Sing, Maiden sing! 
  Mouths were made for singing;
Listen, -- Songs thou'lt hear
  Through the wide world ringing;
Songs from all the birds, 
  Songs from winds and showers,
Songs from seas and streams,
  Even from sweet flowers.

Hear'st thou the rain,
  How it gently falleth? 
Hearest thou the bird, 
  Who from forest calleth? 
Hearest thou the bee 
  O'er the sunflower ringing? 
Tell us, Maiden, now --
  Should'st thou not be singing? 

Hear'st thou the breeze
  Round the rose-bud sighing? 
And the sweet small rose 
  Love to love replying?
So should'st thou reply,
  To the pray'r we're bringing: 
So that bud, thy mouth,
  Should break forth in singing!