A Great Man [German translation]

There once was a great man

He carried no sword

Fought no victorious battles

Wrote no known books

He was not a doctor

He was not a lawyer

He was a simple man

He was a great mean...

He was a humble man

He slighted no one

He laboured day after day

Reaping a fine harvest,

To those who knew him

He was a great man...

Inquiring of your health

Interested in the person

He had no enemies

His friends are countless

Each now bowing in respect

For he was a great man...

He had no children

Yet he had many

He had a good wife

She, equally as great

A smile for the day

A kind word to say

Always from this man

When the earth is turned

The stone in its place

The name enscribed

He will still be

He was a great man...

He will shine on

Kind words speak of him

For kindness begets kindness

Goodness begets goodness

Life begets life

Mourn only his mortal loss

The spirit yet remains

In the hearts of the living

Thoughts in each day

Acts in his reflection

Given a full life

Deity's blessed soul

Weeps in his passing

For he was a great man

A gentle man

He was my friend