A dreary place would be this earth,
如果沒有了小人兒在地球上,
Were there no little people in it;
這個地方將是多么沉悶無聊;
The song of life would lose its mirth,
沒有了孩子們領(lǐng)頭唱,
Were there no children to begin it;
生命之歌將失去歡樂的曲調(diào)。
No little forms, like buds to grow,
沒有了那些小東西,像嫩芽初露,
And make the admiring heart surrender;
讓愛慕的心為之震顫;
No little hands on breast and brow,
沒有了輕撫于胸前和眉間的小手,
To keep the thrilling love chords tender.
讓愛的和弦輕柔地奏響于心間。
The sterner souls would grow more stern,
無情的靈魂只會更無情,
Unfeeling nature more inhuman,
麻木的心靈會更殘忍,
And man to utter coldness turn,
男人現(xiàn)出冷酷言行,
And woman would be less than woman.
女人也不像女人。
Life's song, indeed, would lose its charm,
確實(shí),如果沒有嬰兒的初啼,
Were there no babies to begin it;
生命之歌將會失去魅力;
A doleful place this world would be,
如果沒有了小人兒在這里,
Were there no little people in it.
世界將會變成寂寞陰沉之地。