A Winter Evening

Sable clouds by tempest driven,

Snowflakes whirling in the gales,

Hark--it sounds like grim wolves howling,

Hark--now like a child it wails!

Creeping through the rustling straw thatch,

Rattling on the mortared walls,

Like some weary wanderer knocking--

On the lowly pane it falls.

Fearsome darkness fills the kitchen,

Drear and lonely our retreat,

Speak a word and break the silence,

Dearest little Mother, sweet!

Has the moaning of the tempest

Closed thine eyelids wearily?

Has the spinning wheel's soft whirring

Hummed a cradle song to thee?

Sweetheart of my youthful Springtime,

Thou true-souled companion dear--

Let us drink! Away with sadness!

Wine will fill our hearts with cheer.

Sing the song how free and careless

Birds live in a distant land--

Sing the song of maids at morning

Meeting by the brook's clear strand!

Sable clouds by tempest driven,

Snowflakes whirling in the gales,

Hark--it sounds like grim wolves howling,

Hark--now like a child it wails!

Sweetheart of my youthful Springtime,

Thou true-souled companion dear,

Let us drink! Away with sadness!

Wine will fill our hearts with cheer!