This is an ancient song in the Aztec language Nahuatl. The translator had this to say about this song, "The ordinary sad burden of the Nahuatl poets is repeated with emphasis in this plaint. It is a variation of the Epicurean advice, 'Eat, drink, and be merry, for to-morrow we die...'"

Notes

*Song Note by the translator: "...Both the sentiment and the reference to Mictlan in verse 7, point it out as a production uninfluenced by Christian teaching." Mictlan was part of the Aztec underworld where people went after death.

Thanks and Acknowledgements

This song comes from Ancient Nahuatl Poetry by Daniel G. Brinton (copyright 1890).

Tlazohcamati!