first thing to do

our duty is to rectify the names

and ranks of those who serve and guide the state

take out the waste and cast in in the flames

 

the one who praises is the one who blames

so both should suffer an immediate fate

our duty is to rectify the names

 

remove the wrong assess all proper claims

while honouring those who patiently wait

take out the waste and cast it in the flames

 

not for us gaudy masks of knights and dames

we learnt our service how to clean each plate

our duty is to rectify the names

 

to take account of glories and of shames

of who was early and who coming late

take out the waste and cast it in the flames

 

we have no time for silly childish games

nor patience for discussion and debate

our duty is to rectify the names

take out the waste and cast it in the flames