I remember my majestic country of yesteryear
When the deft songs of the cicadas ruled the night
I may be hard of hearing now
But I still cling onto a dream that you, my child
When all is gone, robbed and plundered
Will hold onto that shred of your dignity.

My child, I have in my feeble hand only that
Which cannot measure up to a slaving man’s keep!
I dreamt dreams of a majestic country for my beloved children.
Oh, what macabre thief!
Has plundered my landlocked country
Of its youthfulness
Time is a great leveller, is it not?