لعمرBy the life of أبيmy father الراقيwho ascends السماكينthe two Simaks رفعةin eminence
لعمر أبي الراقي السماكين رفعة
وَحاميand guardian of ذمارthe honor of المَجدglory بالحلمwith forbearance والباسand might
وَحامي ذمار المَجد بالحلم والباس
By the life of my father, who rises to the two Simaks in eminence,
By my life, my father raised me high
and guards glory’s honor with forbearance and might,
Guardian of glory with wisdom and courage bold
لَماcertainly not أَناI مَنone who يَرضىis content with القَليلa little منof العُلاeminence
لَما أَنا مَن يَرضى القَليل من العُلا
وَلاnor أَناI مِمَنamong those who يَحتَسيsips فَضلةthe leavings of الكاسthe cup
وَلا أَنا مِمَن يَحتَسي فَضلة الكاس
I am certainly not one content with little eminence,
I'm not one to be content with little fame
nor am I one to sip the cup’s leavings.
Nor one to beg for leftovers from another's table
هِيَit النَفسthe soul فَأَحملهاso compel it عَلىto الضَيمhumiliation أَنto تَردrestore
هِيَ النَفس فَأَحملها عَلى الضَيم أَن تَرد
لَهاto it العزhonor وانفضand shake راحتيكyour two palms مِنof الناسpeople
لَها العز وانفض راحتيك مِن الناس
It is the soul: so make it endure humiliation, to restore
It's my soul so I push it to face injustice
its honor, and wash your hands of people.
To win it honor though you spurn my company