Classic Poem

Listen to my words, O Moslems!
All the world's pride returns to dust.
So take with you to your graves a few truths,
That in the hereafter you may have no regrets.

For where is Abraham, the friend of God?
And Ismail, His sacrifice!
Where is the Prophet Mohammed who wore the halo of the Blest,
Though he never climbed the peak of Mount Sinai?
And Jesus, the sweet Saint? Where is he?
Hai! Hai!
The wind has blown their dust away!

Where is the emperor Akbar? And where went Mohammed Shah?
Tell me: where is Aurangzeb, the mighty Mogul?
And where all the strong men of the Fatimide dynasty?
Hai! Hai!
Sighing they went to their graves!

Where is Gengiz Khan, the conqueror of black China?
And Kublai Khan, the thunderer?
Where is Nadir Shah, the Turkoman?
Where is Uzbek Khan of the Golden Horde who enslaved the Russians?
Hai! Hai!
Today their riches are but brittle vanity.
For the end is the end. The end is nothing.

You have forgotten the Lord God, O Moslems!
But the tomb will be your fatherland. All earthly pomp matters not.
So turn your thoughts to Allah and curse Satan the Stoned!
The end is the end. The end is nothing.
For where is Ghirei, the Khan of the Crimea?
Hai! Hai!
The wind has dried up his blood!

Death will come, riding his black camel.
On that day none will help you except the Lord God.
The end is the end. The end is nothing.
Hai! Hai!
The wind will blow your pride away!

Tell me: Where are Sultans and Khans and Amirs?
Where went Alexander of Macedon?
Osman of Samarkand—where went he?
And Wang Khan, the ape-faced Manchu?
Hai! Hai!
The wind has blown their swords away!
Tomorrow, your foreheads black with sin, you will go to the grave.
Tomorrow the end will be the end. The end is nothing.
Today is the hour of religion, O Moslems.
Do good deeds! Pray! Oppress not the orphans!
Tomorrow—hai! hai!—the wind will blow your bones away!
So bow before the Lord God, King of the Day of Judgment!
His glory shines across the seven worlds!
Only by His grace splendor is in Islam!