Care not for the fleeting world, things cannot stay as they are.
Weep blood; even weeping eyes cannot stay as they are.
The rose's time will elapse-flowers cannot stay as they are.
Souls that rejoice at all hours, cannot stay as they are.

O cup-bearer, bring me the cup, things cannot stay as they are.
In time, dust will cover us up, things cannot stay as they are.
Just as all other beauty, beauties must turn into dust.
Their waists, so slender and pretty, must turn into dust.

Their flowing locks, their ravishing bodies must turn into dust.
All that Nature creates is futile, must turn into dust.
O cup-bearer, bring me the cup, things cannot stay as they are.
In time, dust will cover us up, things cannot stay as they are.

Since the world's richest, too, must retire to eternal rest,
Believe not in earthly grandeur, 'tis mortal both east and west.
Even Suleiman's throne is shortlived, although thrice-blessed,
So if you are wise, do not trust fortune's turns and twists.

O cup-bearer, bring me the cup, things cannot stay as they are.
In time, dust will cover us up, thing's cannot stay as they are.
A hundred springs will come when tongues by wine are made loose,
A hundred fair tulips bloom when men drink the grapevine's juice.

All the world's gardens revive, the rose's bloom renews.
Yet my soul will rejoice no more, whatever knots are made loose.
O cup-bearer, bring me the cup, things cannot stay as they are.
In time, dust will cover us up, things cannot stay as they are.

I am tortured by pain and grief, parting burns me like fire.
I am drunk, I've drained the cup of sorrow, torment and desire.
It were well if she were near, the one that I most admire.
While there's a chance, hold on to love, till the last of hope expire.

O cup-bearer, bring me the cup, things cannot stay as
they are. In time, dust will cover us up, things cannot stay as they are.
O my sick Vidadi, this world is an empty shell,
Monotonous is this world as the groan of a bell.

For in this fickle world all is vanity, all is hell.
Life passes-so take your chance, seize it and hold it well.
O cup-bearer, bring me the cup, things cannot stay as they are.
In time, dust will cover us up, things cannot stay as they are.

Translated by Dorian Rottenberg