Howdy hey! My truth is top:
I dare not speak if he says "stop!"

Children: know you can't allow
For fighting demons in a row.
I lost against one, so that now
I dare not speak if he says "stop!"

The dangers I did not then see,
And so he made a slave of me.
I dare not ask he let me free -
I dare not speak if he says "stop!"

The instances are worst of all
When he should my misdeeds recall.
I take off running down the hall -
I dare not speak if he says "stop!"

My questions only add more fuel.
He says, if I should ask for gruel:
"You are but a worthless mule."
I dare not speak if he says "stop!"

I dare not even ask for water.
That is begging for a slaughter.
He tells me "You're no more than fodder."
I dare not speak if he says "stop!"

Translator's note: Presumably Aku is the demon being spoken of in this poem, which was written by a very rich and successful comrade of his who was, as far as it is known, one of the only people to have ever gotten along well with the Shogun of Sorrow. It is likely just a propaganda piece.