهدي النفوسَ حَكى
مرَّthe bitterness الدواءِmedicine الذيthat يَشفيcures منof السَّقمsickness
مرَّ الدواءِ الذي يَشفي من السَّقم
The bitterness of suffering that guides souls resembles
The bitterness of passing hardship guides souls,
the bitterness of medicine that cures sickness.
As the bitterness of medicine cures illness.
إنَّindeed المرارةَbitterness فيin الحالينِboth cases نافعةٌbeneficial
إنَّ المرارةَ في الحالينِ نافعةٌ
للجسمِto the body والنفسِand the soul فلنشربso let us drink ولاand not نلمwe blame
للجسمِ والنفسِ فلنشرب ولا نلم
Indeed, bitterness in both cases benefits
Indeed, bitterness in both cases is beneficial
body and soul; let us drink and not complain.
For body and soul, so let us drink it without blaming.
أحَبُّdearest شيءٍthing إِلىto نفسيmy soul التيwhich انبَثقَتsprang forth
أحَبُّ شيءٍ إِلى نفسي التي انبَثقَت
منfrom الشّذاfragrance والنّدىand dew والرّعدِand thunder والحِممand lava
من الشّذا والنّدى والرّعدِ والحِمم
Dearest of all to my soul, which sprang
The dearest thing to my soul that emerged
from fragrance, dew, thunder, and lava,
From splendor, dew, thunder and zeal,
تفتيحُopening قلبٍa heart شقيٍّunhappy للنَّعيمِto bliss كماas
تفتيحُ قلبٍ شقيٍّ للنَّعيمِ كما
تَفَتّحتopened زَهرةٌa flower للنُّورِto light والنَّسَمand breezes
تَفَتّحت زَهرةٌ للنُّورِ والنَّسَم
is opening an unhappy heart to bliss, as
Is to open the heart of a wretched soul to bliss,
a flower opens to light and breezes;
As a flower opens to light and breeze.
والنًّفخُand breathing فيinto قلبِthe heart شعبٍa people نامslept فيin كَفَنٍa shroud
والنًّفخُ في قلبِ شعبٍ نام في كَفَنٍ
حتىuntil يهبَّit rises إِلىto العلياءِeminence والعظمand greatness
حتى يهبَّ إِلى العلياءِ والعظم
and breathing into the heart of a people asleep in a shroud
And to breathe into the heart of a dormant nation
until it rises to eminence and greatness.
Until it rises to the heights and greatness.
ياO شعبَpeople لبنانَLebanon ياO شعباًa people أُمجِّدُهI glorify
يا شعبَ لبنانَ يا شعباً أُمجِّدُه
ياO منبعَfountain العَقلِreason والإصلاحِand reform والكرمand generosity
يا منبعَ العَقلِ والإصلاحِ والكرم
O people of Lebanon, O people whom I glorify,
O people of Lebanon, o people I glorify,
O fountain of reason, reform, and generosity!
O fountain of reason, reform and generosity.
ياO شعبَpeople لبنانLebanon ياO نسلَdescendants الأُلىthose who ضَرَبواstruck
يا شعبَ لبنان يا نسلَ الأُلى ضَرَبوا
بالمشرفيَّةِwith Mashrafi swords هامَheads الجَحفَلِthe host اللَّهمِvast
بالمشرفيَّةِ هامَ الجَحفَلِ اللَّهمِ
O people of Lebanon, descendants of those who struck
O people of Lebanon, o offspring of the sublime who
with Mashrafi swords the heads of the vast host!
Struck with might at Mishrifah the bold enemy.
ياO شعبَpeople لبنانَLebanon ياO نسَلَdescendants الأُلىthose who غَضِبواgrew wrathful
يا شعبَ لبنانَ يا نسَلَ الأُلى غَضِبوا
فأطلعواand brought forth الشَّمسَthe sun منfrom أَغمادِsheaths بِيضِهمtheir bright swords
فأطلعوا الشَّمسَ من أَغمادِ بِيضِهم
O people of Lebanon, descendants of those who grew wrathful
O people of Lebanon, o offspring of the sublime who raged
and brought the sun forth from their bright swords' sheaths!
And made the sun rise from their white swords.
ياO شعبَpeople لبنانَLebanon ياO نسلَdescendants الألىthose who امتَنَعواstood impregnable
يا شعبَ لبنانَ يا نسلَ الألى امتَنَعوا
مثلَlike الشَّواهينِfalcons فيon أعلىthe highest parts جبالِهمtheir mountains
مثلَ الشَّواهينِ في أعلى جبالِهم
O people of Lebanon, descendants of those who stood impregnable
O people of Lebanon, o offspring of the sublime who resisted
like falcons atop their mountains!
Like hawks on the heights of their mountains.
ياO شعبَpeople لبنانَLebanon ياO نسلَdescendants الألىthose who عُرفواwere known
يا شعبَ لبنانَ يا نسلَ الألى عُرفوا
بالماردينَas the defiant وقدand indeed عَزُّواgrew mighty ببأسهمthrough their valor
بالماردينَ وقد عَزُّوا ببأسهم
O people of Lebanon, descendants of those known
O people of Lebanon, o offspring of the sublime who were known
as the defiant, who grew mighty through their valor!
For their knights and their might in battle.
ياO شعبَpeople لبنانLebanon ياO نسلَdescendants الألىthose who سقَطواfell
يا شعبَ لبنان يا نسلَ الألى سقَطوا
علىupon أكاليلِwreaths غارٍlaurel فيin حروبهمtheir wars
على أكاليلِ غارٍ في حروبهم
O people of Lebanon, descendants of those who fell
O people of Lebanon, o offspring of the sublime who fell
upon laurel wreaths in their wars!
Upon victory wreaths in their wars.
هلَّاwhy not اندَفعتَyou surge إِلىtoward العلياءِeminence مقتفياًfollowing
هلَّا اندَفعتَ إِلى العلياءِ مقتفياً
آثارَهمtheir footsteps آخذاtaking يوماًone day بثأرهمvengeance for them
آثارَهم آخذا يوماً بثأرهم
Why not surge toward eminence, following
Why don't you rush to the heights, following
their footsteps, one day avenging them?
Their tracks, taking revenge one day for their sake?
هلَّاhave you not عَلمتَlearned وفيand in الأرزاءِcalamities مَوعِظةٌa lesson
هلَّا عَلمتَ وفي الأرزاءِ مَوعِظةٌ
أنَّthat الضياغِمَlions ترعىgraze اليومَtoday كالغنمlike sheep
أنَّ الضياغِمَ ترعى اليومَ كالغنم
Have you not learned—and calamities hold a lesson—
Don't you know, and in the cedars is a lesson,
that the lions today graze like sheep?
That wolves now graze upon them like sheep?
الشعبُthe people كالفردِlike an individual فيin كلِّall الأمورِmatters لئنif indeed
الشعبُ كالفردِ في كلِّ الأمورِ لئن
يَقنعrests content بأوهامِهِwith its illusions يُسرعhastens إِلىtoward الهرَمdecrepitude
يَقنع بأوهامِهِ يُسرع إِلى الهرَم
A people is like an individual in every matter: if
You were irrigated with pure blood from them
it rests content with its illusions, it hastens toward decrepitude.
And today the remnants are watered with their tears.
منwhoever حكَّمmade judge القلبَthe heart يُدرِكهُovertakes him الشقاءُmisery ومنand whoever
من حكَّم القلبَ يُدرِكهُ الشقاءُ ومن
يحكّمِmakes judge العَقلَreason يحمدpraises حِكمةَthe wisdom الحِكمwise maxims
يحكّمِ العَقلَ يحمد حِكمةَ الحِكم
Whoever makes the heart his judge is overtaken by misery; whoever
So it cries over them at night
makes reason his judge praises the wisdom of wise maxims.
While we are defeated after the defeated.
إِلىtoward السعادةِhappiness تهديناguides us الحقيقةُtruth إذwhile
إِلى السعادةِ تهدينا الحقيقةُ إذ
بالوَهمthrough illusion تَفنىwastes away حياةُthe life العاجزِthe helpless البرمdiscontented
بالوَهم تَفنى حياةُ العاجزِ البرم
Truth guides us toward happiness, while
Some of us cry for the others without hope
through illusion the helpless, discontented man's life wastes away.
And that is our allotted fate since old.
