Eric Clapton on Layla

So many years after I discovered sufi, mystic, and other poetry, and heard and studied the story of Layla & Majnun, I found that Eric Clapton (who wrote my namesake song, per dad, p.s. my brother's name is Erik) used Nizamai's poetry from Layla & Majnun word for word on his Layla album...

Layla

by Eric Clapton and Jim Gordon
Based on Nizami's 12th century epic poem, "Layla and Majnun"

What'll you do when you get lonely
And no one's waiting by your side?
You've been running and hiding much too long.
You know it's just your foolish pride.

Chorus:
Layla, got me on my knees,
Layla, Begging, darling please, Layla,
Darling, won't you ease my worried mind?

I tried to give you consolation
When your old man had let you down.
Like a fool, I fell in love with you,
Turned my whole world upside down.
Let's make the best of the situation
Before I finally go insane.
Please don't say we'll never find a way
And tell me all my love's in vain

I Am Yours

by Eric Clapton
Based on Nizami's 12th century epic poem, "Layla and Majnun"

I am yours.
However distant you may be,
There blows no wind but wafts your scent to me,
There sings no bird but calls your name to me.
Each memory that has left its trace with me
Lingers forever as a part of me.
I am yours.

On Layla e Majnun - Nezami

These two friends are one, eternal companions.
He is Majnun, the king of the world in right action.
And she is Layla, the moon among idols in compassion.
In the world, like unpierced rubies they treasured their fidelity affectionately, but found no rest and could not attain their heart's desire.
Here they suffer grief no more.
So it will be until eternity.
Whoever endures suffering and forebears in that world will be joyous and exalted in this world.

Break Your Cage - Majnun/Nezami

For how long then do you want to deceive yourself?
For how long will you refuse to see yourself as you are and as you will be?
Each grain of sand takes its own length and breadth as the measure of the world; yet, beside a mountain range it is as nothing.
You yourself are the grain of sand;
you are your own prisoner.

Break your cage, break free from yourself, free from humanity;
learn that what you thought was real is not so in reality.
Follow Nizami: burn but your own treasure, like a candle -- then the world, your sovereign, will become your slave.

- Majnun for Layla, many years later

I Pass By These Walls -- Majnun

I pass by these walls, the walls of Layla
And I kiss this wall and that wall
It’s not Love of the houses that has taken my heart
But of the One who dwells in those houses
- Majnun (for Layla)

Khusrau - The creaking of the chain of majnun is

Naala-e zanjeer-e Majnun arghanoon-e aashiqanast
Zauq-e aan andaza-e gosh-e ulul-albaab neest

The creaking of the chain of Majnun is the orchestra of the lovers,
To appreciate its music is quite beyond the ears of the wise.

Majnun - You should see my Laila with my eyes.

In all the versions of the story, Layla is said to be dark & ugly, and not wanted by men. There was once Majnun, the great lover of Persia was asked, 'Oh, Majnun,' they said, 'your girl is not as beautiful as you think. You are sacrificing your life. You grieve for ages and ages for that girl. But she is not so beautiful.' Majnun answered, 'You should see my Laila with my eyes. It is the eyes of my heart you need. My heart has made my Laila.' That is called an ideal. And the ideal of perfection makes it beauty.