I Must Go Now

Sleep does not come in silent nights while thoughts of my dear Fatherland buzz through my mind like moth-kissed lights as if my tears could understand how precious years have come and gone and how I've missed her wrinkled face. The squeeze of time lets me go on, a spring wakes up my heartfelt pace. Old woman, mother, do not fear, from Southern Seas I call your name, it will be soon that you shall hear, your photo smiles in that small frame. I have the letters that you sent, each line penned by your shaky fingers this picture postcard here is meant to cheer you, as the image lingers. The times for me have been quite tough, one must collect material treasure, but soon I may have just enough to visit you, oh what a pleasure! The land itself, that of my birth will last forever, it has health, and only one thing on this earth pulls me away from foreign wealth. I saw how names have all been listed in columns of the local news and no one figures out how twisted cold destiny fills someone's shoes. I hear the churchbell at the harbour and feel your raindrops on my skin your smile surprises at the barber, but, now and then, the Devil's grin appears, it floats and hops around, it stares at me, your son, so brave and makes me scan the fertile ground where they would dig, for you, a grave. I ask you, captain, steer this ship full steam and more, just straight ahead, a prayer rests upon my lip dear God, my mother may be dead. Soaked from the storm and frightened by much angry lightning at the Rhine, we make our way past grapes of wine and stop beneath the Lorelei. Oh, yes, she sits up on the tip of granite stone, with golden hair, with grace she smiles down to our ship, a maiden, proud, beyond compare. And as we hurry on she waves, a sign for fishermen to drown. How foolish is the man who braves in moonlit streams the Devil's frown. The anchor drops, the house in sight. Up on the balcony she stands. The stars are here to lend their light, I have come home, from foreign lands.