تقدَّمنّdo advance وكنand be باللهِin God ذاpossessing ثِقَةٍtrust
تقدَّمنّ وكن باللهِ ذا ثِقَةٍ
واسترجعنَّand do reclaim سليبَthe stolen portion الأرضِthe land بالقدمwith the feet
واسترجعنَّ سليبَ الأرضِ بالقدم
Advance, and place your trust in God,
For our nation is no mother that gathers us
and reclaim the stolen land with your feet.
And our brethren in it have no kinship.
واستَعذبِنَّand find sweet المناياdeaths وامشينَّand do walk علىupon
واستَعذبِنَّ المنايا وامشينَّ على
ميَّادةِswaying الأرضِthe earth أوor خفاقةِtwinkling النجمthe star
ميَّادةِ الأرضِ أو خفاقةِ النجم
Find death sweet, and walk upon
If we stand and without fear make heard
the swaying earth or the twinkling star.
Our roar, hear their screams of despair.
ومزِّقنَّand do tear apart العدىthe enemies فيin هَولِthe terror معركةٍa battle
ومزِّقنَّ العدى في هَولِ معركةٍ
والخيلُand the horses صهّالةٌneighing قطّاعةُsnapping اللُّجُمbridles
والخيلُ صهّالةٌ قطّاعةُ اللُّجُم
And tear the enemies apart in a battle's terror,
Stand, o sons of the motherland, let our Lord hear an oath
while horses neigh and snap their bridles.
Upon the graves, perhaps there is good in the oath.
وبدِّلنَّand do change مِنَof الحالاتِconditions أتعَسهاthe most wretched
وبدِّلنَّ مِنَ الحالاتِ أتعَسها
لأنّbecause عيشَتَناour life نوعٌa kind منof العدمnonexistence
لأنّ عيشَتَنا نوعٌ من العدم
And change the most wretched of conditions,
Perhaps the memory of ancestors will guide us
for our life is a kind of nonexistence.
If their great bones are in my thoughts.
لوif كنتَyou were تَعلمُknowing ماwhat معنىthe meaning الحياةِlife وماand what
لو كنتَ تَعلمُ ما معنى الحياةِ وما
فيwithin طاقةِthe power الشَّعبthe people لمnot تَقنَطyou despair ولمand not تنَمyou sleep
في طاقةِ الشَّعب لم تَقنَط ولم تنَم
If you knew the meaning of life and what
In God's trust are sacred corpses
lies within the people's power, you would neither despair nor sleep.
In which the ancestors lie in their armor.
الشَّعبُthe people ماwhat الشَّعبُthe people إنif ثارتrose خَواطِرُهُtheir thoughts
الشَّعبُ ما الشَّعبُ إن ثارت خَواطِرُهُ
ومنهُand from them زَمجرةُthe roar الآسادِlions فيin الأجَمthickets
ومنهُ زَمجرةُ الآسادِ في الأجَم
The people—what are the people when their thoughts rise
Their chests were embraced by that armor though
and from them comes the lions' roar in the thickets?
It was too tight for their hearts.
روحthe spirit العليِّthe Most High علىagainst الظلّامoppressors غاضبةٌenraged
روح العليِّ على الظلّام غاضبةٌ
تطهّرpurifies الأرضthe earth بالأهوالwith terrors والنقمand vengeance
تطهّر الأرض بالأهوال والنقم
The spirit of the Most High, enraged against oppressors,
While we strut in our clothes of humiliation
purifying the earth with terrors and vengeance.
They sleep in their shrouds of glory.
الشعبthe people ماwhat الشّعبُthe people غيمٌa cloud فيهِwithin it صاعِقةٌa thunderbolt
الشعب ما الشّعبُ غيمٌ فيهِ صاعِقةٌ
تَنقَضُّswoops down حاملةًcarrying للرّعدِthunder والضَّرَمand flame
تَنقَضُّ حاملةً للرّعدِ والضَّرَم
The people—what are the people? A cloud bearing a thunderbolt
Verily, the palaces whose building we undertake
that swoops down carrying thunder and flame.
Are lowly compared to one of their graves.
الشّعبُthe people ماwhat الشَّعبُthe people بحرٌa sea كلّهُall of it زبدٌfoam
الشّعبُ ما الشَّعبُ بحرٌ كلّهُ زبدٌ
والموجُand the waves ماwhat is بينَbetween هدَّارٍroaring ومُلتَطِمand crashing together
والموجُ ما بينَ هدَّارٍ ومُلتَطِم
The people—what are the people? A sea entirely of foam,
Would that their graves burst open radiantly
its waves now roaring, now crashing together.
That they may show us some glow from their darkness.
ياO هازئينَmockers بشعبٍof a people مُفعَمٍbrimming أملاًwith hope
يا هازئينَ بشعبٍ مُفعَمٍ أملاً
وضاحكينَand laughing لدمعٍat tears منهfrom it مُنسَجِمstreaming
وضاحكينَ لدمعٍ منه مُنسَجِم
O you who mock a people brimming with hope,
O day of the sixth of September that tortured
and laugh at its streaming tears!
Its memory, are you but a smiling mouth?
بعدafter الشكاوىcomplaints التيthat أفنَتexhausted مدامِعَناour tears
بعد الشكاوى التي أفنَت مدامِعَنا
سَتسمعوناyou will hear us وإنeven if كنتمyou are ذويpossessing صَمَمdeafness
سَتسمعونا وإن كنتم ذوي صَمَم
After the complaints that exhausted our tears,
You saved us from the shackles of oppressors though
you will hear us, even if you are deaf.
We tasted humiliation and affliction from their swords.
ماnot ذنبُناour fault عِندَكمin your eyes إِلاexcept هوىlove وطنٍa homeland
ما ذنبُنا عِندَكم إِلا هوى وطنٍ
يَشقىsuffers بكمthrough you فاحتَمواso shelter yourselves بالمكرin deceit والتِّهمand accusations
يَشقى بكم فاحتَموا بالمكر والتِّهم
Our only fault in your eyes is love for a homeland
How priceless you were, o day of salvation, but we
that suffers through you; shelter yourselves in deceit and accusations!
Did not know your status below all people.
نَشكوwe complain ونطلُبُand seek إصلاحاًreform لأمَّتِناfor our nation
نَشكو ونطلُبُ إصلاحاً لأمَّتِنا
فتُشبِعوناand you glut us مِنَwith التّعليلِexcuses والكَلمand words
فتُشبِعونا مِنَ التّعليلِ والكَلم
We complain and seek reform for our nation,
How excellent if the brethren had known or recalled
and you glut us with excuses and words.
That salvation came to them after their slaughter.
منfrom ضعفِناour weakness قدindeed أخَذتمyou took كلَّall قوَّتِكمyour strength
من ضعفِنا قد أخَذتم كلَّ قوَّتِكم
وماand not أقمتمyou abided علىby عهدٍa covenant ولاnor ذممpledges
وما أقمتم على عهدٍ ولا ذمم
From our weakness you have taken all your strength,
Greetings to you, greetings from a day to our nation
and you have honored neither covenant nor pledges.
Inscribed in history in letters of fire.
فكمso how many تُضَحُّونَyou sacrifice مِنّاof us حائمينhovering علىover
فكم تُضَحُّونَ مِنّا حائمين على
تلكَthose الضحيّاتِvictims كالغُربانlike ravens والرّخمand vultures
تلكَ الضحيّاتِ كالغُربان والرّخم
How many of us you sacrifice, hovering over
For you are bitter and sweet in souls together,
those victims like ravens and vultures!
So the dearest food may bring about indigestion.
واللهِby God واللهِby God لوif كنّاwe were ذويpossessing أنفٍproud dignity
واللهِ واللهِ لو كنّا ذوي أنفٍ
لماthen not ترَكناwe would leave جداراًa wall غيرَnot مُنهدِمdemolished
لما ترَكنا جداراً غيرَ مُنهدِم
By God, by God, if we possessed proud dignity,
How you have passed by us while the people slept
we would leave no wall undemolished,
As if they will never awaken from their slumber!
ولاnor تركناwe would leave حِجاباًa veil غيرَnot مُنمزقٍtorn
ولا تركنا حِجاباً غيرَ مُنمزقٍ
ولاnor تركناwe would leave حُساماa sword غيرَnot مُنثَلمnotched
ولا تركنا حُساما غيرَ مُنثَلم
nor leave any veil untorn,
How I called and reminded our brethren
nor leave any sword unnotched.
But they did not like a cure for their wounds.
