Adelheid

Why droop the sorrowing trees,
Swayed by the autumn breeze,
Heavy with rain?
Drearily, wearily,
Move
as in pain!
Weeping and sighing,
They ever seem crying,
"Adelheid! Adelheid!" evening and morn:
"Adelheid! Adelheid! where has she gone?"
With their arms bending there,
In the cold winter air,
Icy and chill,
Trembling and glistening,
Watching and listening,
Awaiting her still,
With the snow round their feet,
Still they the name repeat —
"Adelheid! Adelheid! here is her home:
Adelheid! Adelheid! when will she come?''
With the warm breath of Spring
Now the foliage is stirr'd;
On the pathway below them
A footstep is heard.
Now bent gently o'er her,
How joyous the greeting,
Now waving before her
Each sound seems repeating —
"Adelheid! Adelheid! welcome again."
Their branches upspringing,
The breeze through them ringing,
The birds through them singing,
Unite in the strain —
"Adelheid! Adelheid! welcome again!"