To the homeland
Brahms, Johannes
Homeland!
Wonderful-sounding word!
How on feathery wings
you draw my heart toward you,
rejoicing, as if I must bring you the greeting
of every soul.
I turn my steps to you,
welcoming homeland!
Homeland!
With that gentle-sounding note
old songs awaken in me
which have flown far away from me;
they call me, full of joy,
to alluring sounds of home.
Only you are peace,
sheltering homeland!
Homeland!
Give me back the peace
that I have lost in the distance,
give me your thriving happiness!
Beneath the trees by the brook,
where I was born long ago,
Give me a sheltering roof,
dear homeland!