Translation of the song مثل صبيا artist Balqees Fathi

مثل صبيا في الغواني ماتشوف

The likes of a young maiden, you don't see, even amongst those most artlessly beautiful of women who need no grooming*

ناشرات الفل والنقش اليماني في الكفوف

Those maidens that scatter the jasmines at weddings, with Yemeni-style henna tattoos adorning their palms

والعيون الدعج من تحت المقالم فيها خوف

With those really black and white eyes of theirs, betraying their trepidation under the kohl**

خوف يسبي الناظرين يبعث الحب الدفين

My concern is this sight would captivate the onlookers, eliciting deep-seated admiration

أه أه يامعين

Oh, oh, Lord have mercy!

اعذروني في الهوى ياهل الملام

Let those of you quick to point fingers hold back their condemnation for my infatuation

والسبب نظره وربي قد بلاني بالسهام

For it was all brought on by a passing glance, after which my Lord has brought me to a time of trial, and hurled arrows at me

لو حصل مره ومحبوبي دعاني بأهتمام

If it should happen that, for but once, my beloved should call upon me with attentiveness in their voice

انسى روحي والانين والهوى عندي مكين

I would forget myself, and all the grunts and whines; the infatuation I have cannot be contained

أه أه يامعين

Oh, oh, Lord have mercy!

كم على جيزان في خضر الروابي والسفوح

Many a time amidst the green hills and meadows of Jizan,

انشد السلوان في حلو التصابي والسروح

For solace, I have taken to writing poetry, of the bewitchment of childlike coyness and meandering

اسأل الركبان عن صبيا ومالي للنزوح

I ask the caravans of that one young maiden, and I feel no need of abandoning this life for the city

غير حب الساكنين هوه في قلبي مكين

Except for love of those who inhabit it; in my heart, it cannot be contained

أه أه يامعين

Oh, oh, Lord have mercy!