Remember, O God, what has alas befallen us,
look and see our disgrace.
Alas, what has befallen us.
Our birthright was alas usurped by strangers,
our homes by foreigners.
Alas, what has befallen us.
We were orphaned, alas with no father present,
our mothers in the month of Av lament.
Alas, what has befallen us.
We are forced alas to pay for vital water,
for we debased the holy water.
Alas, what has befallen us.
Our pursuers were alas ever in striking distance,
for we pursued hatred devoid of any sense.
Alas, what has befallen us.
We reached out alas for aid from Egypt,
yet by Assyria we were hunted and trapped.
Alas, what has befallen us.
Our ancestors sinned, and alas they are gone,
but for their sins we suffer on.
Alas, what has befallen us.
We were alas by slaves dominated,
for our own slaves were unemancipated.
From the Kinos of Tisha b’Av night.
Alas, what has befallen us.
At great risk, we alas bring bread to our door,
for we refused to give alms to the poor.
Alas, what has befallen us.
Our skin is alas shriveled as if by a furnace,
for they exchanged honor for disgrace.
Alas, what has befallen us.
The women of Zion were alas excruciated,
for men with each other’s wives copulated.
Alas, what has befallen us.
Lords by their hands were alas left hanging,
for they robbed the poor of their belongings.
Alas, what has befallen us.
Young men were alas with millstones encumbered,
because of the brothels where they were discovered.
Alas, what has befallen us.
Elders were from the courthouses alas expelled,
for justice for orphans and widows they withheld.
Alas, what has befallen us.
The joy in our hearts has alas been eradicated,
for our pilgrimages have been terminated.
Alas, what has befallen us.
The crown of our heads has alas fallen down,
for our holy Temple was burned to the ground.
Alas, what has befallen us.
For this our hearts are alas ever sore,
our cherished House’s honor is no more.
Alas, what has befallen us.
For Mount Zion that alas lies desolate,
for the ghastly abomination placed upon it.
Alas, what has befallen us.
You, O God, are enthroned forever,
Your throne endures for all generations.
why do You forget us eternally?
why abandon us until the end of time?
bring us back to You, O God,
and we will return,
renew our days as of old.
for even if You have so rejected us,
you have been much too angry with us.
bring us back to You, O God,
and we will return,
renew our days as of old.