Maniacs is one of Charbel Baini's books translated from Arabic into English with introduction by Dr. Mostapha Helwe

Soldier

 

When I was 14


-1-


Soldier...Yes, I am a soldier

Faith is from me

Staying awake on my border

On my grandfather's legacy

Staying awake... not sleepy

The Lebanese flag next to me.

-2-

The phrase "For the sake of the homeland"

Was planted on my border

It sprouted loyalty and faith

I gave the sustenance of eternity

And raised the name of Lebanon

In peace and in hardship

-3-

Soldier... We are all soldiers

In battle, we are lions

With blood, we redeem

The soil of our land

And we race the gunpowder

Loyalty is our support

-4-

Soldier... what more could I want

But loyalty to my land

I lived in its mountains

I will die for its sake

And I want nothing else

Like my grandfather

**