ما جليدٌ يوم النوى بجليدِ

ما جليدٌ يوم النوى بجليدِ

بعدت والمزار غير بعيدِ

بعدت والمزار غير بعيدِ

No steadfast soul stays steadfast on the day of parting.

No steadfast man is steadfast on the day of parting.

She has gone far, though the meeting place is not far.

She grew distant, though the place of meeting is not far.

خبَّرت عن ضميرها عبراتٌ

خبَّرت عن ضميرها عبراتٌ

صرنَ عوناً على الفؤادِ العميدِ

صرنَ عوناً على الفؤادِ العميدِ

Her tears disclosed what she concealed within;

Tears spoke of her innermost feelings;

they joined forces against the love-stricken heart.

They became allies against the love-stricken heart.

يا ليالي اللذات باللَه عودي

يا ليالي اللذات باللَه عودي

بين قبُرونيا وباب الحديدِ

بين قبُرونيا وباب الحديدِ

O nights of delight, for God’s sake, return—

O nights of pleasure, by God, return,

between Qabrūniyā and the Iron Gate,

Between Qaburuniya and the Iron Gate,

بين تلك الرُبى وقد نسج الوبل

بين تلك الرُبى وقد نسج الوبل

بكفِّ الربيعِ رَيطَ البرود

بكفِّ الربيعِ رَيطَ البرود

among those hills, where the downpour had woven

Among those hills, where the downpour has woven

with spring’s own hand the fine cloths of striped robes.

With spring’s hand, fine robes of striped cloth.

خدُّه ضدَّ صدغه مثل ما ال

خدُّه ضدَّ صدغه مثل ما ال

وعد إذا ما خبرتَ ضدَّ الوعيد

وعد إذا ما خبرتَ ضدَّ الوعيد

His cheek’s opposite is his temple-lock, just as the—

His cheek contrasts with his temple-lock, just as the

promise, when tested, is the opposite of the threat.

promise, when you examine it, contrasts with the threat.

طلب الطبلُ طائلاتٍ من الزمر

طلب الطبلُ طائلاتٍ من الزمر

وعاد السرور إذ عاد عودي

وعاد السرور إذ عاد عودي

The drum settled old scores with the pipes,

The drum sought vengeance on the piping,

and joy returned when my oud returned.

And joy returned when my lute returned.