The Clock - Die Uhr

the following poem/song was written in German by Johann Gabriell Seidl. It is one of Mum's favourites and I have had a go at translating it. Mum also said that Dad used to sing it. Came across it whilst cleaning up. That's why housework is so slow. There are just too many distractions!

I carry whereever I wander
A clock with me constantly,
How many seconds have beaten
Exactly I can see.

A very great Master
Artfully drives it’s cogs
Even though it’s chime doesn’t always
Grant every foolish request.

I wished it would hasten
Many a longwinded day
I wished it would sometimes
Have slowed somewhat it’s pace

During my joys and my sorrows
In storm and in rest
Whatever life had to offer
It rhythmicly beat its best

It beat at my fathers coffin
It beat at the bar of my friend
It beat on love’s joyful morning
and when at the altar I wed.

It beat at the childs sweet cradle
It beats, God willing, much more
When better days arrive
That my soul is longing for.

And those days when it faltererd
And threatened to stop it chimes
The Master always wound it
Generously one more time

But would one day it stay still
Then I am afraid it is done
No one apart from it’s Master
Will make the silent clock run.

Then I will join the Master
Who lives near the end so far
Outside away from this planet
where eternity starts.

Then to him I’ll return it
With thankful and childlike pleas
See Lord, I did no damage
Quite on it’s own it ceased.