The snow is gone, has flowed away
Into the great, vast ocean.
The swallows have returned,
They came back, I know not whence.
I only know that they found each other again,
Because love does not abandon love,
And they are setting up house here,
For love builds a nest for love.
 
   Often when they had flown away,
And the time of flowers approached,
Then they came flying back again;
They came, what concern was it of mine?
I was happiest when I saw them leave
For a warmer clime far away.
I could not stand their chatter,
Of which I as yet understood nothing.
 
   Often when they had disturbed my sleep
It happened that my displeasure was directed at them,
A maiden must love something;
She loves, ah, she loves to sleep.
But this time, like old friends,
I greeted them joyfully and they greeted me;
Truly, we are kindred spirits!
They love, they love as I do!
 
   They chatter and rhapsodize and dream,
And indulge in many a loving jest
Upon sunny rooves and trees,
And you, you understand them, my heart!
That which would eternally have remained a mystery,
Only tenderness can decipher,
Swallows understand only love,
Love understands nature.