English translations of Zwei Gesänge für vierstimmigen Männerchor, opus 15

A wondrous lad is now coming
A-walking through the world,
And wherever he goes, up hill, down dale,
A radiance and a resplendence begins.
The field and valley stand in fresh greenness,
The birds are all singing,
A shower of blossoms and rain
Falls everywhere.
    Therefore we sing this song in the forest,
    With a hey and a tra-la-la,
    We sing it because everything is sprouting and flowering,
    As a greeting to the young month of May.
May delights in buzzing and humming,
Is ever in good spirits;
Hence brown May-bugs whirr
Around through the pine forest,
And from the moss there quickly grows
The loveliest adornment of all spring flowers,
With joy, its little white bells
Ring in the month of May.
    Therefore we sing this song in the forest,
    With a hey and a tra-la-la,
    We sing it because everything is sprouting and flowering,
    As a greeting to the young month of May.
Whoever can, now thinks
Of amusement, jest, and loving
Many a greying citizen
Finds his spirits rejuvenated.
He calls across the Rhine:
"Beloved darling, oh let me in!"
And on either side of the river one hears:
May is a good month for loving!
    Therefore we sing this song in the forest,
    With a hey and a tra-la-la,
    We sing it because everything is sprouting and flowering,
    As a greeting to the young month of May.

Mother Night in a grey mantle
Comes a-climbing up the mountain,
Grass and flowers drink dew,
Night-birds fly,
Little silver stars move gently.
    Good night!

That which flees sunshine
Now walks in the forest.
The cowherd falls asleep peacefully
Upon the acclivity of the mountain.
Happy maidens keep watch.
    Good night!

What troubles you, what plagues you,
Let it fall away towards the valley.
If you carry happiness in your heart,
You are to save it wisely
Until the sun smiles down once more.
    Good night!