وَنَديمُ سارِقٍ نادَمَني

وَنَديمُ سارِقٍ نادَمَني

وَهوَ عِندي غَيرَ مَذمومِ الخُلُقِ

وَهوَ عِندي غَيرَ مَذمومِ الخُلُقِ

And a thieving companion drank with me,

And a thief's drinking companion blamed me

And to me his character is not blameworthy.

Though he is not ill-mannered in my company

ضاعَفَ الكَورِ عَلى هامَتِهِ

ضاعَفَ الكَورِ عَلى هامَتِهِ

وَطَوى مَنديلَنا طَيَّ الخِرَق

وَطَوى مَنديلَنا طَيَّ الخِرَق

He doubled the turban folds upon his head,

He doubled the cups on his head

And folded our napkin as one folds rags.

And folded our handkerchief, worn from being torn

يا أَبا دَهمانَ لَو جامَلتَنا

يا أَبا دَهمانَ لَو جامَلتَنا

لَكَفَيناكَ مَئوناتِ السَّرَق

لَكَفَيناكَ مَئوناتِ السَّرَق

O Abu Dahman, had you treated us graciously,

Oh Abā Dahmān, had you been more tactful with us

We would have spared you the burdens of stealing.

We would have provided for you, saving you from theft