Once I lived on the lakes,
once I was beautiful,
when I was a swan.

Poor me, poor me!
Now black
and completely burnt!

The scoundrel turns and turns me again;
now the waiter serves me;
the fire burns me completely!

Poor me, poor me!
Now black
and completely burnt!

I would rather live in the water
always beneath the open sky,
than to be plunged in this pepper:

Poor me, poor me!
Now black
and completely burnt!

I was whiter than sno,
lovelier than any other bird,
but now I am blacker than a crow:

Poor me, poor me!
Now black
and completely burnt!

Now I lie on a platter,
and cannot fly,
I see teeth champing.

Poor me, poor me!
Now black
and completely burnt!