The silent town

Hans Erich Pfitzner

A town lies in the valley,

a pallid day fades;

it will not be long now

before neither moon nor stars

but only night will be seen in the sky.

From all the mountains

fog presses down upon the town;

no roof may be discerned, no yard nor house,

no sound penetrates through the smoke,

barely even a tower or a bridge.

But as the traveller became filled with dread

a little light shone out;

and through the smoke and fog

a quiet song of praise began,

sung by children.