Erich Mühsam: The prisoner

The prisoner

I didn't learnt my life days long,
to submit to external constraint.
Now they imprisoned me,
Removed me from home, wife and work.
But if they would slew me:
To comply means to lie!

I shall? I must? – But I don’t want
to those lords' pleasure.
I don’t do what a reeve of drudgery tells.
Rebels know better obligation,
than to go along with the bay.
To comply means to lie!

The state, who took away my freedom
that follows me in the jail,
to betray me without any shame.
even in bonds,
I shall conform to the paragraphs stuff
To comply means to lie!

Put up the sinner against the wall!
Finally, that could be enough for you.
Coz' rather my hand will wither
before in slave’s lack of judgement
I should go along with the scourge.
To comply means to lie!

But if once the chain will break to pieces,
I will be free to breath the sun
to the fullest – tyranny!
Then I will shout to the public: Be free!
Unlearn it, to comply!
To comply means to lie!