Soft approaching,
in the silence of the darkness.
We are here, and with fingers gently curled,
Softly, softly knocking
on the beloved's chamber door;
But now growing, swelling,
rising as one voice together,
Loudly we call with one accord:
Sleep no more,
when the voice of longing speaks!
Once a wise man went out looking,
Good men with his lantern seeking,
Rarer than the finest gold
Is a kind of loving friend.
So when friendship, love is here,
O beloved, sleep no more when love is here!
But what treasure of all treasures
Can compare with sleep's great pleasures?
So instead of word and speaking
You must now have sleep and waking;
Just one greeting, just one word,
And the joyful song is over:
Softly, softly now we end our serenade.

(Singable translation by Jean Lunn)