That’s how it is - Like in old times, like in old times: If one opposed - Onto the lantern, onto the lantern, If someone stole - That means cell, that means cell, If one knew much - One was shot, one was shot! I thought at last I shall soon not see Enclosures, enclosures, - But I got into this dusty, turbulent town Without people, without people. Crowds of people scurring along, people unlike, Indifferent, blind, - I looked at the gloomy faces of passers-by - Neither natives nor foreigners. That’s how it is - Like in old times, like in old times: If one opposed - Onto the lantern, onto the lantern, If one stole - That means cell, that means cell, If one knew much - One was shot, one was shot! Why curse one’s bitter fate? Oviously in vain, obviously in vain, Why have I struggled for freedom so long? In the enclosures, in the enclosures? Crowds of people scurry along, people unlike, Indifferent, blind, - I looked at the gloomy faces of passers-by - Neither natives, nor foreigners.
© Elisabeth Jelinek. Translation, 2018