I think that anybody who puts it in a "worst songs ever" collection has obviously been tainted by that dreadful version by Terry Jacks who changed the whole meaning.

No problem accepting the controversy over the Rod McKuen translation.   

I've seen other English translations and they are different.

But I do think that the McKuen translation has a delightful "edge" to it.   (unlike the Terry Jacks abomination).

And the Tom Rapp verse----I think it's great!   Don't know where he got it from.