Besten II [English translation]

Here a little ship heads along

drifting along aimlessly

Baptized in lye and acid

Making out the course, as good as he remembers

The sails whip around like rags

In sulfur stench and wind

The beast's ship was beautiful

But the helmsman, he is blind

This is no time to rest

This is no time to sit still

No, but all must give in

And row the beast wherever it wants to go

The hull is a leaking barrel

See, water is leaking in

Rust on pump and bailer (1)

The beast has nursed its ship

Its slaves are toiling at the oars

Under the whip there is no mercy

And above it all

You hear the beast strike with its wings

This is no time to rest

This is no time to sit still

No, but all must give in

And row the beast wherever it wants to go

The beast (offers) a beautiful view

And entices us with gold

But the green vegetation of the forest

Dies for our sake

No refuge is in sight

No lighthouse to light the way

Only open seas and darkness

And the schemes and wit of the beast

Wherever this road will take us

The beast only knows

And don't you dare to ask

The beast about its secret

This is no time to rest

This is no time to sit still

No, but all must give in

And row the beast wherever it wants to go