C.D. Warner, et al., comp. The Library of the World’s Best Literature.
An Anthology in Thirty Volumes. 1917.

Oehlenschläger’s Only Hymn

Translation of Richard Burton

TEACH me, O forest, that I may

Like autumn leaves fade glad away,

A fairer spring forecasting;

There green my tree shall glorious stand,

Deep-rooted in the lovely land

Of summer everlasting.

O little bird of passage, thou

Teach me in faith to hie me now

To shores that are uncharted;

When all is winter here, and ice,

Then shall eternal Paradise

Open to me, departed.

Teach me, thou butterfly so light,

To break from out my prison plight

That is my freedom robbing;

On earth I creep with lowly things,

But soon the golden-purple wings

Shall high in air be throbbing.

O Thou who smilest from yon sky,

Master and Savior, Christ the high,

Teach me to conquer sorrow.

Let Hope’s bright flag enhearten me;

Although Good Friday bitter be,

Fair is the Easter morrow.