Translation of the song lyrics I drah zua - Wolfgang Ambros

I drah zua (original)

Immer muaß i mit euch Karten spün
A wanns mi gar net gfreut
Nur wegen euch andern muaß i mitspün
A wann mi alles anfäult
A Regel habts fürs ganze Lebn
Geben — ausspün und stechn
Oder schen brav zuagebn
I drah zua, weil i bald gnua hab
Die Atout in meiner Hand san zwar zwenig
Aber zum Spün ghört eben Glück
Net nur Verstand
Habts a Gabl, dann habts es gwunnen
Habts es net, is guat für mi —
Außerdem könnts euch verschmeißen
Aber Farb muaßts draufgebn
Und spün tua i
Aber ab heut könnts mi vergessen
I spü des, was mi grad gfreut:
Domino oder Pfitschigoggerln ganz alla
Weil ab heute hab i Zeit
A Regel habts fürs ganze Leben
Geben — ausspün — stechen
Oder schenk brav zuagebn
I drah zua, weil i bald gnua hab
Schmierts euch euer Spü in de Haar
Es werd’s an andern, an andern Trottel finden
Der mit euch spüt, des is ma klar
Vur mein allerletztn Gangl
Wer i euch no a Runde zahln
I geb zua i hab oft gschummelt
Aber des is euch nie aufgfallen
I drah zua, weil i bald gnua hab
I drah zua, weil i hab gnua

I drah zua (translation)

Ever compelled, I must sit at cards with you,
Though not a flicker of joy stirs in my breast,
Only your presence drags me to the table anew,
Even as all delight within me lies at rest.
One tenet you keep, for all of this brief lore:
Deal—unfurl your hand, then strike like a blade,
Or else with quiet grace, surrender, nothing more,
I close my fist, the hour nears, my patience frayed.
The precious trumps I shelter, scant as bitter rain,
Yet fortune in this gamble claims its portion, too.
Not only cunning mind, but luck must have domain.
If you hold the forked branch, then victory crowns you;
If not, the windfall gently tips the scales to me—
Besides, you can pitch your fate across the room,
But color must be painted on, the suit must be true.
And so I play, though heart is dust and gloom.
But from today, let memory of me dissolve,
I play only what now gives my spirit ease—
Domino, or Pfitschigoggerln, just myself involved,
For from this day, I dwell in idle peace.
One maxim you hold, for the span of your days:
Deal—unfurl—strike, the circle repeats,
Or yield with politeness, in mannered displays,
I close my fist, for soon my forbearance depletes.
Smear your game like pomade through your hair,
Another simpleton will stumble on your track,
Someone else will play, of that I am aware.
Before my last slow passage, my last act,
Who will buy you another round, a final toll?
I confess—I have cheated, time and time again,
But you, oblivious, never glimpsed my role.
I close my fist, for soon my patience must end,
I close my hand, for I have had my fill.