I was an Arab, 
I loved my horse; 
Swift as an arrow 
He swept the course. 

Sweet as a lamb 
He came to hand; 
He was the flower 
Of all the land. 

Through lonely nights 
I rode afar; 
God lit His lights-- 
Star upon star. 

God's in the desert; 
His breath the air: 
Beautiful desert, 
Boundless and bare! 

Free as the wild wind, 
Light as a foal; 
Ah, there is room there 
To stretch one's soul. 

Far reached my thought, 
Scant were my needs: 
A few bananas 
And lotus seeds. 

Sparkling as water 
Cool in the shade, 
Ibrahim's daughter, 
Beautiful maid. 

Out of thy Kulleh, 
Fairest and first, 
Give me to drink 
Quencher of thirst. 

I am athirst, girl; 
Parched with desire, 
Love in my bosom 
Burns as a fire. 

Green thy oasis, 
Waving with Palms; 
Oh, be no niggard, 
Maid, with thy alms. 

Kiss me with kisses, 
Buds of thy mouth, 
Sweeter than Cassia 
Fresh from the South. 

Bind me with tresses, 
Clasp with a curl; 
And in caresses 
Stifle me, girl. 

I was an Arab 
Ages ago! 
Hence this home-sickness 
And all my woe.