Qasim where are you?

- Fatema Ladak (2014)


OH MY YOUNG PRINCE OF KARBALA, QASIM WHERE ARE YOU, QASIM WHERE ARE YOU.

1. SHE ROAMS THE PLAINS OF KARBALA, LOOKING FOR HER SON IS POOR FARWAH.
    QASIM MY QASIM ANSWER ME SON,
    QASIM MY QASIM SHE SCREAMS AND RUNS.

 2. LOOK AT THIS BEAUTIFUL GOWN I HAVE SOWN, 
    BUT YOU’RE NOT HERE AND THAT IS WHY I MOURN.
    YOUR BRIDE AWAITS YOUR HUMBLE PRESENCE,
    WITHOUT YOU YOUR MOTHERS PAIN FRESHENS.

 3. THEN A BEAUTIFUL LIGHT FLOODED THE GROUND, 
    AND QASIMS VOICE WAS HEARD ALL AROUND. X2
    I’M HERE MOTHER, HERE AND HERE HE SAID,
    AND TO HIS PIECES HIS MOTHER WAS LED.

 4. OH MY GREAT ALLAH EXCEPT THIS SACRIFICE, 
     MY PRETTY FLOWER HAS NOW CLOSED HIS EYES. X2
     HIS PIECES HAVE TORN MY BROKEN HEART,
     AS HE MOVES FROM ME FAR APART.

 5. YOU HAD LEFT BEHIND YOUR WEDDING DRESS
     IN THE ARMOUR OF HASAN YOU'D DRESS
     LOOKING LIKE A MOON, YOU AREN'T WORTHLESS
     LEAVING YOU MOTHER IN HER DISTRESS

6. QASIM I LIT FOR YOU A CANDLE
    FROM ITS FLAME I SEE YOUR BLOOD TRICKLE
    AND I WATCH AS THIS FLAME WOULD DWINDLE
    AND MY EYES WATCH THIS CANDLE CRUMBLE

7. I ASK THE STARS OF MY DARKEST NIGHT
    AND THEY SAY YOUR SON HAS MET HIS PLIGHT
    I'M IMPRSONED BY A MOTHER'S FRIGHT
    WILL MY SON NO LONGER GRACE MY SIGHT?

8. I SEE THE SUN THAT WOULD LIGHT MY DAYS
    UPON THE GROUND MY BEAUTY HE LAYS
    THE SWORD OF YAZID UPON HIM PREYS
    WHAT A BEAUTIFUL FAREWELL HE SAYS