The sun sinks behind the mountains.
In every valley descends the evening
With its shadows, full of coolness.
Oh look! Like a silver bark floats
The moon on the blue sea of heaven.
I feel a fine wind's blowing
Under the dark fir trees!
The brook sings pleasantly through the darkness.
The flowers grow pale in the twilight.
The earth breathes full of rest and sleep.
All desires are only to dream.
Weary people head homewards,
So that in sleep forgotten joy
And youth will be learned anew!
The birds perch still on their branches.
The world falls asleep!
A cool breeze blows in the shadow of my fir trees.
I stand here and await my friend;
I wait here for his last farewell.
I wish, my friend, that you were here by my side
To enjoy the beauty of this evening.
Where are you! You leave me long alone! I wander to and fro with my lute
Along paths that swell with soft grass.
Oh beauty! Oh eternal life-and-love-drunken world!

He climbed from his horse and offered him the drink
Of farewell. He asked him, from where
He came and also why it must be so.
He spoke, his voice was veiled. You, my friend,
Fortune was not good to me in this world!
Where am I going? I go, I wander in the mountains.
I seek rest for my lonely heart.
I wander toward my homeland, my sanctuary!
I will no longer wander in the distance.
My heart is still and awaits its hour!

The dear earth everywhere blooms in spring and grows green
Anew! Everywhere and forever grows the distance bright and blue!
Forever...forever...forever...

(First part after Meng Kao-yen, second part after Wang Wei, final three lines originally by Mahler)