ركبنا مطايا الشّوقِ سعياً إليكُم

ركبنا مطايا الشّوقِ سعياً إليكُم

لِنشفي فؤاداً بالفراقِ معذّبا

لِنشفي فؤاداً بالفراقِ معذّبا

We rode the mounts of longing, hastening toward you,

We mounted the steeds of longing, seeking you,

To heal a heart tormented by separation.

To heal a heart tortured by parting.

فلم نلقَ منكمْ مَا عَهِدناه أوّلا

فلم نلقَ منكمْ مَا عَهِدناه أوّلا

ولا قلتم أَهلاً وسَهلاً ومَرحبا

ولا قلتم أَهلاً وسَهلاً ومَرحبا

Yet we did not find in you what we had known before,

But we did not find in you what we knew before,

Nor did you say, 'Welcome, be at ease, and welcome!'

Nor did you say "Welcome!" and "Enter freely!" and "Greetings!"