To the Workers of Baku

The wheel of fortune's turning in a new way nowadays:
The working men begin to think they're human nowadays.

They poke their noses everywhere and always nowadays.
What are we coming to when working men breathe freer nowadays?
They fight for rights and disobey the overseer nowadays!

The wheel of fortune's turning in a new way nowadays;
The working men begin to think they're human nowadays.

Now tell me, why do you demand respect, a simple worker?
Why raise your voice, and what can you expect, a simple worker?
All you should do is serve the rich, though they neglect a simple worker.
Well-paid or not, you must be gratefully subdued, you simple worker.

But the wheel of fortune's turning in a new way nowadays;
The working men begin to think they're human nowadays.

Don't plunge yourself into distress, take care, beware, rich man;
If any worker speaks the truth, don't give him ear, rich man!
Don't let the poor breathe freely - lon' you dare, rich man!
Don't yield, don't budge an inch, don't give in anywhere, rich man!

For the wheel of fortune's turning in a new way nowadays;
The working men begin to think they're human nowadays!

Don't pay attention, even though they may complain, the poor.
They've no expensive clothes nor homes - they've got no brain, the poor.
No property, no riches d they ever gain, the poor.
All they possess are ragged coats, shoes torn, clothes plain, the poor.

But the wheel of fortune's turning in a new way nowadays;
The working men begin to think they're human nowadays.

If you intend to be both free and merry in this world,
Just think about yourself, don't have a worry in this world.
If you would have no load of woe to carry in this world,
Forget that other people's lots are sorry in this world.

Yet the wheel of fortune's turning in a new way nowadays;
The working men begin to think they're human nowadays.

To think about the plight of your poor nation? By no means!
To sooth poor orphans and to stop their lamentation? By no means!
To help the poor, to give them consolation? By no means!

Yet the wheel of fortune's turning in a new way nowadays;
The working men begin to think they're human nowadays.

Translated by Dorian Rottenberg

POETRY:
Thanksgiving
Ploughman
Questions and Answers
The Odd Sneese