Schwalbenlied [English translation]

Mom, under the roof a nest has been built,1

look, look, look, yes look!

There the bullfinch has united a couple in matrimony2

united, united, united, yes united.

There see just, how happy they bo-o-th are:

They fly here and there, they fly here and there!

Oh, mom, oh were I a swallow-child

how beautiful, how beautiful that would be, tha-at would be!

Up and down, criss and cross

flies a swallow-couple

without pause or rest

Lieselchen, Lieselchen3

lively as a little weasel4

so likes to watch.

She, who otherwise always

always sings and laughs,

is totally still today

and very softly thou-ought to herself:

Always, always,

like the swallows without rest -

if that ma-akes you happy?5

Mom, under the roof a nest has been built,

look, look, look, yes look!

There the bullfinch has united a couple in matrimony

united, united, united, yes united.

There see just, how happy they bo-o-th are:

They fly here and there, they fly here and there!

Oh, mom, oh were I a swallow-child

how beautiful, how beautiful that would be, tha-at would be!

1. "Mutterl" is an old affectionate way of saying "mom"2. unite in matrimony - trauen; also couple here is diminutive, therefore the -chen3. a nickname for "Lisa"4. again -chen5. she's thinking "you" as generally; more along the lines of "does that make people happy"