لناwe have حُقوقٌrights وثاراتٌand claims for vengeance نُذكِّرُهاwe remind of them
لنا حُقوقٌ وثاراتٌ نُذكِّرُها
أَبناءناour children ونُبَكِّيهمand make them weep علىover الرّممthe remains
أَبناءنا ونُبَكِّيهم على الرّمم
We have rights and claims for vengeance that we remind
No prayer of yours echoed in an ear
our children of, making them weep over the remains.
Nor did a good mention of you cross a mouth.
والربُّand the Lord يشهدbears witness والأملاكُand the angels ساخطةٌenraged
والربُّ يشهد والأملاكُ ساخطةٌ
ترميstrike عداةenemies الهدىguidance بالرعبِwith terror والبكمand muteness
ترمي عداة الهدى بالرعبِ والبكم
The Lord bears witness, and the angels, enraged,
You knocked on their doors to bid peace but they did not
strike the enemies of guidance with terror and muteness.
Return the greeting nor cheer their guest.
سنطلبُwe shall demand الحقَّjustice يوماًone day بالسُيوفِwith swords فلاand not
سنطلبُ الحقَّ يوماً بالسُيوفِ فلا
نرتدُّwe turn back حتىuntil نُروِّيهاwe slake them منfrom اللممlocks of hair
نرتدُّ حتى نُروِّيها من اللمم
One day we shall demand justice with swords, and shall not
After this, do we still expect any good
turn back until we slake them on locks of hair.
From you for them or look for a star in their sky?
لبنانُLebanon باللهِby God ياO لبنانُLebanon كمhow many وَلدٍa child
لبنانُ باللهِ يا لبنانُ كم وَلدٍ
فيin القربِnearness مُضطَهدٍoppressed فيin البُعدِdistance متّهمaccused
في القربِ مُضطَهدٍ في البُعدِ متّهم
Lebanon—by God, O Lebanon—how many a child,
How we have exhorted but the mockers said of us
oppressed nearby, accused far away,
These hearts are like unlit ice.
يَصبوyearns إليكَfor you ويَشكوand complains فيin النّوىexile ألماًof pain
يَصبو إليكَ ويَشكو في النّوى ألماً
ورِزقُهand his livelihood عرضَةٌprey للظالمِto the oppressor النَّهمravenous
ورِزقُه عرضَةٌ للظالمِ النَّهم
yearns for you and complains of pain in exile,
By God, how many lessons and advice are in you
his livelihood prey to the ravenous oppressor!
For a living nation walking with nations!
النّفسُthe soul حامتhovered علىover لبنانَLebanon واحِدةًalone
النّفسُ حامت على لبنانَ واحِدةً
وأَيُّand what نفسٍsoul علىover لبنانَLebanon لمnot تحُمhovered
وأَيُّ نفسٍ على لبنانَ لم تحُم
The soul hovered over Lebanon alone;
But how few you are in reminding and benefit
and what soul has not hovered over Lebanon?
To a nation afflicted with barrenness and canker!
والقلبُand the heart هامwas entranced بواديهِby its valley وغابتهِand its forest
والقلبُ هام بواديهِ وغابتهِ
إنindeed الفراشَthe butterfly بغيرِwithout الزهرِflowers لمnot يَهمwas entranced
إن الفراشَ بغيرِ الزهرِ لم يَهم
The heart was entranced by its valley and its forest;
It has long seen in its afflictions moral lessons
the butterfly is never entranced without flowers.
While its heart is closed to preaching and wisdom.
هناكَthere رَنّاتُringing أجراسٍbells طَربتُI delighted لهاin them
هناكَ رَنّاتُ أجراسٍ طَربتُ لها
هناكَthere أهليmy people الألىthose whom أعتزُّI take pride باسمهمin their name
هناكَ أهلي الألى أعتزُّ باسمهم
There are ringing bells whose sound delighted me;
O daughter of Lebanon, o daughter of the free women, o
there are my people, in whose name I take pride.
Daughter of the noble and sister of the virtuous.
أهوىI love بلاديmy country وأهوىand I love أُمتيmy nation فأناso I
أهوى بلادي وأهوى أُمتي فأنا
أَرجوhope لتلكَfor that وهَذيand this بَطشَthe might مُنتقمan avenger
أَرجو لتلكَ وهَذي بَطشَ مُنتقم
I love my country and I love my nation, so I
You are the one ransomed if a calamity from
hope for an avenger's might for both.
Brothers befalls you, all heroes clashing.
فهلso shall أرىI see العَلَمthe flag المحبوبَbeloved فوقَهماabove them both
فهل أرى العَلَم المحبوبَ فوقَهما
لكيso that أَموتَI may die فدىa sacrifice ذيَّالِكَthat العلمflag
لكي أَموتَ فدى ذيَّالِكَ العلم
Shall I see the beloved flag above them both,
And people out of extreme admiration cry
so that I may die a sacrifice for that flag?
These are the stalwarts, spears of their ancestors!
روحيmy soul الفداءُa sacrifice لأرضٍfor a land كلُّall بهجتِهاits delight
روحي الفداءُ لأرضٍ كلُّ بهجتِها
فيin العينِthe eye والقلبِand the heart إنif أرحلI depart وإنand if أَقُمI remain
في العينِ والقلبِ إن أرحل وإن أَقُم
My soul is a sacrifice for a land whose every delight
And they ride to glory their racers
is in eye and heart, whether I depart or remain.
Those racers that are not tethered except for them.
روحيmy soul الفداءُa sacrifice لقومٍfor a people فيin محبَّتِهمtheir love
روحي الفداءُ لقومٍ في محبَّتِهم
أرىI see المنيَّةdeath عمراًa lifetime غيرَnot مُنصَرمending
أرى المنيَّة عمراً غيرَ مُنصَرم
My soul is a sacrifice for a people in whose love
And they resemble, gathered in their assembly,
I see death as a lifetime without end.
Pearls of a necklace adorning their sister's neck.
لقدindeed تَقَسَّمَwas divided قلبيmy heart منby تقسُّمِهمtheir division
لقد تَقَسَّمَ قلبي من تقسُّمِهم
لكنّbut واللهby God حبّيmy love غيرُnot مُنقسمdivided
لكنّ والله حبّي غيرُ مُنقسم
My heart has been divided by their division,
You are ransomed by the youth of our nation,
but, by God, my love is undivided.
Youth of sincerity and resolve in their struggle,
ياO ليتَwould that أبناءَهمtheir children كالأخوةِlike brothers اجتَمعواgathered
يا ليتَ أبناءَهم كالأخوةِ اجتَمعوا
علىin وفاقٍharmony وعهدٍand a covenant غيرِnot مُنفَصِمbroken
على وفاقٍ وعهدٍ غيرِ مُنفَصِم
Would that their children gathered like brothers
Defiant in defense of their principles,
in harmony and an unbroken covenant!
Mocking their afflictions and death,
فللبنينَso to the sons سلامٌpeace فيin منازِلهمtheir homes
فللبنينَ سلامٌ في منازِلهم
وللجدودِand to the forefathers سلامٌpeace فيin تُرابهمtheir earth
وللجدودِ سلامٌ في تُرابهم
Peace to the sons in their homes,
Igniting a flame of their passions
and peace to the forefathers in their earth.
And showing a glow from their intelligence,
إنif كانwas منfrom قَلميmy pen فيin حبِّهمtheir love ألميmy pain
إن كان من قَلمي في حبِّهم ألمي
ياO حبّذاhow welcome الألمُthe pain الآتيcoming منfrom القلمthe pen
يا حبّذا الألمُ الآتي من القلم
If my pain comes from my pen in loving them,
Flapping pages from their record
how welcome the pain that comes from the pen!
And trumpeting a call from their clamor.
أوor كانwere شِعريmy poetry ونثريand my prose نافعَينِboth useful لهمto them
أو كان شِعري ونثري نافعَينِ لهم
ضحَّيتُI sacrificed قلبيmy heart فنالواand they received منهُfrom it بالقسمin shares
ضحَّيتُ قلبي فنالوا منهُ بالقسم
Or if my poetry and prose are useful to them,
Whether alive, expect from their determination
I have sacrificed my heart, and they have taken shares of it.
A delayed matter due to their dispersed state.
هلis الضحيةُsacrifice للأحبابِfor loved ones نافعةٌuseful
هل الضحيةُ للأحبابِ نافعةٌ
وهمwhile they مضحُّونsacrifice للدجّالِto the deceiver والصّنمand the idol
وهم مضحُّون للدجّالِ والصّنم
Is sacrifice for loved ones of any use
And if dead, say would they had lived forever
when they sacrifice to the deceiver and the idol?
