Big Whell
Where did I come from and why
I cannot tell, can you?
Nor is it important at all
I came, they made room, I sat down
Others where coming and going
In any case, when I came in.
Other things happening, bread and water
Laughter and kisses, you know, the lot
A wedding, a reception, truly I could not tell
Then some appeared pensive, perplexed
And why were some leaving, truly, I could not tell
In any case, when I came in.
A luna-park, a concert, an exhibition
I could not tell, there was a crowd in front
Time went fast where I sat tightly squeezed
Look, they said, I looked but saw not much
And all the seats were in the dark
In any case, when I came in.
My only thought in the corner where I cringed
Was how would I leave if they suddenly said, get out
To leave a crowded row of seats is a job
People will stand, follow me with their eyes
Were there not mutterings as I grabbed my seat
In any case, when I came in.
Translated by Nermin Menemencioglu
I cannot tell, can you?
Nor is it important at all
I came, they made room, I sat down
Others where coming and going
In any case, when I came in.
Other things happening, bread and water
Laughter and kisses, you know, the lot
A wedding, a reception, truly I could not tell
Then some appeared pensive, perplexed
And why were some leaving, truly, I could not tell
In any case, when I came in.
A luna-park, a concert, an exhibition
I could not tell, there was a crowd in front
Time went fast where I sat tightly squeezed
Look, they said, I looked but saw not much
And all the seats were in the dark
In any case, when I came in.
My only thought in the corner where I cringed
Was how would I leave if they suddenly said, get out
To leave a crowded row of seats is a job
People will stand, follow me with their eyes
Were there not mutterings as I grabbed my seat
In any case, when I came in.
Translated by Nermin Menemencioglu