昔我往矣，日月方除。
曷云其还，岁聿云莫。
念我独兮，我事孔庶。
心之忧矣，惮我不暇。
念彼共人，睠睠怀顾。
岂不怀归，畏此谴怒。
When I left home for here / Sun and moon ushered in new year. Now when may I go home? / Another year will come. I sigh for I am lonely. / Why am I busy only? O how can I feel pleasure? / I toil without leisure. Thinking of those in power, / Can I have happy hour?' Don't I long for parental roof? / I'm afraid of reproof.
昔我往矣，日月方奥。
曷云其还，政事愈蹙。
岁聿云莫，采萧获菽。
心之忧矣，自诒伊戚。
念彼共人，兴言出宿。
岂不怀归，畏此反复。
When I left for the west, With warmth the sun and moon were blest. / When can I go home without cares, Busy on state affairs? / It is late in the year; They reap beans there and here. / I feel sad and cast down; I eat the fruit I've sown. / Thinking of those in power, I rise at early hour. / Will I not homeward go?
嗟尔君子，无恒安处。
靖共尔位，正直是与。
神之听之，式谷以女。
嗟尔君子，无恒安息。
靖共尔位，好是正直。
神之听之，介尔景福。
I fear returning blow. / Ah! officials in power, There's no e'er-blooming flower. / When you're on duty long, You should know right from wrong. / If Heaven should have ear, Justice would then appear. / Ah! officials in power, There's no e'er-resting hour. / Should you do duty well, You'd know heaven from hell. / Blessings would come to view.