And mourn flowering youths of their youth.
نعمَhow fine النصيبُthe portion نصيبيmy portion فهوfor it ليto me شرفٌan honor
نعمَ النصيبُ نصيبي فهو لي شرفٌ
إنيindeed I لراضٍam surely content شقائيmy suffering فيamid نعيمِهمtheir bliss
إني لراضٍ شقائي في نعيمِهم
How fine my allotted portion: it is an honor to me.
Stand on the shore watered by their blood,
I am indeed content with my suffering amid their bliss.
Their tears, and watch for the days of their return.
عليَّupon me إتمامُcompleting أمرٍa task قدindeed خُلقتُI was created لهُfor it
عليَّ إتمامُ أمرٍ قد خُلقتُ لهُ
لأننيbecause I خادمٌa servant منamong جملةthe company الخدمservants
لأنني خادمٌ من جملة الخدم
I must complete a task for which I was created,
Stand there atop the sand crying
for I am one servant among the servants.
And pluck their fragrance from their fields.
إنيindeed I أُحِبّlove بنيsons أُمّيmy mother ولوeven if ظلمواthey do wrong
إني أُحِبّ بني أُمّي ولو ظلموا
فلذَّةُfor the sweetness الصَّفحforgiveness تأتيcomes منfrom ذنوبهمtheir sins
فلذَّةُ الصَّفح تأتي من ذنوبهم
I love my mother's sons, even if they do wrong,
Remind them of the most beautiful of days
for the sweetness of forgiveness comes from their sins.
So that remembrance may strengthen their resolve.
الحبُّlove والبعدُand distance والبلوىand affliction تُقرِّبهمbring them closer
الحبُّ والبعدُ والبلوى تُقرِّبهم
إِلىto فؤاديmy heart فكفِّيand my hand فيin أكفِّهمtheir hands
إِلى فؤادي فكفِّي في أكفِّهم
Love, distance, and affliction bring them closer
Sigh like a bird whose chicks departed,
to my heart, and my hand rests in their hands.
A sigh met by angels with melody.
أناI المُذيبُthe one melting اختياراًwillingly فيin محبَّتِهمtheir love
أنا المُذيبُ اختياراً في محبَّتِهم
قلباًa heart يطيرُflies خَفيفاًlightly عندَat ذكرهمtheir mention
قلباً يطيرُ خَفيفاً عندَ ذكرهم
I am the one who willingly melts, in love for them,
And return it, perhaps God may have mercy on us
a heart that flies lightly at their mention.
For the wound, o Hind, is a wound beyond mending.
فيهِwithin it العواطفُemotions والآمالُand hopes مُزبدةٌfoaming
فيهِ العواطفُ والآمالُ مُزبدةٌ
كأنهاas though they الموجُwaves لطّاماًbattering لرملهِمtheir sands
كأنها الموجُ لطّاماً لرملهِم
Within it, emotions and hopes are foaming,
And the calamity, by God, is beyond our capacity,
like waves battering their sands.
Our tears therein undisclosed tears.
تعَشَّقَfell in love with النورَlight حتىuntil بتُّI came to أحسَبُهُimagine it
تعَشَّقَ النورَ حتى بتُّ أحسَبُهُ
معلَّقاًsuspended بشُعاعٍfrom a ray منof نُجُومِهمtheir stars
معلَّقاً بشُعاعٍ من نُجُومِهم
It fell in love with light until I came to imagine it
If you see the stars of night rising
suspended from a ray of their stars.
Over the plains, valleys and dunes,
وجاورand dwelt beside الوردَroses حتىuntil فاحَwafted منهُfrom it شذاًfragrance
وجاور الوردَ حتى فاحَ منهُ شذاً
نشَقتُهُI breathed it فيin شبابيmy youth منfrom جِنانِهمtheir gardens
نشَقتُهُ في شبابي من جِنانِهم
It dwelt beside roses until fragrance wafted from it,
Say there, beloveds distressed
which I had breathed in my youth from their gardens.
By the memory of a land they distanced for its vastness.
وهزَّهُand stirred it الطربُrapture الأعلىthe highest فأسمعنيand made me hear
وهزَّهُ الطربُ الأعلى فأسمعني
ألحانَmelodies مجدٍglory وحبٍّand love منfrom غنائهمtheir singing
ألحانَ مجدٍ وحبٍّ من غنائهم
The highest rapture stirred it, and it made me hear
The clouds bid farewell to a country that you are its joy
melodies of glory and love from their singing.
And the least ugly thing in it is beautiful in their eyes.
هذاthis الفؤادُheart الكثيرُabundant in الهمِّcare يحمِلُهُcarries it
هذا الفؤادُ الكثيرُ الهمِّ يحمِلُهُ
فتىa youth غريبٌa stranger يرىsees النُّعمىhappiness بقُربهِمin their nearness
فتى غريبٌ يرى النُّعمى بقُربهِم
This heart, laden with care, is carried by
They cast over it in its misery a cloak
a stranger youth who finds happiness near them.
Could any feeling be more painful than theirs?
جابَroamed البلادَthe lands وخاضand crossed البحرَthe sea مُبتسماًsmiling
جابَ البلادَ وخاض البحرَ مُبتسماً
وظلّand kept يخفيconcealing جُروحاًwounds منfrom شقائهمtheir suffering
وظلّ يخفي جُروحاً من شقائهم
He roamed the lands and crossed the sea smiling,
Yearning for those lands forever, yet only
and kept concealing wounds from their suffering.
Seeing cages of captivity in them.
أرواحَspirits أَجدادِناour forefathers الأبناءُthe sons قدindeed ضَعفواgrew weak
أرواحَ أَجدادِنا الأبناءُ قد ضَعفوا
فصّيريso turn الدّمthe blood ناراًinto fire فيin عُروقهمtheir veins
فصّيري الدّم ناراً في عُروقهم
Spirits of our forefathers, the sons have grown weak;
Take my tears and poems, for how much scattered
turn the blood to fire within their veins!
And composed mention is between them.
أرواحَspirits أجدادِناour forefathers هلdo أنتِyou سامِعةٌhear
أرواحَ أجدادِنا هل أنتِ سامِعةٌ
شكوىthe lament البنينَthe sons علىupon أطلالِthe ruins أرضِهمtheir land
شكوى البنينَ على أطلالِ أرضِهم
Spirits of our forefathers, do you hear
Take my feelings, take my heart, take with it
the sons' lament upon the ruins of their land?
The sincerity of affection, for nothing but truth lasts.
قدindeed خُضِّبتwas dyed بدماءٍwith blood منكِfrom you طاهرةٍpure
قد خُضِّبت بدماءٍ منكِ طاهرةٍ
واليومَand today تُسقىare watered البقاياthe remnants منwith دُمُوعهمtheir tears
واليومَ تُسقى البقايا من دُمُوعهم
It was dyed with pure blood from you,
Take my hope, take my ardor, take my torment
and today its remnants are watered with their tears.
Take my weeping for my people and their condition.
ففيand in اللّياليthe nights عليهاover it أنتِyou نائحةٌlamenting
ففي اللّيالي عليها أنتِ نائحةٌ
ونحنُand we مُنهزمٌa defeated one فيin إثرthe wake مُنهزمa defeated one
ونحنُ مُنهزمٌ في إثر مُنهزم
At night you lament over it,
In it is the valley's murmur, the breeze's melody,
and we are defeated one after defeated one.
The spring's fragrance, the night's dew.
يبكيweeps علىover بعضِناsome of us بعضٌanother بلاwithout أملٍhope
يبكي على بعضِنا بعضٌ بلا أملٍ
وتلكَand that قِسمتُناour lot منsince سالفِbygone القدمantiquity
وتلكَ قِسمتُنا من سالفِ القدم
Some of us weep over others without hope,
In it is their passion, their memory and their ordeal,
and that has been our lot since ancient times.
In it hope and glory from their awakening.
فليسَfor not أُمتناour nation أُمّاًa mother تجمِّعناgathering us
فليسَ أُمتنا أُمّاً تجمِّعنا
وليسَnor are إخوتُناour brothers فيهاwithin it ذويpossessing رَحمkinship
وليسَ إخوتُنا فيها ذوي رَحم
For our nation is no mother who gathers us,
It is they, the beloveds, whether far or near
nor are our brothers within it bound by kinship.
