To the Tyrants of the World

The inspiring movement of the Arab people continues to gain strength. Today the Egyptian people have joined their Tunisian sisters and brothers in marching against the tyrants who have oppressed them. One of the features of this mass movement is that the protesters have been chanting the poem Ela Toghat Al Alaam ("To the Tyrants of the World") written by the famous Tunisian poet Abul Qassim Al Shabbi.

To the Tyrants of the World
by Abul Qassim Al Shabbi

Here is a version sung by Arabic songstress Latifa



Oppressive tyrant...
Lover of darkness...
Enemy of life...
You have ridiculed innocent people's wounds
Your palm is soaked with their blood
You deformed the magic of existence
And planted the seeds of sorrow in the fields
Wait, don’t be fooled by the spring, the clearness of the sky or the light of dawn
For on the horizon looms the forboding darkness, the rumbling thunder and the blowing winds
Beware for below the ash there is fire and he who grows thorns will reap wounds
You have harvested the heads of mankind and the flowers of hope
You have watered the heart of the Earth with blood
And it has been soaked with tears until drunk
The river of blood will sweep you away and the fiery storm will devour you