Oued El Bey – English Lyrics
Stories erupted,
Like confused cries in the red lands.
The ground trembled, carving out cracks,
Tracing uncertain paths in the valleys.
Count my breaths, mother. This is the land of the wretched.
Ignorance overflowed,
And sorrows came knocking at its door.
The land adorned itself with rocks and drought —
That’s what the colonizer said.
The entire homeland
Is dear; I accept no other.
We are the brave,
And we will never sell its crescent moon,
Because we are its guardians.
Lone wolf,
On the mountain, the rocks are his allies.
His piercing gaze defies the cowards.
The prey has entered its lair. An untamable lion,
He is not seduced
By the medals the occupier hangs
On the shoulders of his accomplices,
Nor by poisoned gifts.
Fear neither the enemy nor his traps.
Let go of the reins — forward!
He spotted his enemies,
Marked them with his gaze,
Mounted his horse, drew his weapon.
The volcano rumbled,
And his powder cracked through the air.
A brave woman rose in the valley of the Bey,
Throwing burning stones at the soldiers.
I swore, in the name of my children:
The arm will not surrender.
The homeland calls me,
And never… will I abandon it.
Lone wolf,
On the mountain, the rocks are his allies.
His piercing gaze defies the cowards.
The prey has entered its lair. An untamable lion,
He is not seduced
By the medals the occupier hangs
On the shoulders of his accomplices,
Nor by poisoned gifts.
Fear neither the enemy nor his traps.
Let go of the reins — forward!
(Lyrics written by Selma Hobbi)