Emanuel Geibel (1815–1884)

THE MAY-TIME has come and the trees are budding fair;

Then stay, all who want to, at home with toil and care!

As the clouds are wandering along the heavenly dome,

So my heart is longing the wide world to roam.

Farewell, father, mother, may God you ever bless!

Who knows where, far from here, I’ll find happiness!

There are many roads still, I never have spied,

There are many wines, too, I never yet have tried.

So up and about in the gay sunlight’s glow,

Far over the mountains, through valleys to go!

The trees murmur gladly, the springs leap along,

My heart’s like the lark and it joins in the song.

At night, in the village, I stop at a sign:

“Sir landlord, sir landlord, a jug of cool wine!

You jolly good fiddler, take your fiddle and play!

About my dear sweetheart I’ll sing you a lay.”

And if I find no shelter, I’ll lie in the night

Beneath the dark blue heavens, while stars are watching bright;

The wind in the lindens will lull me into dreams,

At dawn I’ll be roused by the morning sunbeams.

To wander, to wander—oh, youth’s happy zest,

When God’s breath is blowing so freely through the breast!

Then unto high heaven sings the jubilant heart:

Oh, wide world, I greet thee, how beautiful thou art!