للهto God (in praise) دربroad الحديدiron كمhow many a كفلrump
لله درب الحديد كم كفل
رباrose بهupon it والثديّand the breasts قدindeed رجفتquivered
ربا به والثديّ قد رجفت
God bless the iron road—how many a rump
How many burdens has iron door borne,
has risen upon it, while breasts have quivered!
As it quivered with the breasts clinging to it.
لوif لمnot يكنbe غيرother than تلكthat فائدةa benefit
لو لم يكن غير تلك فائدة
لناfor us بهfrom it دونapart from أتوهits swift travel لكفتit would suffice
لنا به دون أتوه لكفت
Were that the only benefit
If it had no other merit for us
it brought us, apart from its swift travel, it would suffice.
Except shielding the one inside, that would suffice.