When I bring to you colour'd toys, my child,
I understand why there is such a play of colours
on clouds, on water, and why flow'rs are painted in tints:
When I give colour'd toys to you, my child.
When I sing to make you dance,
I truly know why there is music in leaves,
and why waves send their chorus of voices
to the heart of the listening earth:
When I sing to make you dance.
When I bring sweet things to your greedy hands,
I know why there is honey in the cup of the flower
and why fruits are secretly filled with sweet juice:
When I bring sweet things to your greedy hands.
When I kiss your face to make you smile, my darling,
I surely understand
what pleasure streams from the sky in morning light,
and what delight that is which the summer breeze brings to my body -
when I kiss you to make you smile.