Over two years ago Mohammed Bouaziz, a fruit vendor holding a degree in engineering, set himself on fire protesting the Tunisian government's treatment of its people. This act and the protests that it sparked quickly led to protests and "people's movements" across the Arab world and beyond. Today, despite some political re-shuffling, meaningful reforms have yet to be realized in most of the regions countries and the protests continue. A quick look at the Middle East section of any major news outlet can leave someone following the region feeling a bit pessimistic.
However, it is important to remember that these movements of the "people" seeking "change" (both amorphous terms) are not a new phenomenom in the Middle East or elsewhere. In fact one the most heard pieces of poetry heard chanted in Tunis and elsewhere is a poem by the Tunisian poet Abi- Qassim Ash-Shabbi written over eighty years ago during his countries struggle for independence from French occupation. The poem has been translated many times and this is my attempt. This is my first attempt at poetry so bear with me. Of course I welcome criticism and advice and if any of you would like to add you own translation you can send it to me at opwilcox@gmail.com or post it in the comments section.
ارادة الحياة: بقلم أبي قاسم الشابي
"The Desire to Live" : Translated by Orion Wilcox
إذا الشّعْبُ يَوْمَاً أرَادَ الْحَيَـاةَ = فلا بُدَّ أنْ يَسْتَجِيبَ القَـدَر
If the people were to yearn for life - there is no doubt that fate will be fulfilled
وَلا بُـدَّ لِلَّيـْلِ أنْ يَنْجَلِــي = وَلا بُدَّ للقَيْدِ أَنْ يَـنْكَسِـر
And no doubt that there will be an end to the night - and no doubt that the shackles will be shattered
وَمَنْ لَمْ يُعَانِقْهُ شَوْقُ الْحَيَـاةِ = تَبَخَّـرَ في جوهـا وَانْدَثَـر
And who has not been embraced by the desire to live- vanishes in her midst, and is forgotten
فَوَيْلٌ لِمَنْ لَمْ تَشُقْـهُ الْحَيَاةُ = مِنْ صَفْعَـةِ العَـدَم المُنْتَصِر
So woe to who has not desired life - from the slap of the vanquishing void
كَذلِكَ قَالَـتْ لِـيَ الكَائِنَاتُ = وَحَدّثَنـي رُوحُـهَا المُسْتَتِر
This is what the creatures have told me - and what was said to me by nature's unseen spirit.
Translator's notes:
1. I have translated لا بد as "no doubt." The direct translation would be inevitably, "no doubt" being لا شك but I felt that no doubt fit better without changing the meaning.
2. تبخر literally means to "be vaporized" but I thought that was a bit much.
However, it is important to remember that these movements of the "people" seeking "change" (both amorphous terms) are not a new phenomenom in the Middle East or elsewhere. In fact one the most heard pieces of poetry heard chanted in Tunis and elsewhere is a poem by the Tunisian poet Abi- Qassim Ash-Shabbi written over eighty years ago during his countries struggle for independence from French occupation. The poem has been translated many times and this is my attempt. This is my first attempt at poetry so bear with me. Of course I welcome criticism and advice and if any of you would like to add you own translation you can send it to me at opwilcox@gmail.com or post it in the comments section.
ارادة الحياة: بقلم أبي قاسم الشابي
"The Desire to Live" : Translated by Orion Wilcox
إذا الشّعْبُ يَوْمَاً أرَادَ الْحَيَـاةَ = فلا بُدَّ أنْ يَسْتَجِيبَ القَـدَر
If the people were to yearn for life - there is no doubt that fate will be fulfilled
وَلا بُـدَّ لِلَّيـْلِ أنْ يَنْجَلِــي = وَلا بُدَّ للقَيْدِ أَنْ يَـنْكَسِـر
And no doubt that there will be an end to the night - and no doubt that the shackles will be shattered
وَمَنْ لَمْ يُعَانِقْهُ شَوْقُ الْحَيَـاةِ = تَبَخَّـرَ في جوهـا وَانْدَثَـر
And who has not been embraced by the desire to live- vanishes in her midst, and is forgotten
فَوَيْلٌ لِمَنْ لَمْ تَشُقْـهُ الْحَيَاةُ = مِنْ صَفْعَـةِ العَـدَم المُنْتَصِر
So woe to who has not desired life - from the slap of the vanquishing void
كَذلِكَ قَالَـتْ لِـيَ الكَائِنَاتُ = وَحَدّثَنـي رُوحُـهَا المُسْتَتِر
This is what the creatures have told me - and what was said to me by nature's unseen spirit.
Translator's notes:
1. I have translated لا بد as "no doubt." The direct translation would be inevitably, "no doubt" being لا شك but I felt that no doubt fit better without changing the meaning.
2. تبخر literally means to "be vaporized" but I thought that was a bit much.
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