I abandoned a deal, such an excellent deal and I blew it;
I took nothing away and left naked as when I was born.
I had no sudden urge, it was simply the right time to do it,
From behind the blue hills other deals were beginning to form.

From books there’s much to learn and understand
But still the truth’s passed on in conversation;
There are no prophets in their native land,
But there are not a lot in other nations.

I’ve not sold out my friends, without me some have done even better;
Only one was let down, but I’ll make it all right before long.
I pulled out of the deal and left none of my blood or my sweat there,
And without me on board still the deal rolled along, going strong.

We all can be replaced, however grand;
Let’s sing for dead men’s souls, the devil take them:
"There are no prophets in their native land,
But there are not a lot in other nations."

They took pieces of me, but I’m glad that the ones who were getting
The best shares were the ones I’d give plenty to in any case.
Now I go across slippery floors, shoes all covered in resin,
Up the ladder I climb, then I walk through the high attic space.

Search as you might, no prophets come to hand;
Mohammed’s left and Zarathustra’s way gone.
There are no prophets in their native land,
But there are not a lot in other nations.

And below people say, out of spite or perhaps to enlighten:
"It’s a good job he’s gone, without him things are surer for us."
In the corner I scrape with my nails spiders’ webs from the icons
But the horses await saddled up in the yard, so I rush.

A saint appeared, I turned to face him and
He sadly said, bathed in illumination:
"There are no prophets in their native land,
But there are not a lot in other nations."

I jump on to my horse and we merge into one - such a true fit;
I too chomp on the bit when I feel my steed stumble, unsure.
I abandoned a deal, such an excellent deal and I blew it,
From behind the blue hills other deals were beginning to form.

Trampled by hooves wheat crackles, still I can
Hear while I ride this clear reverberation:
"There are no prophets in their native land
But there are not a lot in other nations."