الحلاج Al-Hallaj ثلاثيات Thulathiyat, the Trinities سكوت ثم صمت ثم خرس Quiet then muteness then silence وعلم ثم وجد ثم رمس Knowledge then ecstasy then grave وطين ثم نار ثم نور Clay then fire then light و برد ثم ظل ثم شمس Cold then shadow then sun وحزن…
Mu’allaqah of Labid
The meter and recitation of this Pre-Islamic masterpiece are simply spellbinding…
Shirazi Turk (Hafez)
The story goes that when Timurlane conquered Shiraz, he questioned Hafez about the first bayt of this poem, saying it was an insult to his royal majesty for Hafez to think so little of his magnificent cities, Samarkand and Bukhara. The poet replied, “Alas, O Prince, it is this prodigality which is the cause of the…
The Lost Joseph (Hafez) – یوسف گمگشته بازآید به کنعان غم مخور
One of the better English translations of one of my favorite poems from the greatest poet, Hafez: Your lost Joseph will return to Canaan, do not grieve This house of sorrows will become a garden, do not grieve Oh grieving heart, you will mend, do not despair This frenzied mind will return to calm, do…
Ibn al-Farid’s Khamriyyah
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mwOZvUch2pE Translation: Rememb’ring the belovèd, wine we drink Which drunk had made us ere the vine’s creation. A sun it is; the full moon is its cup; A crescent hands it round; how many stars Shine forth from it the moment it be mixed! But for its fragrance ne’er had I been guided Unto…
Layla
(English adaptation by Martin Lings) Full near I came unto where dwelleth Layla, when I heard her call. That voice, would I might ever hear it! She favored me, and drew me to her, Took me in, into her precinct, With discourse intimate addressed me. She sat me by her, then came closer, Raised the…
Andalusian Songs
Andalusian Songs e-book…
Singing Rags
Singing Rags e-Book…
Songs and Sighs
songs and sighs e-book…