يا طول عذابي [Ya tul Azabi] [English translation]

Oum Kalthoum - O how long is my distress

O how long is my distress and my longing, between your distance and our meeting

How often have I struggled with sleep and complained of your lengthy absence from my vision?

I say to my heart: "Why all this sadness, when he will (soon) soften and come to me,

"Be patient with the days, your dreams will come true,

and you will see the love of the soul come, offer me his proximity and make me happy"

And I forgot the nights of longing and crying, and I became scared lest my time escape me

Without telling him about my grief

in those days when he was away from me

At that time, I am confused - which hardship to choose?

The distance of the beloved, although long, and you, O my heart, are full of wishes?

Or meeting with him, whilst patience is little, and life runs away when we are close together?

I met him after a period of absence, my greeting mixed with reproach

And after my eyes were filled, silence came between him and I

I wanted to tell him about my hardship, my eyes revealing to him my prolonged humiliation

I did not complain of his abandonment, and the curiosity of my bewildered heart

And though I thought I'd illustrate to him my joy when I see him present with me

I could not say to him - your neglect has made me weary - nor could I say to him your proximity has pleased me

When I uttered to speak, my heart cried out in pain

• Artist:Oum Kalthoum