Fate

With her walking stick,

With her dark eyes

Fate, like a terrible sentinel,

Follows us everywhere.

Her awful face threatens,

She has turned grey with threats,

She has indeed conquered many,

And always knocks, and always knocks:

Knock, knock, knock...

Enough, my friend,

Stop seeking happiness!

Knock, knock, knock...

The poor man has come to know her very well:

They walk hand in hand,

They collect bread crusts together,

As a reward they starve together.

All day the rain drizzles on him,

In the evening the snowstorm cloaks him,

And in the night with woe, yes with alarm

Fate knocks in his sleep:

Knock, knock, knock...

Look there, friend,

How others live.

Knock, knock, knock...

Another anniversary has gone by

Riches, youth and fame,

What songs of them have not joyfully merged,

Wine poured for them in amusement:

Their feast resounds for quite a while.

But suddenly the pale guests fell silent...

With her hand, trembling with anger,

Fate knocks to them on the small window:

Knock, knock, knock...

A new friend aproaches thee,

Prepare a seat!

Knock, knock, knock...

But there is still happiness in the world!

One day, in fervent expectation,

With youthful rapture on his brow,

A lucky man has come to his rendezvous.

He is still alone, all is silent,

Dawn emerges behind the woods,

And the nightingale already fades

But his heart beats and knocks:

Knock, knock, knock...

My dear friend,

So you've come to meet me?

Knock, knock, knock...

But look, there she comes,

And in an instant love, anxiety, expectation,

bliss, all mingled for them

In one mad kiss!

The silent night watches them,

The whole sky is ablaze.

But someone behind the bushes quietly,

tiresomely knocks with her stick:

Knock, knock, knock...

Old friend

The end of your happiness has come!

Knock, knock, knock...