So cry over them and melt from their absence.
إذاwhen وقفناwe stand وأسمَعناand make heard بلاwithout وَجلٍfear
إذا وقفنا وأسمَعنا بلا وَجلٍ
زئيرناour roar أسمعواthey make heard صَيحاتِcries يأسِهمtheir despair
زئيرنا أسمعوا صَيحاتِ يأسِهم
When we stand and fearlessly make heard
They endured, and their endless misery
our roar, they make their cries of despair heard.
Perhaps made them ungrateful to their Lord.
قِفواstand بنيsons أمِّa mother نُسمِعlet us make hear ربَّناour Lord قَسماًan oath
قِفوا بني أمِّ نُسمِع ربَّنا قَسماً
علىover القبورِthe graves لعلَّperhaps الخيرَgoodness فيin القَسمthe oath
على القبورِ لعلَّ الخيرَ في القَسم
Stand, sons of one mother; let us make our Lord hear an oath
The best hearts are in their breasts
over the graves—perhaps goodness lies in the oath.
And the most sincere tears flow from their eyes.
لعلَّperhaps ذكرىa memory منof الأجدادِthe forefathers تُرشِدُناguides us
لعلَّ ذكرى من الأجدادِ تُرشِدُنا
إنّindeed العظائمَgreat deeds فيin باليmoldering عِظامهِمtheir bones
إنّ العظائمَ في بالي عِظامهِم
Perhaps a memory of the forefathers will guide us;
For angels is the kindness of their features
great deeds dwell in their moldering bones.
And for gazelles the radiance of their generosity.
فيin ذِمّةِthe keeping اللهGod أجداثٌgraves مقدَّسةٌsacred
في ذِمّةِ الله أجداثٌ مقدَّسةٌ
فيهاwithin them الجدودُthe forefathers رقودٌsleeping فيin دُروعهِمtheir armor
فيها الجدودُ رقودٌ في دُروعهِم
In God's keeping are sacred graves,
Greet virtuous women who carried for us
where the forefathers sleep in their armor.
The light of hope unveiling the darkness of anxieties.
ضمّتembraced جوانحَهمtheir ribs تلكَthose الدروعُsuits of armor وقدand indeed
ضمّت جوانحَهم تلكَ الدروعُ وقد
ضاقتgrew tight عليهاaround them فضَاقَتand grew too narrow عنfor قُلوبهمtheir hearts
ضاقت عليها فضَاقَت عن قُلوبهم
Those suits of armor embraced their ribs, yet
They are planets in the night of absence, so let them not
grew tight around them, too narrow for their hearts.
Weary of good and benevolence from joys.
فنحنُso we نخطرُstrut فيin أثوابِgarments ذلَّتناour humiliation
فنحنُ نخطرُ في أثوابِ ذلَّتنا
وهمwhile they ينامونَsleep فيin أكفانِshrouds مجدهِمtheir glory
وهم ينامونَ في أكفانِ مجدهِم
We strut in the garments of our humiliation,
Embrace here the faithful sisters
while they sleep in the shrouds of their glory.
Like doves taking refuge in the sanctuary.
إنّindeed القصورَthe palaces التيthat بِتناwe have been نشيِّدُهاbuilding
إنّ القصورَ التي بِتنا نشيِّدُها
حقيرةٌpaltry عندَbeside قبرٍa grave منamong قُبورِهمtheir graves
حقيرةٌ عندَ قبرٍ من قُبورِهم
The palaces we have been building
Greet men who with the horrors of fate mocked
are paltry beside a single grave of theirs.
Savoring misery for their family's sake.
فليتَso would that أجداثَهمtheir graves تنشَقُّsplit open ساطِعةًradiant
فليتَ أجداثَهم تنشَقُّ ساطِعةً
لكيso that تُريناthey show us ضِياءًlight منfrom ظلامِهمtheir darkness
لكي تُرينا ضِياءً من ظلامِهم
Would that their graves split open, radiant,
They flew like eagles and bade the rising sun,
to show us light from their darkness!
Emboldening fledglings among their young.
ياO يومَday سادسَsixth أيلولَSeptember الذيwhose عَذُبتَgrew sweet
يا يومَ سادسَ أيلولَ الذي عَذُبتَ
ذكراهُits memory هلare أنتَyou إلاanything but ثغرُa mouth مُبتَسمsmiling
ذكراهُ هل أنتَ إلا ثغرُ مُبتَسم
O sixth day of September, how sweet
Yearning for those lands forever, yet only
your memory! Are you anything but a smiling mouth?
Seeing cages of captivity in them.
خلّصتناyou freed us منfrom قيودِfetters الظالمينَthe oppressors وقدafter indeed
خلّصتنا من قيودِ الظالمينَ وقد
ذقناwe tasted الرّدىdeath والبلاياand afflictions منfrom سُيوفهمtheir swords
ذقنا الرّدى والبلايا من سُيوفهم
You freed us from the oppressors' fetters, after
Take my tears, take my poems, for how much scattered
we had tasted death and afflictions from their swords.
And composed mention is between them.
ماhow كانwas أغلاكَprecious you were ياO يومَday الخلاصِdeliverance ولمand not
ما كان أغلاكَ يا يومَ الخلاصِ ولم
نعرِفwe knew مقامَكَyour worth دونَunlike الناسِpeople كلّهمall of them
نعرِف مقامَكَ دونَ الناسِ كلّهم
How precious you were, O day of deliverance! Yet we did not
Take my feelings, take my heart, take with it
recognize your worth, unlike all the rest of mankind.
The sincerity of affection, for nothing but truth lasts.
ياO حبّذاhow welcome لوif دَرىknew الإخوانthe brothers أوor ذكرواremembered
يا حبّذا لو دَرى الإخوان أو ذكروا
أنّthat الخلاصَdeliverance أتاهمcame to them بعدafter ذبحِهمtheir slaughter
أنّ الخلاصَ أتاهم بعد ذبحِهم
Would that the brothers knew or remembered
Take my hope, take my longing, take my torment,
that deliverance came to them after their slaughter!
Take my weeping for my people and their condition.
حُيِّيتَhail to you حُيِّيتَhail to you منas a يومٍday لأمَّتناfor our nation
حُيِّيتَ حُيِّيتَ من يومٍ لأمَّتنا
بأحرفِwith letters النارِfire فيin التّاريخِhistory مُرتَسِمinscribed
بأحرفِ النارِ في التّاريخِ مُرتَسِم
Hail, hail to you, a day for our nation,
In it the valley's murmur, the breeze's melody,
inscribed in history with letters of fire!
The spring's fragrance, the night's dew.
لأنتَsurely you حلوٌsweet ومرٌّand bitter فيin النفوسِsouls معاًtogether
لأنتَ حلوٌ ومرٌّ في النفوسِ معاً
فربَّfor many a أكلٍmeal شهيٍّdelicious جاءَcame بالتخمwith indigestion
فربَّ أكلٍ شهيٍّ جاءَ بالتخم
You are both sweet and bitter to the soul,
In it their passion, their memory and their ordeal,
for many a delicious meal has brought indigestion.
In it, hope and glory from their awakening.
فكمso how often مَرَرتَyou passed بناby us والقومُwhile the people قدindeed رَقدواslept
فكم مَرَرتَ بنا والقومُ قد رَقدوا
كأنهمas though they لنnever will يُفيقواwake منfrom سُباتِهمtheir slumber
كأنهم لن يُفيقوا من سُباتِهم
How often you passed us while the people slept,
It is they, the beloveds, whether far or near
as though they would never wake from their slumber!
So cry over them and melt from their absence.
وكمand how often دَعوتُI called وكمand how often ذكّرتُI reminded إخوتَناour brothers
وكم دَعوتُ وكم ذكّرتُ إخوتَنا
فماyet not أحبّواthey desired شفاءًhealing منfrom جُروحِهمtheir wounds
فما أحبّوا شفاءً من جُروحِهم
How often I called, how often I reminded our brothers,
They endured, and their endless misery
yet they desired no healing for their wounds.
Perhaps made them ungrateful to their Lord.
ولمand not يرنَّrang دعاءٌa call منكَfrom you فيin أُذُنِan ear
ولم يرنَّ دعاءٌ منكَ في أُذُنِ
ولمand not يدُرِcirculated لكَof you ذكرٌa mention طيِّبٌkindly بفَمin a mouth
ولم يدُرِ لكَ ذكرٌ طيِّبٌ بفَم
No call from you rang in an ear,
The best hearts are in their breasts
nor did a kindly mention of you pass through a mouth.
