Ah, whowasitcolouredthatlittlefrock, mychild, andcoveredyoursweetlimbswiththatlittleredtunic?
Youhavecomeoutinthemorningtoplayinthecourtyard, totteringandtumblingasyourun.
Butwhowasitcolouredthatlittlefrock, mychild?
Whatisitmakesyoulaugh, mylittlelife-bud?
Mothersmilesatyoustandingonthethreshold.
Sheclapsherhandsandherbraceletsjingle, andyoudancewithyourbamboostickinyourhandlikeatinylittleshepherd.
Butwhatisitmakesyoulaugh, mylittlelife-bud?
Obeggar, whatdoyoubegfor, clingingtoyourmother’sneckwithbothyourhands?
Ogreedyheart, shallIplucktheworldlikeafruitfromtheskytoplaceitonyourlittlerosypalm?
Obeggar, whatareyoubeggingfor?
Thewindcarriesawayingleethetinklingofyourankletbells.
Thesunsmilesandwatchesyourtoilet.
Theskywatchesoveryouwhenyousleepinyourmother’sarms, andthemorningcomestiptoetoyourbedandkissesyoureyes.
Thewindcarriesawayingleethetinklingofyourankletbells.
Thefairymistressofdreamsiscomingtowardsyou, flyingthroughthetwilightsky.
Theworld-motherkeepsherseatbyyouinyourmother’sheart.
Hewhoplayshismusictothestarsisstandingatyourwindowwithhisflute.
Andthefairymistressofdreamsiscomingtowardsyou, flyingthroughthetwilightsky.
