Der große Abschied [English translation]

Childhood, life's gentle air,

The day that calls you to play

Where often only a glass breaks,

You don't know more

The small train which you like

Only drives in a circle - not into the world

You start your life so small

And then what's next?

Then there comes the great farewell from time

There's no reunion,

Even if it was so beautiful

Then there comes the great farewell, be ready

Because everything will pass,

The world, it has to spin

School, life's first duty,

Where more than glass breaks

First love and first sorrow,

Your road is far

Summer of life, you know enough,

Accomplished much and you are so clever

You often hear with pride: What a man,

And what's next?

Then there comes the great farewell from time

There's no reunion,

Even if it was so beautiful

Then there comes the great farewell, be ready

Because everything will pass,

The world, it has to spin

When autumn and winter are coming up

You smile as it began

White is your hair, your expression so wide,

You look back

Nothing is so important and nothing so big

As your peaceful hand in the lap

Nothing in life starts again

And what's next?

Then there comes the great farewell from time

There's no reunion,

Even if it was so beautiful