Moritat [English translation]

Come, see, and be amazed!

Here you will be made known with clarity to the vague notions, the fairy tales, and the bitter grief and misery of man at play.

It laughs and jeers at you, and the meaning of life simply wipes you out.

Hearken to the somber truth of emotion, thoughts, and speech.1

Over the cause, the effect, and the simple demonstrations of man's grand delusion in all its glory.

Excrement, phlegm, and streaks of blood no longer aroused by the wind, for the scent thereof2is still pleasant in the heart3of its breath.

Behold! The festered streets of the world4which has not lost sight towards its end among the chaos.

And at the conclusion of this play5 lie my charred remains which someone will contemplate upon one day. So please, oh please, come right in!6

1. lit. the word2. literally, the source refers only to the excrement (of man)3. lit. soul4. lit. of life5. lit. theater6. lit. to always walk in