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.
當我送你彩色玩具的時候,
我的孩子,我了解為什么云中水上會幻弄出這許多顏色,
為什么花朵都用顏色染起——
當我送你彩色玩具的時候,我的孩子。
當我唱歌使你跳舞的時候,
我徹底地知道為什么樹葉上響出音樂,
為什么波浪把它們的合唱送進靜聽的大地的心頭——
當我唱歌使你跳舞的時候。
當我把糖果遞到你貪婪的手中的時候,
我懂得為什么花心里有蜜,為什么水果里隱藏著甜汁——
當我把糖果遞到你貪婪的手中的時候。