Blasphemy -

The mosques and churches float through our memories,

Prayers devoid of sense or taste echo from their walls.

Never has the heart of god yet been touched by them

But still beats on amidst the sounds of drums and bells.

Majestic mosques and churches throughout our wretched land,

Spires and minarets towering over lowly homes,

The voice of hodja and of priest in one degenerate chant,

Oh, ideal vision, a thousand years old!

Majestic mosques and churches throughout our wretched land

still beats on amidst the sounds of drums and bells.

On their ancient citadels perch the carrion crows

Oh, so many beauteous angels at the gates of hell!

The mosques and churches float through memories of the pious,

The sounds of the bell mingle with the muezzin’s call,

Sanctity shines from cowls and the beards of hodjas.

Oh, so many beauteous angels at the gates of hell!

On their ancient citadels perch the carrion crows

Their wings drooping dejectedly — the symbols of lost hopes,

They croak despairingly about an age gone by

When their ancient citadels once gleamed with hallowed joy.

Majestic mosques and churches throughout our wretched land

still beats on amidst the sounds of drums and bells.

On their ancient citadels perch the carrion crows

Oh, so many beauteous angels at the gates of hell!