لي صديق بلديّ

لي صديق بلديّ

وجهه غيظ وكرب

وجهه غيظ وكرب

I have a friend from my town;

I have a fellow countryman

His face is rage and anguish.

His face, anger and distress

قد رمزناه ليدري

قد رمزناه ليدري

من له فكر وقلب

من له فكر وقلب

We have hinted at him in code, to be recognized

We hinted at him so he knows

By whoever has thought and heart.

Who has a mind and heart

أبدل الحاء بكاف

أبدل الحاء بكاف

ثمّ كنيه بحرب

ثمّ كنيه بحرب

Replace the letter ḥāʾ with kāf,

Replace the 'h' with a 'k'

Then give him the byname Abu Harb.

Then call him by 'war'