سمعنا بالوفاء وما رأينا

سمعنا بالوفاء وما رأينا

وفا واحدا أبدا بعهد

وفا واحدا أبدا بعهد

We have heard of faithfulness, yet never have we seen

We have heard of fidelity, but have not seen

a single person ever keep a pledge.

a single act of faithfulness to a pledge, ever.

هجرت الناس بل هم صارموني

هجرت الناس بل هم صارموني

لأني لست ذا جدة ونقد

لأني لست ذا جدة ونقد

I shunned the people—rather, it was they who severed ties with me—

I shunned people—rather, they severed ties with me,

because I possess neither wealth nor ready coin.

because I possess neither wealth nor ready cash.

وقد ذكر الوفاء فقال قوم

وقد ذكر الوفاء فقال قوم

مقالا واسعا قبلي وبعدي

مقالا واسعا قبلي وبعدي

Faithfulness was mentioned, and people spoke

And fidelity has been mentioned, and people have spoken

at length—before me and after me.

at length, before me and after me.