All the fields are still covered with snow,
And the wind is sharp and rough;
All the forests are still so mute,
And every branch still blind!
  Only here along the edge of the woods,
Where the snow melts early,
As in a dream, there gazes at me
A dear little spot of green.

  Oh! how my heart immediately
Laughs so blissfully within me,
As if sunny springtime
Had already woken in the land!
  And though no birdlet yet helps
Me to make music:
Nevertheless I must send my rejoicing cry
Loudly into the forest!

Why the scent of the violets is so lovely,
Only I and one other know;
There in the gold of morning still 
Sparkles her house above the Rhine!

It is so long ago! But that time 
Is never out of my mind;
There, with all bliss,
Youthful love dawned for me!

And when the violets bloom again
And send out their scent,
I always see the one, with a lovely glow, 
Presenting me with the violet bouquet.

Year in, year out, I do not forget it:
With every new March
The light of my first love shines
As back then in my heart, as back then!

Thus, why the scent of the violets is so lovely,
Only I and one other know;
Ye breezes, greet in the morning gold
The one whom I mean!

  Make your way to the heights and look about,
The light has dawned!
Oh, all the anxieties, fearful and heavy,
Forget them in the light's resplendence!
  Tear off, tear off your garb of mourning,
The Lord wishes to remember you,
And give you joy after all the suffering,
And give you comfort and bliss!

  Hark! how the forest soughs in the wind
And the freshly-sown crops surge briskly,
And how the gratitude of the birds rings out
To the delight of the Lord!
  You, too, join in, full of the courage of belief,
Let your song resound brightly!
Arise! Everything shall turn out well yet
And must bring you blessings!

  Arise! As moss and shrub wish
To give you peace and gentle shade,
Thus, after all the wild storms,
God's grace now wishes to envelop you!
  And as through the greenery you see
The countryside in a shimmer of sparkling,
Thus does His hand lead you faithfully
Through all darkness to the light!