Beirut, mon amour

Beirut, ornament of our world

Beirut, exquisite as Paradise’s gardens.

Those shattered mirrors once were

The smiling eyes of children,

Now are star-lit.

This city’s nights are bright.

and luminous is Lebanon.

Beirut, ornament of our world.

Faces decorated with blood

Dazzling, beyond beauty.

Their elegant splendor

Lights up the city’s lanes.

And radiant is Lebanon.

Beirut, ornament of our world.

Every charred house, every ruin

Is equal to Darius’ citadels.

Every warrior brings envy to Alexander.

Every daughter is like Laila.

This city stands at time’s creation.

This city will stand at time’s end.

Beirut, the heart of Lebanon.

Beirut, ornament of our world.

Beirut, exquisite as Paradise’s Garden.

– Faiz Ahmed Faiz (1911-1984)