Joseph Friedlander, comp. The Standard Book of Jewish Verse. 1917.
By Solomon Ibn Gabirol (Trans. Israel Abrahams)Water Song
T
And the Wine is done,
So my sad tears run
Like streams of water, streams of water.
But a full score more were Water’s knaves,
And silent are our watery graves.
For—whence tuneful note?
When the minstrel’s throat
Tastes naught but Water, Water, Water!
Untasted dishes rest in file,
How can I touch these dainties while
There stands my cup
To the brim filled up
With hated Water, Water, Water!
And Egypt’s dusky streams he dried,
Till Pharaoh’s fools for Water cried!
But Moses dear,
Why dost thou here
Turn all to Water, hated Water?
To the frog who damp in watery lair,
With dismal croakings fills the air.
So frog and I
Will sing or cry,
The song of Water, the dirge of Water.
For aught I care may turn Nazirite;
Total abstention shall be his plight!
And all his days
To his lips shall raise
Cups of Water, always Water!
And Wine there’s none;
So my sad tears run
Like streams of Water, streams of Water.