Intro – Arabian Dance] [Verse 1] Two oceans… one of stars, one of sand… And I have doubts that anyone is found Between these lifeless dune-hills, barren land— To find a path, if just for one day’s round… Last night, Samum—so sudden and so cruel— Attacked the caravan in darkness deep, And greedy was the storm, with savage rule, Its sharpened swords of sand began to sweep Against all those who crossed its fierce domain, Exiling them, relentless in its might… But we endured the squall, endured the pain, Our cloaks spread wide to shield us through the night. [Chorus – Arabian Rhythm] Now peace has come, a presence, real and clear, And lets us, at the last, find our delight— To lose ourselves in bitter tea’s warm bite, And hear the runaway, Fatima, here. She stole away from harem’s gilded cage, Amid the chaos, when the guards were blind Because of fire—and bore upon her mind The wounds of memory, Siham’s ancient page. From there, fifteen long years ago, they took Her youth for lust, the Shah’s unsparing will— Snatched her girlhood with one violent stroke, And brought her to mysterious Mashhad, still. [Bridge – Cosmic Atmosphere] The night dissolved, like a camel’s hump bends low… [break] The campfire died… the voices ceased to flow… [break] But Sirius shone, as brightly as before… [break] Only, now and then, glancing at years in store… [break] At dawn, the caravan will sail again… [break] Toward the nearest oasis, through the plain… [break] Then to the port where caravans repair— [break] In Algiers, where Abdurrahman dwells there… [break] Who once, by chance, in Giza’s valley found [break] Two women, worn and fading, on the ground… [break] And bade them come—he promised them a share— [break] Into his home, where even air is rare… [break] [Arabian Dance] [Verse 2] يا من لا تشتهي لهيبَ الهوى يكفيني سكونٌ يغشى الروحا فنجانُ شايٍ لاثنينِ معاً وقليلٌ من الظلِّ أن يُطيحا وصوتُك في الصمتِ يغني أنينْ يفوقُ الكلامَ ويهدي السكينا فنصمتُ عن كلِّ معنىً ونحنُ نفهمُ ما لم تقلهُ العيونُ يدٌ تمسكُ الكفَّ في اعتدالْ لا تلهثُ خوفاً ولا ترتجفْ هذا هو النضجُ: حبٌّ هديرْ يُحِبُّ في صمتٍ، ويُعطي ويَخِفْ يُداري الجِراحَ بلا صوتِ نايْ ويغفرُ للدهرِ ما قد تكفّى فلا العشقُ يلهو بنا في غرامْ ولا القلبُ يشكو إذا الليلُ أصفى [Chorus] The caravan sailed on, through life’s design— Toward the oasis of love and sweet delight, Through drought and hardship, day and weary night— This path was given us by the Divine. [Outro – Arabian Instrumental]