And the most sincere tears flow from their eyes.
طَرقتَyou knocked at أبوابَهمtheir doors تُلقيoffering السلامَa greeting فماbut not
طَرقتَ أبوابَهم تُلقي السلامَ فما
رَدّواthey returned السلامَthe greeting ولاnor بشّواsmiled لضَيفِهمupon their guest
رَدّوا السلامَ ولا بشّوا لضَيفِهم
You knocked at their doors, offering a greeting, but they did not
For angels is the kindness of their features
return the greeting or smile upon their guest.
And for gazelles the radiance of their generosity.
هلdo بعدafter هذاthis نرجِّيwe hope for منكَfrom you صالحةًany good
هل بعد هذا نرجِّي منكَ صالحةً
لهمfor them ونرقُبُand watch for نجماًa star فيin سمائهمtheir sky
لهم ونرقُبُ نجماً في سمائهم
After this, can we hope for any good from you
Greet virtuous women who carried for us
for them, and watch for a star in their sky?
The light of hope unveiling the darkness of anxieties.
فكمso how often نفَخناwe blew وقالand said الشّامتونَthose gloating بناover us
فكم نفَخنا وقال الشّامتونَ بنا
هَذيthese القلوبُhearts كثلجٍlike snow غيرِnot مُضطرمaflame
هَذي القلوبُ كثلجٍ غيرِ مُضطرم
How often we blew, while those who gloated over us said,
They are planets in the night of absence, so let them not
'These hearts are like snow, untouched by flame.'
Weary of good and benevolence from joys.
للهِby God كمhow many فيكَwithin you منof ذكرىmemories ومنand of عظةٍadmonitions
للهِ كم فيكَ من ذكرى ومن عظةٍ
لأمةٍfor a nation حيّةٍliving تمشيwalks معalongside الأممthe nations
لأمةٍ حيّةٍ تمشي مع الأمم
By God, how many memories and admonitions you hold
Embrace here the faithful sisters
for a living nation that walks alongside other nations!
Like doves taking refuge in the sanctuary.
وماand how أقلّكَlittle you offer تذكيراًreminder ومنفعةًand benefit
وما أقلّكَ تذكيراً ومنفعةً
لأمةٍto a nation بُليتafflicted بالعقمِwith barrenness والوَرَمand swelling
لأمةٍ بُليت بالعقمِ والوَرَم
Yet how little reminder or benefit you offer
Greet men who with the horrors of fate mocked,
a nation afflicted with barrenness and swelling!
Savoring misery for their family's sake.
لطالماhow often فيin بلاياهاits afflictions رأتit saw عِبراًlessons
لطالما في بلاياها رأت عِبراً
وقلبُهاwhile its heart مُغلقٌclosed للوَعظِto admonition والحِكمand wisdom
وقلبُها مُغلقٌ للوَعظِ والحِكم
How often it has seen lessons in its afflictions,
They flew like eagles and bade the rising sun,
while its heart remains closed to admonition and wisdom!
Emboldening fledglings among their young.
ياO بنتَdaughter لبنانَLebanon ياO بنتَdaughter الحرائرfreeborn women ياO
يا بنتَ لبنانَ يا بنتَ الحرائر يا
بنتَdaughter الكرامِthe noble وأختَand sister الطاهريthe pure in الشّيمcharacter
بنتَ الكرامِ وأختَ الطاهري الشّيم
O daughter of Lebanon, O daughter of freeborn women, O
Yearning for those lands forever, yet only
daughter of the noble and sister of those of pure character!
Seeing cages of captivity in them.
أنتِyou المفدّاةُthe one sacrificed for إنif راعتكِfrightens you نائبةٌa misfortune
أنتِ المفدّاةُ إن راعتكِ نائبةٌ
منby إخوةٍbrothers كلُّهمall of them أبطالُchampions مصطدمbattle
من إخوةٍ كلُّهم أبطالُ مصطدم
For you lives are sacrificed, should misfortune alarm you,
Take my tears and poems, for how much scattered
by brothers who are all champions of battle.
And composed mention is between them.
والناسُand the people منfrom شدَّةِthe intensity الإعجابِadmiration هاتِفةٌcrying out
والناسُ من شدَّةِ الإعجابِ هاتِفةٌ
هذيthese القدودُfigures رماحٌspears منfrom جُدودِهمtheir forefathers
هذي القدودُ رماحٌ من جُدودِهم
The people cry out in overwhelming admiration:
Take my feelings, take my heart, take with it
'These figures are spears from their forefathers!'
The sincerity of affection, for nothing but truth lasts.
ويركَبونَand they ride إِلىinto الجلَّىthe supreme ordeal سَوابقَهمtheir swift steeds
ويركَبونَ إِلى الجلَّى سَوابقَهم
تِلكَthose السوابقُswift steeds لمnot تُربطwere tethered لِغَيرِهمfor anyone else
تِلكَ السوابقُ لم تُربط لِغَيرِهم
They ride their swift steeds into the supreme ordeal;
Take my hope, take my longing, take my torment,
those steeds were never tethered for anyone else.
Take my weeping for my people and their condition.
ويشبهونَand they resemble وهمwhile they فيat صدرِthe head مجلِسِهمtheir gathering
ويشبهونَ وهم في صدرِ مجلِسِهم
حباتِbeads عقدٍa necklace يُحَلّيadorns جيدَthe neck أُختِهمtheir sister
حباتِ عقدٍ يُحَلّي جيدَ أُختِهم
And at the head of their gathering, they resemble
In it the valley's murmur, the breeze's melody,
the beads of a necklace adorning their sister's neck.
The spring's fragrance, the night's dew.
أنتِyou المفدّاةُthe one sacrificed for منby فتيانِyoung men أُمتناour nation
أنتِ المفدّاةُ من فتيانِ أُمتنا
فتيانِyoung men صدقٍtruth وعزمٍand resolve فيin جهادهمtheir struggle
فتيانِ صدقٍ وعزمٍ في جهادهم
For you lives are sacrificed by our nation's young men,
In it their passion, their memory and their ordeal,
young men of truth and resolve in their struggle,
In it, hope and glory from their awakening.
مُستبسِلينَfighting fearlessly دِفاعاًin defense عنof مبادئهمtheir principles
مُستبسِلينَ دِفاعاً عن مبادئهم
مُستَهزئينscorning ببلواهمtheir affliction ومَوتهمand their death
مُستَهزئين ببلواهم ومَوتهم
fighting fearlessly in defense of their principles,
It is they, the beloveds, whether far or near
scorning their affliction and their death,
So cry over them and melt from their absence.
ومُضرمينَand kindling لهيباًflames منfrom عواطِفِهمtheir emotions
ومُضرمينَ لهيباً من عواطِفِهم
ومُطلعينَand bringing forth ضياءًlight منfrom ذكائهمtheir intelligence
ومُطلعينَ ضياءً من ذكائهم
kindling flames from their emotions,
They split apart and long misery without solace
bringing forth light from their intelligence,
Afflicted them, and perhaps they blasphemed their Lord.
ومُرهِفينَand honing صِفاحاًblades منfrom صَحائِفهمtheir written pages
ومُرهِفينَ صِفاحاً من صَحائِفهم
ومُسمِعينand sounding قَصيفاًa thunderous crash منfrom صياحِهمtheir cries
ومُسمِعين قَصيفاً من صياحِهم
honing blades from their written pages,
The best of hearts are hearts in their breasts
and sounding a thunderous crash from their cries.
And the most truthful tears flow from their eyes.
لئنif indeed يَعيشواthey live فرجِّيthen hope منfrom عزائِمهمtheir resolve
لئن يَعيشوا فرجِّي من عزائِمهم
أمراًa deed يؤخِّرهُdelays it تَفريقُthe scattering شملِهمtheir unity
أمراً يؤخِّرهُ تَفريقُ شملِهم
If they live, hope from their resolve for
For angels is the kindness of their traits
a deed delayed by the scattering of their ranks.
And for gazelles the radiance of their generosity.
وإنand if يموتواthey die فقُوليthen say ليتَهمwould that they خلدُواlived forever
وإن يموتوا فقُولي ليتَهم خلدُوا
وابكيand weep علىover زَهراتٍblossoms منof شبابهمtheir youth
وابكي على زَهراتٍ من شبابهم
And if they die, say, 'Would that they lived forever!'
