A child is groaning... A candle, burning out,
Dimly flickers onto surroundings.
The whole night, rocking the cradle,
A mother has not dozed away with sleep.
Early-early in the morning, carefully, on the door
Compassionate Death—Knock!
The mother shuddered, looked back with worry...
"Don't get frightened, my dear!
Pale morning already looks in the window...
With crying, anguishing and loving
You have tired yourself, have a little nap,
I'll sit instead of you.
You've failed to pacify the child.
I'll sing sweeter than you"—
"Quiet! My child rushes and struggles,
Tormenting my soul!"
"Well, with me he'll soon be appeased.
Lullaby, lullaby, lullaby."—
"The cheeks are fading, the breath in weakening...
Be quiet, I beg you!"—
"That's a good sign, the suffering will quieten,
Lullaby, lullaby, lullaby."—
"Be gone, you damned thing!
With your tenderness you'll kill my joy!"—
"No, a peaceful sleep I'll conjure up for the baby.
Lullaby, lullaby, lullaby."—
"Have pity, wait at least for a moment
with finishing your awful song!"—
"Look, he fell asleep with my quiet singing.
Lullaby, lullaby, lullaby."