The years have come and have passed !
Since I last saw my mother,
Twelve years have already elapsed,
Grown have my nostalgia and desire.

Their growth is special of a kind :
The old lady cast a bewitching spell,
The old one is always on my mind,
May God keep her and preserve her well !

The old lady's love is kind and gentle,
And in the letters that she has written,
I could see how her hand does tremble,
How deep the mother's heart is shaken.

My mother remains always in my thought.
Twelve long years have flown away,
Twelve long years, since I brought
Her close to my heart, that day.

Germany will always endure,
In it's core, it is a country healthy and sane,
With its linden trees and oaks, for sure,
I shall always find her again.

I would not crave for Germany, so much,
If my mother were not there;
My country will never perish, as such,
Whereas the old lady can badly fare.

Since I have left my country,
So many loved ones have passed away,
Should I start to count  this gentry,
My soul will bleed in dismay.

And count I must - With this toll,
My torment will increase, I fear,
It's as if corpses begin to roll
Over my chest - Thank goodness! They disappear!

Thank goodness! Through my window breaking,
The daylight of France is serene and gay;
My wife arrives; she is  as pretty as morning,
And with her smile, she chases my worry away.