إنَّ لي نَفْساً تَسَامى

إنَّ لي نَفْساً تَسَامى

عَنْ قَليلٍ تَتَلاشَى

عَنْ قَليلٍ تَتَلاشَى

Indeed, I have a soul that soars;

I have a soul that aspires

before long, it fades away.

Beyond paltry things that wither

إنّما العَيْشُ لِشَخْصٍ

إنّما العَيْشُ لِشَخْصٍ

رَاشَهُ الدَّهْرُ فَراشَا

رَاشَهُ الدَّهْرُ فَراشَا

Life is only for one

For life is but for one

whom Time has enriched, so he prospers.

Whose bed is made by fate

وإذا نالَ غناءً

وإذا نالَ غناءً

نالَهُ الغَيْرُ مَعاشا

نالَهُ الغَيْرُ مَعاشا

And when he gains wealth,

And if he gains a song

others gain it as their livelihood.

Others gain sustenance