Friends of mine, they are fine fellows,
Good men who keep their word and promise,
When they saw that I was jailed
Each strove to come there and replace me.

A true friend in this world is one
Who gives you love and will support you,
When he sees you locked in prison
He will share the heavy burden.

A friend is one I know on earth
Who when he sees that you're in trouble,
If he cannot save you from it,
He will drown, too, in the ocean.

Not like this are other fellows
Who your stewed prunes seize and gobble,
Turn, Nezim, now, look away
And do not long for their affection.

God in heaven, God of mercy!
Better there's no interjection,
Tribulation in this world will
Rob you of your peace and quiet.

Let me be as fate will have it,
I'll not groan in lamentation,
My one hope on earth is that I'll
Not on others be dependent.