Streets of Amman

Once upon a time

in the Middle East

We were walking along peacefully

The girl called to us and

said her name was Jordana.

Let me tell you a story

another one of the thousand

and one nights, we thought.

It was true

a car ran over

her father,

you knew him

that's why I'm telling you.

Walking along peacefully,

it was true, we knew him,

his name was Rafik,

and he was a kind

and benevolent person,

in Arabic, you mean Rafik.

How could I forget you

when you were little and

now you're grown, Jordana

if you are the daughter

of such a kind

and benevolent person, Abu Rafik.

At night

through the streets of Amman

the cars race by

and don't let us sleep

no one complains,

you have to hear them

to understand

نُحبّكِ دائمًا

يا جوردانا الصغيرة

نُقدّم لكِ ولوالدكِ أبو رفيق كل الاحترام والتقدير

Once upon a time

in the Middle East

we were walking peacefully,

and as we said goodbye

Jordana told us:

be careful,

the streets of Amman

are not kind

to pedestrians.