Song of Solomon 1

1. The Ultimate Song, by Shlomo:

2. [She] 2 Let him smother me with kisses from his mouth, 2 for your love is better than wine.

3. Your anointing oils have a wonderful fragrance; 3 your name is like anointing oil poured out. 3 This is why young women love you —

4. “Take me with you. We will run after you.” 4 The king has brought me into his rooms. 4 [Chorus] 4 We will be glad and rejoice for you. 4 We will praise your love more than wine. 4 How right it is for them to love you!

5. [She] 5 I am dark tan but beautiful, 5 you daughters of Yerushalayim, 5 like the tents of Kedar, 5 like the curtains of Shlomo.

6. Don’t stare at me because I’m dark; 6 it’s the sun that tanned me. 6 My mother’s sons were angry with me 6 and made me look after the vineyards. 6 But I haven’t cared for my own vineyard.

7. Tell me, my love, where you pasture your flock, 7 where you have them rest at noon; 7 for why should I veil myself [like a whore] 7 beside the flocks of your friends?

8. [Chorus] 8 If you do not know, 8 you most beautiful of women, 8 then follow the footprints of the flock 8 and let your kids graze by the shepherds’ tents.

9. [He] 9 My love, I compare you with my mare, 9 pulling one of Pharaoh’s chariots —

10. your cheeks are lovely with ornaments, 10 your neck with its strings of beads;

11. we will make you ornaments 11 of gold, studded with silver.

12. [She] 12 As the king reclines at table, 12 my nard gives forth its perfume:

13. to me the man I love is a sachet of myrrh 13 lodged between my breasts;

14. to me the man I love is a spray of henna flowers 14 in the vineyards of ‘Ein-Gedi.

15. [He] 15 Look at you, my love! How beautiful you are! 15 Your eyes are doves —

16. [She] 16 — Look at you! 16 So handsome, so pleasing, my darling! 16 Our bed is the greenery;

17. cedars are the beams of our houses, 17 cypresses the rafters.