يا ناي كيف عرفت أرباب الهوى

يا ناي كيف عرفت أرباب الهوى

وحكيتهم فيه حكاية صادق

وحكيتهم فيه حكاية صادق

O reed flute, how did you know the devotees of love,

O flute, how did you know the lovers' pains

And portray them in their love as a truthful teller would?

And tell of them with truth in your refrain

فكان صوتك انة بعث الجوى

فكان صوتك انة بعث الجوى

وكأن غابك من ضلوع العاشق

وكأن غابك من ضلوع العاشق

So your voice was a moan sent forth by burning longing,

Your sound revived their ardour once again

And it is as though your reed were made from the lover’s ribs.

As if it issued from a lover's veins