العيلة من جنب أبي مأكد إنه جدي وستي
The family from my father's side, I'm sure my grandfather and grandmother
كانوا من الشام.
were from Sham (Damascus/Levant).
أبي خلص علمه، كان حكيم،
My father finished his studies, he was a doctor,
ورا ما خلص علمه بلبنان، يهودي ما فيهن،
After he finished his studies in Lebanon, a Jew couldn't,
ما فيه يلاقي ولا شغلة بولا مستشفى ولا بعيادة
He couldn't find any work in a hospital or clinic
ولا بمطرح، مجبور مثل ما بيقولوا يكب حاله
or anywhere, forced as they say to throw himself
ع الطريق ولازم يدبر حاله.
on the road and had to make his own way.