Poem by the Danish writer Chr. Richardt

Nighttime star, please teach me

Nighttime star, please teach me

unswervingly, completely

just to tread the path I see

heaven’s Lord’s apportioned me!

Nighttime star, please teach me!

Meadow flowers, please teach me

that summer soon will reach me,

though the world is deep in woe

’neath winter snow to start to grow!

Meadow flowers, please teach me!

Barren heath, please teach me

you brown lark’s nest, if needs be,

though no harvest’s richly blessed,

to let the song dwell in my breast!

Barren heath, please teach me!

Countless waves, please teach me

to bear my yoke discreetly,

at setting sun, like you, not cease

to mirror some of heaven’s peace!

Countless waves, please teach me!

Rich-green groves, please teach me

to offer shade to each, be

it friend or foe that passes by

along my path in sun-filled sky!

Rich-green groves, please teach me!

Sun in cool of evening,

teach me the art of leaving,

to night’s depths never to be drawn

unless at dawn I rise reborn!

Teach me, sun, such leaving!