I was born in rainy autumn
In the dirty gutter
Half-alive…
No parents, no brothers
No one only slaughter
Helped me to
Survive in this life

I went to the sea
In a slave-boat steamer
And my knife
Was my best mate
In all my brawls
He helped me to
Survive in this life

With shackles - I weathered
While south yellow fever
Was my wife
No honor, no goodness,
No virtue, no beaver
I had to survive in this life