火柴天堂 [Huǒ chái tiān táng] [English translation]

Walking in the bitterly cold, snowing night

Selling matches to sustain my dreams

Step after freezing step

Step after lonely step

The chill of humanity freezes my hands

A bag of matches kindles my heart

The frigid night cannot hinder my going on

The wind pierces my face

The snow cuts at my mouth

Dragging my feet; how much longer can I walk?

Who will come buy my matches?

Who will set these stick after sticks of hope all ablaze?

Who will come buy my loneliness?

Who will realise* my homesick cry?

Every time I light up a match, in that tiny glimmer of light

I see my hopes, I see my dreams

I see, up in the sky, my mother speaking -

She says, you must be brave you must be strong

Do not be afraid, do not panic

Let you from now on no longer have to wander

Mother takes your hand back home

To sleep in warm, flower-filled Heaven