[Verse 1] Ich trage swîgen in dem muot, bî dem abentlîhte klâr; kein wunsch mich treibet, kein getuot, daz hêrze ruowet still und gar, als hâte ez lange dâ gewart. [Verse 2] Diu sunne neiget sachte sich, der tac verlîret sîn gewalt; daz lîht vertûret âne strît, die werlt wirt lîse, wît und alt, und nieman ruofet mê zehant. [Verse 3] Mîn hant ist müede von der zît, der lîp gedenket sîner last; doch swaz der tac mir hât gelîht, daz lâz ich hie bî ruowe fast, und trage nâht als sînen gast. [Verse 4] Ich klage niht, ich bite niht, ich zæle weder leit noch lôn; genûge ist mir daz kleine lîht, daz mir der abent hât getân, und swîgen, daz mich tragen kan. [Verse 5] Swaz morgen kumt, daz sî mir frô, swaz gêt, daz lâz ich sanfte gân; ich halte niht, ich fluoche niht, ich dô, ich bin bî mînem hînt verlân, und ruowe, swîgend, bî dem schîn. Translation: [Verse 1] I carry silence within my heart, by the clear light of evening; no wish drives me, no deed compels me, the heart rests wholly still, as though it had long been waiting there. [Verse 2] The sun inclines itself softly, the day loses its dominion; the light fades without struggle, the world grows quiet, wide and old, and no one calls out anymore. [Verse 3] My hand is weary from the passing time, the body remembers its burden; yet whatever the day has granted me, I leave it here in peaceful rest, and welcome the night as its guest. [Verse 4] I do not lament, I do not beg, I count neither sorrow nor reward; enough for me is the little light that evening has given me, and the silence that is able to bear me. [Verse 5] Whatever tomorrow brings, let it be fair to me; whatever goes, I let it pass gently; I cling to nothing, I curse nothing, I do not act — I am left with my today, and rest, in silence, by the fading glow.
