Hadaba Deeqay dagaalkanu muxuu ahaa? Degelba degelkuu ku xigay daabcad kula kacyey, Shisheeye haduu is dilo waaba kala durkaa, Marada labadeeda dacal buu dab ii qabsaday. Hadaba Deeqay, dagaalkanu muxuu ahaa? muxuu daankaani daankaa ku diidanyahay? Intaan dacar leefay waabay durduurtayey, Dabaasha anoon aqoon daad I qaadayey, Agoonkii daalanaa dib uga caymadyey,
Hooyadii weerku daashaday diboydayey,
Dadkii iyo Hargeisaba is diidnayey,
Berberadaan soo day idhi dib uga roorayey, Hadabaa Deeqay, dagaalkanu muxuu ahaa? Maxaa daankani daankaa ku didanyahay?
O, Deeqa, I am truly at a loss As to the real intentions of this war.
Unlike unrelated people who can drift apart.
My own people are fighting one another, Neighbours are fiercely at each other’s throat, My plight has no match.
My clothes have caught fire at both ends,1 Knowing nothing of swimming,
Was I taken away by a current.
From the bitter da’ar tree [aloe],
And fatal poison had I my fill.
Why do people from this bank,
Despise people on the other?2 Why must weary orphans flee again?
Must grieving mothers suffer afresh?
Deeqa, I am truly at a loss.