وَكُنّا اِرتَقَينا في صُعودٍ مِنَ الهَوى

وَكُنّا اِرتَقَينا في صُعودٍ مِنَ الهَوى

فَلَمّا تَوافَينا ثَبَتُّ وَزَلَّتِ

فَلَمّا تَوافَينا ثَبَتُّ وَزَلَّتِ

And we had climbed an ascent of love;

We had climbed the heights of passion hand in hand

so when we came together, I stood firm, and she slipped.

But when we reached the top, my steps faltered and yours held firm

وَكُنّا عَقَدنا عُقدَةَ الوَصلِ بَينَنا

وَكُنّا عَقَدنا عُقدَةَ الوَصلِ بَينَنا

فَلَمّا تَواثَقنا شَدَدتُ وَحَلَّتِ

فَلَمّا تَواثَقنا شَدَدتُ وَحَلَّتِ

And we had tied the knot of union between us;

We had tied the knot of love between us

so when we pledged ourselves to each other, I tightened it, and she untied it.

But when it drew tight, it strangled me and set you free