STRANGE AFFAIR Poem by Si Fudul al-Hawari, translation and music by Richard Thompson
This is a strange affair, The time has come to travel but the road is filled with fear. This is a strange affair, My youth has all been wasted and I'm bent and gray with years.
Where are my companions? Taken away. And who will provide for me against my dying day? I took my own provision but they fooled me and wasted away. This is a strange affair.
Where are my companions? My Mother, Father, lover, friend and enemy? Where are my companions? They're prisoners of death now and taken far from me.
And where are the dreams I dreamed in the days of my youth? They led me to illusion when they promised me the truth. And what do sleepers need to make them listen? Why do they need more proof? This is a strange affair.
Won't you give me an answer? Why is your heart so hard towards the one who loves you best? When the one with the answer, Has wakened you and warmed you and called you to the test.
Wake up from the sleep that lies like clouds on your eyes, Win back the life you had that's now a dream of lies, Turn back on yourself and if you follow you win the lover's prize, This is a strange affair.