This is a crying shame
Er-niu.
You are fully armed and walking straight ahead,
Even if you run into your Dad you won't turn back.
Into the thick of life, Er-niu,
To be a gang-boss for roadside chickens.

This is a crying shame
Er-niu, to see you
In this trade that needs no start-up capital
Hawking your stuff along dark streets
Swaying your hips before eyes that glow green.
Trusting your luck.
You imagine your customer will be kind
Or maybe nasty enough to spend money like dirt.

This is a crying shame, Er-niu
You grab my arm as I go by.
I pull off my hat: don't you know me
Your little boy Cousin of five years ago?
If I grab you by the neck will you listen to me?
I'll buy meat-ration coupons for every part of you
If only you will never sell them again.