Take my tears and poems, for how much scattered
and weep over the blossoms of their youth.
And composed mention is between them.
قِفيstand علىupon الشاطئِthe shore المسقيّwatered منby دمِهمtheir blood
قِفي على الشاطئِ المسقيّ من دمِهم
ودمعِهمand their tears وارقبيand watch for أيامَthe days عودِهمtheir return
ودمعِهم وارقبي أيامَ عودِهم
Stand upon the shore watered by their blood
Take my feelings, take my heart, take with it
and tears, and watch for the days of their return.
The sincerity of affection, for nothing but truth lasts.
قفيstand هنالكَthere فوقَupon الرّملِthe sand باكيةًweeping
قفي هنالكَ فوقَ الرّملِ باكيةً
ونشّقيهمand let them inhale عَبيراًfragrance منfrom حُقولهمtheir fields
ونشّقيهم عَبيراً من حُقولهم
Stand there upon the sand, weeping,
Take my hope, take my longing, take my torment,
and let them breathe fragrance from their fields.
Take my weeping for my people and their condition.
وذكِّريهمand remind them منof الأيامِthe days أجمَلَهاthe fairest
وذكِّريهم من الأيامِ أجمَلَها
لعلّperhaps فيin الذّكرremembrance تشديداًstrengthening لعَزمهمtheir resolve
لعلّ في الذّكر تشديداً لعَزمهم
Remind them of the fairest of days;
In it the valley's murmur, the breeze's melody,
perhaps remembrance will strengthen their resolve.
The spring's fragrance, the night's dew.
نوحيlament كعصفورةٍlike a little bird أفراخُهاwhose fledglings نزَحتdeparted
نوحي كعصفورةٍ أفراخُها نزَحت
نَوحاًa lament تقابلهُanswer it الأملاكُthe angels بالنّغَمwith melodies
نَوحاً تقابلهُ الأملاكُ بالنّغَم
Lament like a little bird whose fledglings have departed,
In it their passion, their memory and their ordeal,
a lament that angels answer with melodies.
In it light of sun and star gleam.
ورجّعيهand repeat it لعلّperhaps اللهَGod يرحمُناhas mercy on us
ورجّعيه لعلّ اللهَ يرحمُنا
فالجرحُfor the wound ياO هندُHind جرحٌa wound غيرُnot مُلتئمhealed
فالجرحُ يا هندُ جرحٌ غيرُ مُلتئم
Repeat it; perhaps God will have mercy on us,
It is they, the beloved ones, whether they went or stayed
for the wound, O Hind, is a wound unhealed.
So cry over them and melt from their separation.
والخطبُand the calamity واللهِby God خَطبٌa calamity فوقَbeyond طاقتِناour strength
والخطبُ واللهِ خَطبٌ فوقَ طاقتِنا
ودَمعُناand our tears فيهِfor it دمعٌtears غيرُnot مُنكتمconcealed
ودَمعُنا فيهِ دمعٌ غيرُ مُنكتم
The calamity, by God, exceeds our strength,
They split apart and long misery without solace
and our tears for it cannot be concealed.
Afflicted them, and perhaps they blasphemed their Lord.
إذاwhen رأيتِyou see نجومَstars الليلِthe night طالعةًrising
إذا رأيتِ نجومَ الليلِ طالعةً
علىover الدّساكِرthe villages والوديانand valleys والأكمand hills
على الدّساكِر والوديان والأكم
When you see the night stars rising
The best of hearts are hearts in their chests
over the villages, valleys, and hills,
And the most truthful tears flow from their eyes.
قوليsay هنالكَthere أَحبابٌloved ones يؤرّقُهمkeeps them awake
قولي هنالكَ أَحبابٌ يؤرّقُهم
تذكارُremembrance أرضٍa land نأواthey departed عَنهاfrom it لكبرهمout of their pride
تذكارُ أرضٍ نأوا عَنها لكبرهم
say: 'There are loved ones kept awake
For angels is the kindness of their traits
by remembrance of a land they left out of pride.'
And for gazelles the radiance of their generosity.
حيّاmay greet الغمامُthe clouds بلاداًa land أنتِyou بَهجتُهاits delight
حيّا الغمامُ بلاداً أنتِ بَهجتُها
والقبحُand ugliness منهاof it جمالٌbeauty فيin عيونِهمtheir eyes
والقبحُ منها جمالٌ في عيونِهم
May clouds greet a land whose delight you are,
Take my tears and poems, for how much scattered
whose ugliness is beauty in their eyes.
And composed mention is between them.
ألقواthey cast عليهاover it رداءًa cloak فيin شقاوتِهاits misery
ألقوا عليها رداءً في شقاوتِها
فهلare any أرقُّmore tender شعوراًin feeling منthan نفوسهمtheir souls
فهل أرقُّ شعوراً من نفوسهم
They cast a cloak over it in its misery;
Take my feelings, take my heart, take with it
are any souls more tender in feeling than theirs?
The sincerity of affection, for nothing but truth lasts.
ليتwould that المقيمينthose staying مثلُlike الحاضرينَthose present هناhere
ليت المقيمين مثلُ الحاضرينَ هنا
وليتَهمand would that they فعلواdid شيئاًsomething لخيرِهمfor their good
وليتَهم فعلوا شيئاً لخيرِهم
Would that those staying there were like those present here,
Take my hope, take my longing, take my torment,
and would that they did something for their own good!
Take my weeping for my people and their condition.
وليتَهمand would that they أسمعوناlet us hear منfrom هُناكَthere صدىan echo
وليتَهم أسمعونا من هُناكَ صدى
لِكيso that نقوِّيwe strengthen هُناhere آمالَناour hopes بهمin them
لِكي نقوِّي هُنا آمالَنا بهم
Would that they let us hear an echo from there,
In it the valley's murmur, the breeze's melody,
so that here we might strengthen our hopes in them!
The spring's fragrance, the night's dew.
صِيحيcry out بهمto them صَيحةًa cry فيthrough الأرضِthe earth داويةًresounding
صِيحي بهم صَيحةً في الأرضِ داويةً
عَساهُمُperhaps they will أنto يهبّواrise منfrom خمولهمtheir lethargy
عَساهُمُ أن يهبّوا من خمولهم
Cry out to them with a cry resounding through the earth;
In it their passion, their memory and their ordeal,
perhaps they will rise from their lethargy.
In it light of sun and star gleam.
النّازحونَthe emigrants أعزّmay honor اللهُGod غُربَتَهمtheir exile
النّازحونَ أعزّ اللهُ غُربَتَهم
يُحيونَkeep alive بينَamong الورىmankind تذكارَthe memory عِيدهمtheir festival
يُحيونَ بينَ الورى تذكارَ عِيدهم
The emigrants—may God honor their exile—
Return them as greetings divided
keep alive among mankind the memory of their festival.
Among the noble sons who were dutiful to their mother.
فأسمِعيهمso let them hear أغانيَّmy songs الحِمىthe homeland وخُذيand take
فأسمِعيهم أغانيَّ الحِمى وخُذي
نهارَthe day سَعدِكِyour happiness منfrom أنوارِthe lights ليلهِمtheir night
نهارَ سَعدِكِ من أنوارِ ليلهِم
Let them hear my songs of the homeland, and take
So if alive they will mix, with hope,
your happy day from the lights of their night.
Tear with tear, and if dead, blood with blood.
تذكَّريهمremember them وموجwhile the waves البحرthe sea ملتطمٌclashing
تذكَّريهم وموج البحر ملتطمٌ
كأنas though فيهwithin it رنيناًa ringing منof عويلهمtheir wailing
كأن فيه رنيناً من عويلهم
Remember them while the sea's waves clash,
as though their wailing rang within it.
تذكّريهمremember them وريحُwhile the wind الشرقِthe east نافخةٌblowing
تذكّريهم وريحُ الشرقِ نافخةٌ
كأنهاas though it زفراتٌsighs منfrom صُدورِهمtheir breasts
كأنها زفراتٌ من صُدورِهم
Remember them while the east wind blows,
as though it were sighs from their breasts.
تذكّريهمremember them وطيرُwhile the birds الغَربِthe west راحلةٌdeparting
تذكّريهم وطيرُ الغَربِ راحلةٌ
وفيand in تغاريدِهاtheir songs ماwhat فيin حَنينهمtheir yearning
وفي تغاريدِها ما في حَنينهم
Remember them while the birds of the west depart,
their songs containing what lives in their yearning.
