I’ve been deafened by applause,
And blinded by the smiles of prima donnas, -
Year after year I suffer through symphonies,
Indulging those who imitate birdsong.

Through me, filtered time and again,
Pure sound soars directly into your hearts.
Stop! This is on whom I rely,
It is for you that I have endured these torments.

I have heard whispers about the moon,
Someone shouting gaily about peace,
The sound of a violin - the bow sawing the strings -
And each time I amplified it, I amplified, I amplified...

On "low notes" his voice is deep and gruff,
And on "high notes" it cuts through the air like a knife -
He will demonstrate what he is capable of, -
And I will demonstrate something too!

As he sings, he strains and gasps for air -
He is exhausted, like a soldier on a field, -
And I stretch my firm neck
To his face, shining with sweat.

I have heard whispers about the moon,
Someone shouting gaily about peace,
The sound of a violin - the bow sawing the strings -
And each time I amplified it, I amplified, I amplified...

But suddenly! "Lad, come to your senses, -
What are you singing?! Rest - you’re exhausted.
These - are all untruths, lies sweet as syrup!
Audience, tell him to stop!..."

It’s all in vain - miracles don’t happen, -
I sway, barely standing, -
While he pours his bitterness, as it were balsam
Into my microphone’s throat.

I have heard whispers about the moon,
Someone shouting gaily about peace,
The sound of a violin - the bow sawing the strings -
And each time I amplified it, I amplified, I amplified...

You can blame me all you like -
But to go against one’s nature is impossible:
My profession is that of an amplifier -
I suffered - but amplified falsehood.

I wailed and screeched, -
But he crushed my throat with his hand...
They turned me away, murdered me -
And exchanged me for another.

I have heard whispers about the moon,
Someone shouting gaily about peace,
The sound of a violin - the bow sawing the strings -
And each time I amplified it, I amplified, I amplified...

This other one - he will accept everything you say, -
Is now screwed onto my neck.
We are always replaced by others,
So that we don’t hinder falsehood.

...In our case we lay close together -
A tripod, another microphone, and I -
And they, with a laugh, told me,
How happy he was, that I had been replaced.