As soon as you have left
    Dushanbe and raise your eyes
You see the mighty range
    of Hissar athwart the skies.
You'll see the jagged ranges,
    chased silver, gleam and rise.
The racing mountain streams
    with their throaty cries will greet you
As they come tumbling down
    from the highest peaks to meet you.

A far-flung stately power
    of mountains rises there.
That caravan of motors
    friends guide with loving care.
It slowly moves ahead
    thro' the crystal mountain air.
We hear the tambourines
    and the rhythmic changs are sounding.
The mountain wind applauds
    as it set ravines resounding.

Each line in couplets fosters
    another, taking pride
In bonds that keep their union –
    as close are groom and bride.
Eternal mountains gaze
    on that couple side by side.
They seem recording lyrics
    in books of stone to capture
The joy of Man's free will,
    reaffirming young love's rapture.

Oh, see those girls in satin!
    It shimmers in the light.
How gracefully they're dancing –
    What joy! The heart's delight!
My darling there's good reason
    why we adore the sight
Of girls like swift gazelles
    as they weave a wedding ballet,
For see – with them there dances
    the whole green, fruitful valley.

A new, delightful custom
    arose in recent days,
As soon as they are married
    young people come to gaze
At lovely mountain vistas
    receding in the haze,
To feast their eyes on flowers
    and crystal waters pressing
To reach the verdant vale.
    there to give each pair its blessing.

We did not have a car
    on the day that we were wed,
When we two joined our lives,
    but we walked the road that led
To joys we shared in life
    and that path we'll always tread.
My darling, soon we'll see
    a caravan to carry
Our young son and his bride
    to the mountains when they marry.

1972