تذكّريهمremember them وشمسُwhile the sun الصّيفِsummer طالعةٌrising
تذكّريهم وشمسُ الصّيفِ طالعةٌ
وفيand in أشعَّتهاits rays منsome of حرّthe heat شوقِهمtheir longing
وفي أشعَّتها من حرّ شوقِهم
Remember them while the summer sun rises,
its rays bearing some of their longing's heat.
تذكّريهمremember them ودَمعُwhile the tears الطلِّdew منتثرٌscattered
تذكّريهم ودَمعُ الطلِّ منتثرٌ
وفيهِand within it بردٌcoolness وأنسٌand comfort منfrom سَلامِهمtheir greetings
وفيهِ بردٌ وأنسٌ من سَلامِهم
Remember them while the tears of dew lie scattered,
holding the coolness and comfort of their greetings.
هُمُthey الأحِبَّةُthe loved ones إنif غابواthey are absent وإنand if حَضرُواthey are present
هُمُ الأحِبَّةُ إن غابوا وإن حَضرُوا
فابكيso weep عليهمover them وذُوبيand melt منfrom فراقِهمseparation from them
فابكي عليهم وذُوبي من فراقِهم
They are the loved ones, absent or present;
weep over them and melt with separation from them.
شَقواthey suffered وطالتand grew long بلاwithout سلوىsolace شَقاوتُهمtheir suffering
شَقوا وطالت بلا سلوى شَقاوتُهم
ورُبّماand perhaps كفَرواthey disbelieved يأساًin despair بربِّهمin their Lord
ورُبّما كفَروا يأساً بربِّهم
They suffered, and their suffering grew long without solace;
perhaps, in despair, they denied their Lord.
خيرُthe best القلوبِhearts قلوبٌhearts فيwithin جوانِحهمtheir breasts
خيرُ القلوبِ قلوبٌ في جوانِحهم
وأَصدَقُand the truest الدَّمعِtears يجرِيflow منfrom جُفونهمtheir eyelids
وأَصدَقُ الدَّمعِ يجرِي من جُفونهم
The best of hearts are the hearts within their breasts,
and the truest tears flow from their eyelids.
فللملائكِfor the angels لطفٌgentleness منfrom شمائلهمtheir qualities
فللملائكِ لطفٌ من شمائلهم
وللخمائلand for the groves نضرٌfreshness منfrom سَخائِهمtheir generosity
وللخمائل نضرٌ من سَخائِهم
The angels' gentleness comes from their qualities,
and the groves' freshness from their generosity.
حيِّيsalute نساءًwomen شريفاتٍnoble حَملنَcarried لناfor us
حيِّي نساءً شريفاتٍ حَملنَ لنا
نورَthe light الرّجاءhope فجلَّىso dispelled ظُلمةَthe darkness الغممsorrows
نورَ الرّجاء فجلَّى ظُلمةَ الغمم
Salute noble women who carried for us
the light of hope, dispelling the darkness of sorrows.
هنَّthey الكواكبُstars فيin ليلِthe night البعادِseparation فلاso let them not
هنَّ الكواكبُ في ليلِ البعادِ فلا
يضجرنgrow weary فيin الخيرgoodness والإحسانand charity منof نعمblessings
يضجرن في الخير والإحسان من نعم
They are stars in the night of separation; let them not
weary of blessings in goodness and charity.
فعانقيso embrace الأخواتِthe sisters الآمناتِsafe هناhere
فعانقي الأخواتِ الآمناتِ هنا
مثلَlike الحمامdoves الذيthat يأويtake shelter إلىin الحرَمthe sanctuary
مثلَ الحمام الذي يأوي إلى الحرَم
Embrace the sisters safe here,
like doves that take shelter in the sanctuary.
حيِّيsalute رجالاًmen بأهوالِat the terrors النّوىexile هزأُواscoffed
حيِّي رجالاً بأهوالِ النّوى هزأُوا
مُستَعذِبينَfinding sweet الرّدىdeath منfor أجلِthe sake أَهلِهمtheir families
مُستَعذِبينَ الرّدى من أجلِ أَهلِهم
Salute men who scorned the terrors of exile,
finding death sweet for their families' sake.
طارُواthey flew نُسوراًas eagles وحيُّواand greeted الشمسَthe sun طالعةًrising
طارُوا نُسوراً وحيُّوا الشمسَ طالعةً
وعزَّزواand strengthened وُكُناتٍnests منwith فِراخِهمtheir fledglings
وعزَّزوا وُكُناتٍ من فِراخِهم
They flew as eagles and greeted the rising sun,
and strengthened nests with their fledglings.
تشُوقُهمstir their longing أبداًforever تلكَthose الربوعُlands ولاand not
تشُوقُهم أبداً تلكَ الربوعُ ولا
يرونَthey see فيهاwithin them سوىanything but أَقفاصِcages أسرهمtheir captivity
يرونَ فيها سوى أَقفاصِ أسرهم
Those lands forever stir their longing, yet
they see in them only the cages of their captivity.
خُذيtake دُموعيmy tears وأشعاريand my poems فكمhow many ذِكرٍa memory
خُذي دُموعي وأشعاري فكم ذِكرٍ
ماwhat is بينَbetween مُنتَثرٍscattered مِنهاamong them ومُنتَظِمand ordered
ما بينَ مُنتَثرٍ مِنها ومُنتَظِم
Take my tears and my poems—how many memories
lie scattered or ordered among them!
خُذيtake شُعوريmy feeling خُذيtake قلبيmy heart خُذيtake مَعهُwith it
خُذي شُعوري خُذي قلبي خُذي مَعهُ
صدقَthe truth الوَدادِaffection فغيرُfor anything but الصّدقِtruth لمnot يَدُمendured
صدقَ الوَدادِ فغيرُ الصّدقِ لم يَدُم
Take my feeling, take my heart, and take with it
true affection, for nothing but truth has endured.
خُذيtake رجائيmy hope خُذيtake شوقيmy longing خُذيtake ألميmy pain
خُذي رجائي خُذي شوقي خُذي ألمي
خُذيtake بُكائيmy weeping علىover قوميmy people وحالِهمand their condition
خُذي بُكائي على قومي وحالِهم
Take my hope, take my longing, take my pain,
take my weeping over my people and their condition.
فيهاwithin them هديرٌa roar منfrom الواديthe valley وهينَمةٌand a murmur
فيها هديرٌ من الوادي وهينَمةٌ
منfrom النّسيمِthe breeze وعطرٌand fragrance منfrom رَبيعهمtheir spring
من النّسيمِ وعطرٌ من رَبيعهم
Within them are a roar from the valley and a murmur
from the breeze, and fragrance from their spring.
فيهاwithin them ندىdew اللّيلِthe night فيهاwithin them نوحةٌa lament عَذُبتgrew sweet
فيها ندى اللّيلِ فيها نوحةٌ عَذُبت
منfrom الصّنوبرِthe pines فيهاwithin them نورُthe light شمسِهمtheir sun
من الصّنوبرِ فيها نورُ شمسِهم
Within them is the night's dew, within them a sweet lament
from the pines, within them the light of their sun.
فيهاwithin them هَواهمlove for them وذكراهمand their memory وبلوَتُهمand their affliction
فيها هَواهم وذكراهم وبلوَتُهم
فيهاwithin them رجاءٌhope ومجدٌand glory منfrom نُهوضهمtheir rising
فيها رجاءٌ ومجدٌ من نُهوضهم
Within them are love for them, their memory, and their affliction;
within them are hope and glory from their rising.
ورجِّعيهاand send them echoing تحيّاتٍas greetings مُقَسَّمةًdistributed
ورجِّعيها تحيّاتٍ مُقَسَّمةً
علىamong البنينَthe sons الألىwho برّواwere dutiful بأمِّهمto their mother
على البنينَ الألى برّوا بأمِّهم
Send them echoing as greetings distributed
among the sons who were dutiful to their mother.
فيمزجونَso they mingle إذاif عاشواthey live علىin أَملٍhope
فيمزجونَ إذا عاشوا على أَملٍ
دَمعاًtears بدَمعٍwith tears وإنand if ماتواthey die دَماًblood بدَمwith blood
دَمعاً بدَمعٍ وإن ماتوا دَماً بدَم
Thus, if they live in hope, they mingle
tears with tears, and if they die, blood with blood.
Partial English translation: 250 of 296 Arabic lines translated.