I write in hopes that by the time you get this letter 我写在希望的时候，你得到这个信

We may live to see a change for the better 我们可能活不到好转的变化

Or are we so devoted to these wretched selfish motives 还是我们致力于让这些可怜的私心

When the cold facts and figures all add up 当寒冷的事实和数字全部加起来

They cannot contradict this sad burlesque 他们不能违背这个伤心的艳舞

This sad burlesque 这滑稽的悲哀

With miserable failures making entertainment of our fate 随着凄惨的失败使我们的缘分娱乐

Laughter cannot dignify of elevate 笑不能庄严迅速提升的

This sad burlesque 这滑稽的悲哀

   

Now can they recall being young and idealistic 现在，他们能记得如此年轻而理想化

Before wading knee-deep in hogwash and arithmetic 在涉水膝深的泔水和算术

The pitying smirk 该怜悯傻笑

The argument runs like clockwork 这种观点还像钟表

Will run down eventually and splutter to a stop 会跑下来，并最终坐卧不宁停了下来

   

P.S. Well by now you know the worst of it 附注：好了，现在你知道最糟糕的

And we've heard all the alibis that they've rehearsed 我们听说过的所有，他们已经排练了托辞

The smug predictions 踌躇满志的预测

If it's not a contradiction 如果它不是一个矛盾

Keep faith in human nature 请相信人的本性

And have mercy on the creatures in this sad burlesque 而可怜的动物在这个悲伤的滑稽戏