Lavdi, Ushtari im [English translation]

Oh mother, where is my soilder?

That hugged me in that dawn.

His riffle touched my belly,

in my belly grew a fatherless (boy).

Where is he, oh mother, where?

I shall kiss his casket,

honor the bullet in his forehead,

sing our song.

Oh God, take me just once,

to touch his hand again.

Then return me to my fatherless (boy),

I’ll tell him of his fearless father.

Oh mother, how the boy resembles (his father),

and he does not see the (father’s) grave.

His blood became a flag,

because he will never forget Kosovo.

I curse myself for not going,

fight in war together with him.

He gave his soul and I did not see,

where is his grave, do you say?

Oh God, take me just once,

touch his hand once more.

Then return me to my fatherless (boy),

tell him of his fearless father.

• Artist:Adelina Ismaili