Your cedars are weeping again, O Lebanon,

with tears of blood and sweat,

your mountains are crying aloud, O Lebanon,

with voices of pain and despair.

Land of the Purple Empire,

once proud and mighty

you are again suffering the pain of war,

inflicted not only by strangers

but by some of your own children, as well…

How many wounds, how much bleeding

can you sustain princess of the East?

How much bending can you take

before you break?

Hold-on, daughter of the sun,

hold-on, nymph of the sea,

destruction and fire cannot end

your cycle of life.

Survive you will,

revival you shall see,

your wounds shall heal

your spirit shall be lifted

and the love of your children

– your true children –

will prove mightier than the sword!

For your cedars

are deeply rooted in your soul

and will hold it whole,

until the new dawn arrives.

Don’t despair, O Lebanon!

You will stand up again, proud

and stronger than ever before!

© George C. Chryssis