Der Stille Grund [English translation]

Moonlight shrouds from far and wide

Across the valleys down below

Likewise, the rivers and streams

Pass thru in solitude.

And lo, I saw before me

The forests high upon the lofty heights

The shaded evergreens

Mirroring over the deep lake.

I beheld a small vessel drawing near

No one was aboard

It seemed to be adrift

And half-sunken.

There! A mermaid from the ocean

Stroking her golden hair

Thinking she was all alone,

She began to sing.

She sang in the night, her wondrous voice echoing

Thru the trees and streams

And whispering as in a dream

Throughout the twilight landscape.

I stood all amazed

As the ringing of bells

Saturated the morning air

Thru the forests and canyons.

I wouldn't have noticed

Such better timing1

Nor would it have crossed my mind

For Silent Grounds such as this!

1. better timing/hour of the ringing bells.