Morituri te salutant [English translation]

The path is dust,

and gravel,

and packed dirt,

and the grey smears it

draws onto the hair,

and from the star trail

it's got a jewel

bound to a rock,

and the feathers of desire

from the wings of Pēgasī.

The path is a whip,

it's evil,

like a street lady.

It's got tags in the hands,

and a tin foil at the waist,

and from its eyes the lust is shinning,

when into the unknown it throws

two fragile branches

of the blood-red gladiī.

Sergeant, the sand is white

like the arms of Danielle,

wait a moment!

My eyes have seen

that ancient

moment of abandon.

Sergeant! They will salute

and we'll be initiated.

Morituri te salutant,

morituri te salutant.

Down the road

I went,

where on the ground whirls

and the sand swirls

the wing of dove,

and for me was the march played

by the sounds of the artillery,

which provide the comfort,

and raise the feathers

which eradicate.

The path is tar and dust,

and packed dirt.

A brass bee

from the Werwolf.

A rusty gun -

my chap,

and the hundred years old dirt

and the enormous

white clouds.

Sergeant,

the sand is white

like the arms of Danielle,

wait a moment!

My eyes have seen

that ancient

moment of abandon.

Sergeant! They will salute

and we'll be initiated.

Morituri te salutant,

morituri te salutant.

• Artist:Karel Kryl
• Album:Bratříčku, zavírej vrátka (1969)