When I shall fall asleep for good, my son
Don't be uspet, don't cry and do not frown
Read all these lines at leisure, one by one
And then I beg you not to let me down.

I shall not ask for something you can't do
Because I've loved you dearly until now,
But time has come and without much ado,
Please keep your promise and respect your vow.

Take this dead body, made only of dust,
This wretched garment that I used to wear
And have it burned, in you I put my trust,
Then take the ashes with the greatest care.

And after that, go quickly to the tomb
In which my parents have eternal rest,
Spread there the ashes and forget the gloom,
Because I want to lie upon their chest.

And if you feel a tear in your big eyes,
Do not attempt to change your attitude,
But let it fall and watch a flower rise
By which I'll show my deepest gratitude.

– Come, big moon, in your full glory,
Show your face so bright and fair
Tell me an enchanting story
About palaces up there.

Have you ever seen, I wonder,
Who's inside, what kings, what czars?
Who speaks with a voice like thunder,
Who throws comets and blue stars?

Who made our Earth that's spinning
And this Universe so vast?
Was the Word in the beginning
Which created all so fast?

The moon whispers from her tower:
– Go to sleep and rest your brain,
Even though I have great power
I'm tied to this earthly plane.

If your soul is mean and vile
And your mind is deeply stained,
If you have a bogus smile,
Wear a mask and you are saved.

If your friend, who gives you all,
Without mercy is betrayed,
If your soul is really small,
Wear a mask and you are saved.

If you know that in your life
You have lied and misbehaved,
If you can't get rid of strife,
Wear a mask and you are saved.

If a person you have met
About you will want to ask
Open up, but don't forget
To keep on your daily mask.

Rise to the sky for good, wonderful soul,
And leave behind the sadness of this dirt
Be happy and pursue your lofty goal,
Don't you observe I laugh, although I'm hurt?

Go up, like that balloon that left my hand
Back in those days when I was just a boy
And when into the cosmos you expand
Look straight ahead and never lose your joy.

And on your journey, do not fear at all,
Don't let the grief to grab you, but do pray
For Jesus Christ all happy souls will call
And He will guide them on the holy way.

Don't be depressed that you have left us here
And felt the need to travel far and wide,
Because our souls, my mother sweet and dear,
Will love each other, even if you died.

And when you reach the Heaven, bright and true,
Wait calmly, for the wheel will spin like mad
And one fine day, as we have promised you
We'll be again together: you, me, dad.

Night is falling.
Long shadows cover us as like a velvet cloak,
Hiding us from the prying eyes of the passersby,
While the playful wind ruffles your disheveled hair,
Which falls in waves on your white marble shoulders.

Night is falling.
The Danube crawls quietly at our feet,
Tired of this endless pilgrimage,
And your thoughts flow with it to distant horizons,
Where the blue sky kisses the gloomy sea.

Night is falling.
Everything around is quiet and calm,
For the world is tired of so much turmoil,
Of so much labor, of so much pain, of so much hope,
And is getting ready for the holy and well deserved rest.

Night is falling.
Suddenly, your heart starts to beat faster,
Maybe out of fear, out of amazement or out of delight,
And I sit and listen to it petrified with emotion,
Fearing that it might come out of your chest.

Now it's night.
We have remained in the same place, side by side,
Nailed to the ground like deep-rooted trees,
But our pure souls, which are full of happiness,
Hug impetuously and rise hastily to the stars.

Fall rusty leaves from trees and like a carpet lie
Under my steps they rustle like lovers' longing sigh
Above my head a crane is floating in the sky,
Seeming so lost, because its flock now has gone by.

It's autumn and the park looks desolate and sad
Along a narrow lane a cop is nicely clad,
And I am walking fast like tourists stray and mad
Who a Renaissance painter on canvas soon will add.

A big and gloomy cloud I see is drawing near
And from the sky the rain will fall in waves, I fear,
The sun is slowly setting and soon will disappear,
Because the day is shorter at this time of the year.

A raven on a branch, with feathers long and black
Is watching full of lust the remnants of a snack,
While the majestic lake, which stretches at the back,
Now seems enraged and howls like a gray wolf in pack.

I'm going home, because it's getting late and dark
And suddenly the coolness has fallen on the park
A stray dog in the distance has started now to bark,
Because the autumn's here and summer lost its spark.

When grass becomes my sky
And I am just blue dust,
When unobserved I die
Leaving this world of lust.

When in the people's minds
My name will be accursed,
When everybody finds
In me only the worst.

When God His body turns
And runs away from me
When your desire burns
Once more my eyes to see.

Do not become upset,
But on your way you go,
Don't mourn and don't regret,
I can't dispel your woe.

Remember me, don't cry,
Get out of your dark den,
For everything goes by
And we shall meet again.