KOCO RACIN - DAYS

Like necklaces around the throat
strings of cold stones
so have the days lain down
on our shoulders and weight heavy

Days are they - days
the hardships of hired labourers!

Rise in the morning early
return in the evening late,
in the morning take with you joy
in the evening bring back grief -

a plague on it, may it be
damned, this life of a dog!

Be born a man - become a bondsman
be born a men - and die a beast,
beast like, toil your whole life long
for others, on others' holdings

For the white palaces of others
dig your own black graves!

For yourselves nought but hard labour
for yourselves nought but trouble -
string a necklace of days
string forged iron rings,

string the chain of iron
bound around your throat!