I was an Arab,
I loved my horse;
Swift as an arrow
He swept the course.
Sweet as a lamb
He came to hand;
He was the flower
Of all the land.
Through lonely nights
I rode afar;
God lit His lights-
Star upon star.
God's in the desert;
His breath the air:
Beautiful desert,
Boundless and bare!
Free as the wild wind,
Light as a foal;
Ah, there is room there
To stretch one's soul.
Far reached my thought,
Scant were my needs:
A few bananas
And lotus seeds.
Sparkling as water
Cool in the shade,
Ibrahim's daughter,
Beautiful maid.
Out of thy Kulleh,
Fairest and first,
Give me to drink
Quencher of thirst.
I am athirst, girl;
Parched with desire,
Love in my bosom
Burns as a fire.
Green thy oasis,
Waving with Palms;
Oh, be no niggard,
Maid, with thy alms.
Kiss me with kisses,
Buds of thy mouth,
Sweeter than Cassia
Fresh from the South.
Bind me with tresses,
Clasp with a curl;
And in caresses
Stifle me, girl.
I was an Arab
Ages ago!
Hence this home-sickness
And all my woe.
