I

To the cities I came in a time of disorder 
That was ruled by hunger. 
I sheltered with the people in a time of uproar 
And then I joined in their rebellion. 
That's how I passed my time that was given to me on this Earth. 

I ate my dinners between the battles, 
I lay down to sleep among the murderers, 
I didn't care for much for love 
And for nature's beauties I had little patience. 
That's how I passed my time that was given to me on this Earth. 

The city streets all led to foul swamps in my time, 
My speech betrayed me to the butchers. 
I could do only little 
But without me those that ruled could not sleep so easily:
That's what I hoped. 
That's how I passed my time that was given to me on this Earth. 

Our forces were slight and small, 
Our goal lay in the far distance 
Clearly in our sights, 
If for me myself beyond my reaching. 
That's how I passed my time that was given to me on this Earth. 

II

You who will come to the surface 
From the flood that's overwhelmed us and drowned us all 
Must think, when you speak of our weakness in times of darkness 
That you've not had to face:

Days when we were used to changing countries 
More often than shoes, 
Through the war of the classes despairing 
That there was only injustice and no outrage.

Even so we realised 
Hatred of oppression still distorts the features, 
Anger at injustice still makes voices raised and ugly. 
Oh we, who wished to lay for the foundations for peace and friendliness, 
Could never be friendly ourselves.

And in the future when no longer 
Do human beings still treat themselves as animals, 
Look back on us with indulgence.