Cantor:
Little heart in the tower,
Striking clock,
Sound in the storm
Out through nature;
Bring back to us
The distant sun,
Fiery stars
Anticipate this happiness,
Borne in a heavenly manner
You bring the [new] year,
It has struck twelve,
Plainly and clearly.
 
Choir:
Open the windows
To all the outcries,
Wraiths of clouds,
Pass by now.
What the sinking sun
Pondered today,
Is already shown by the twinkling
Stars of the night;
They are already penetrated
By warming sunlight,
They are already enraptured
By fanciful love.
 
Cantor:
When the old year
Now turns back,
That bygone happiness
May be preserved,
When now the new [year]
Comes into the world
In order that that which displeases us
May be dispelled,
Thus is designed
The fate [decreed by] the gods;
All of you, practise
Faithful stewardship of this good fortune.
 
Choir:
Leap and sing
Turbulent heart,
That we may be permeated
By godly jest;
We as the knowing ones
Reveal ourselves here,
With kissing lips
We close each others’ mouths,
So that magnetic consecration
May glow through us,
And the poetic
New year may blossom.
 
Cantor:
Spiritually begins
That which renews itself,
Spiritually everyone
Attains time,
Deep in the spirit
The power acts,
So that with hope
The blossom may create itself;
Today wish openly
For that which makes you happy,
See in hope
Everything renewed.
 
Choir:
Always in darkness
The year comes,
The sparkle of wine
Makes it clear for us;
Bring us the
Clinking glasses,
Close the singing
Throats anew,
Gather the fiery
Wishes while drinking,
May no one belonging to you
Bite the dust.
 
Cantor:
Blithe sisters,
Drink to Time,
It was only just yesterday,
It is only just today;
Glorious brethren,
Fill your glasses,
The plumage of time
Swishes when one is drinking wine.
Let us arise to dances,
Turn in circles.
Swing in the roundelay,
Youth and aged one.
 
Choir:
Let us drift
Above the world,
Devoted to everything
That delights us.
Where the winged
Genius speaks,
The crafty, wrinkled
Face must flee,
And in the enlivening
Air of the times,
Ships in the process of being wrecked
May still travel far.