The young May-moon is shimmering, my love,
The bright fireflies are flickering, my love,
        I gladly wander alone
        Through meadow and grove
When in a dream the world concerns itself with nothing, my love!
But awaken! For the world is full of splendour, my child,
It has been created for happiness, my child,
        The best endeavour
        To extend one’s life
Is to steal an hour of the night, my child.

The world is still sleeping gladly, my love,
Only astronomers gaze to the stars, my love!
        My star so clear
        Is your pair of eyes
That looks out into the distance from yonder window, my love!
But awaken! For the sun is wakening, my child,
The astronomer is gazing gently about, my child,
        He espies you clearly,
        Thus he must surely
Deem you to be a star full of splendour, my love.