WHEN I bring to you coloured toys, my child, I understand why there is such a play of colours on clouds, on water, and why flowers are painted in tints—when I give coloured toys to you, my child.
When I sing to make you dance I truly know why there is music in leaves, and why waves send their chorus of voices to the heart of the listening earth—when I sing to make you dance.
When I bring sweet things to your greedy hands I know why there is honey in the cup of the flower and why fruits are secretly filled with sweet juice—when I bring sweet things to your greedy hands.
When I kiss your face to make you smile, my darling, I surely understand what the pleasure is that streams from the sky in morning light, and what delight that is which the summer breeze brings to my body—when I kiss you to make you smile.
当我送你彩色玩具的时候,
我的孩子,我了解为什么云中水上会幻弄出这许多颜色,
为什么花朵都用颜色染起——
当我送你彩色玩具的时候,我的孩子。
当我唱歌使你跳舞的时候,
我彻底地知道为什么树叶上响出音乐,
为什么波浪把它们的合唱送进静听的大地的心头——
当我唱歌使你跳舞的时候。
当我把糖果递到你贪婪的手中的时候,
我懂得为什么花心里有蜜,为什么水果里隐藏着甜汁——
当我把糖果递到你贪婪的手中的时候。