Let Me Embrace Hope in You
By Hussein Abdulrahman Basunbul & Sung by Karama Mersal
translated by Hatem Al-Shamea
Oh, let me embrace hope in you,
And sing a song of victory anew,
I’ll send the joy of my life’s embrace,
To kiss the dawn upon your face.
A heart that loves beauty I’ll bestow,
Protecting you from time’s cruel blow,
For you’re the answer, you’re the quest,
The heart’s desire, the very best.
Upon the shore of memories we met,
To weave tales of a glorious nation yet,
All that we’ve shared, a covenant now,
Upon the breast of a new era’s vow.
Those birds that left their dreams’ domain,
To Yemen’s land, shall soon return again,
To Sana’a’s embrace, with longing deep,
In Aden’s arms, their dreams shall sleep.
If they should ask, “To whom this yearning’s call?”
“To whom?” I’ll answer, shaking mountains tall,
With voice that echoes through the land so wide,
“To every inch of Yemen’s soil, my pride!”
Here in my homeland, unity I see,
Its radiant light guides all who journey free,
Transforming all into a paradise so grand,
Where toiling hands find happiness at hand.
A smile etched on my face, a joy so pure,
In which all tender hearts find solace sure,
If they should ask, “To whom you’ve given life?”
“To whom?” I’ll answer, piercing every strife,
With voice that echoes through the land so wide,
“To Yemen’s soil, my heart, my soul, my guide!”
Yemen, my land, my love, my life’s desire,
In your embrace, my dreams forever fire,
A symphony of hope, a chorus of delight,
In your embrace, my soul takes flight.
In Proof that I Am Not Dead – Yaseen Al-Bukali – trans. Hatem Al-Shamea
