The notes of the water-sprite's harp resound:
There stands the wild waterfall,
Surrounds with foam and waves
The water-sprite, in a rainbow.
The trees nod
So silently and quiet
And the nightingale listens, barely breathing. 
 
"O water-sprite, what are you singing for?
You cannot indeed be happy!
What good can your singing do?"
The water-sprite lifts his eyes,
Sees the little children,
Begins to weep...
And so sinks into the flood.

The waterfall roars and foams,
The nightingale flies high on its way,
The trees lustily lift
Their green, splendid heads.
O woe, the wild children
Have grieved
The water-sprite in the waterfall!
 
"Come back, water-sprite, you sing so sweetly!
He who sings can go to heaven!
You may with your song
Penetrate to paradise!
O come, the children
Were just playing:
Come back, o water-sprite, and sing sweetly!"
 
Then sound the notes of the water-sprite's harp
And again stands the wild waterfall,
Surrounds with foam and waves
The water-sprite, in a rainbow.
The trees nod
So silently and quiet
And the nightingale listens, barely breathing. 
 
The water-sprite sings and plays lustily
Of sea and earth and heaven.
With his singing he can make you laugh
And weep tears of joy!
The forest trembles,
The sun floats above...
He sings right until starry night!