How oppressed was your household… in Samarra what happened?
You led us for just six years… your son left for a thousand
* * *
There is a tale hidden in Samarra
It speaks of your oppression and your torture
It speaks of he who lived his life a prisoner
It speaks of an Imam led to his murder
Not just brought to Samarra… to your death you were summoned
You led us for just six years… your son left for a thousand
* * *
The son of orphans murdered as an orphan
Chosen by God yet to Samarra taken
What kind of age and what kind of oppression
When a divine king, a tyrant, would summon
Born in the darkest of times… a spark of light you glistened
You led us for just six years… your son left for a thousand
* * *
The caliph called you to show you his powers
By you paraded Samarra’s best fighters
You asked him to look between your two fingers
Where he saw your hidden army of soldiers
By showing this miracle… he felt his power threatened
You led us for just six years… your son left for a thousand
* * *
It’s not enough to prisons you were taken
They came to you and made your house a prison
Killing you easy, they wanted you broken
And ensured the sun of their time was hidden
They knew your words light up hearts… and made sure that few listened
You led us for just six years… your son left for a thousand
* * *
Even though away from the world you were torn
From the confines of your house scholars were born
By two things we’ve survived and this pride we’ve worn
By these scholars and by the Hussain we’d mourn
You set foundations for us… and the Shia you strengthened
You led us for just six years… your son left for a thousand
* * *
Indeed for your son, Mehdi, they’d been waiting
Just as his reappearance we’re awaiting
They knew the twelfth prince, and knew his uprising
And wanted to kill him at his beginning
Yet they could not challenge God… nor challenge what was destined
You led us for just six years… your son left for a thousand
* * *
Fearing your knowledge, poisoned you Mu’tamid
Amongst fruits given to you poison he hid
Thirsty for blood of the sons of Mohammed
Jealous of the swords that tasted blood they’ve bled
Compared to the life you’d lived… your death for you was sweetened
You led us for just six years… your son left for a thousand
* * *
After you your son left for a thousand years
And in that time we can fill seas with our tears
O’ Hassan we’re killed and behind clouds he peers
We plead you by your name that he reappears
O’ Hassan it’s been slaughter… since the day you were poisoned
You led us for just six years… your son left for a thousand
* * *
(London – 26/02/14)