1. O Death, you have torn my chest
And broken my back with sorrow

2. You have cast me into the abyss
And mocked me, how mockingly!

3. So I remained, my heart writhing,
Dragging my wings in fright,

4. And you were cruel leaving me
To flounder in every hardship.

5. And you pained me about one I love,
To whom I confide my secrets,

6. And whom I count as my beautiful dawn
When the days darken around me.

7. I count him as my rose and my flute,
My wine cups and my wine,

8. I count him as my forest and my shrine,
My song and my dawn.

9. You have abandoned me of my pillar
And my counsel in every matter,

10. And destroyed a palace for me
With no other refuge, rending my veil.

11. So I lost a pure soul
Nobly overflowing with all good,

12. And lost a heart whose only care
Was to rise in my horizon like the full moon.

13. And I lost a hand that in life
Would ward every evil from me,

14. And lost a face that frowned
Only at my sorrow and misfortune.

15. And I lost a self that never deserted
Guarding my joys and tidings,

16. And I lost my pillar in life,
My banner and column of my palace.

17. O Death, you have torn my chest
And broken my back with sorrow.

18. O Death, what do you want of me
When you have torn my chest?

19. What do you wish, when you have
Blackened my thoughts with sorrows?

20. Leaving me in creation
To sigh alone with my burden,

21. And roam the desert of life
Crying "Where can I find my grave?"

22. What do you want of the tormented
In existence without any excuse?

23. What do you want of the wretched one
In his grievous and ruinous life?

24. If you seek me then bring the cup
I will drink it with patience,

25. Or if you watch for me then bring
The arrow - I will meet it with my neck.

26. Take me to you, for my life
Has evaporated in the air of worries,

27. And the branches of my days
Have dwindled without fruit or flower.

28. And the leaves of my dreams
Are scattered over the gravel of the road.

29. Take me to you, for I have thirsted
For your bitter and painful cup.

30. Take me, for I have come to hope
For your deathly pre-dawn.

31. Take me, for none is more miserable than he
Who lives a life like mine.

32. O Death, you have torn my chest
And broken my back with sorrow.

33. O Death, my heart lies ravaged
And desolate are the plains of my chest,

34. So I walk with downcast eyes
From the weight with which you have burdened my thoughts.

35. O Death, my soul is tired of life
So has not my time come?