Swiftly turn the murmuring wheel!

嗡嗡的纺车快转吧！

 Night has brought the welcome hour,

 夜晚送来了好时辰；

When the weary fingers feel

仿佛有神灵帮一把，

 Help, as if from faery power;

 疲弱的手指又来劲；

Dewy night o'ershades the ground,

露水渐浓田地暗，

Turn the swift wheel round and round!

把纺车摇得团团转！

Now, beneath the starry sky,

天上星儿亮又多，

 Couch the widely-scattered sheep;

 地下羊儿睡满坡；

Ply the pleasant labour, ply!

加劲干！时辰莫错过——

 For the spindle, while they sleep,

 羊儿睡了好干活：

Runs with speed more smooth and fine,

纺锤转起来快又稳，

Gathering up a trustier line.

毛线捻出来牢又紧。

Short-lived likings may be bred

眉眼轻狂情不专，

 By a glance from fickle eyes;

 相好的日子长不了；

But true love is like the thread

真正的爱情像毛线，

 Which the kindly wool supplies,

 用羊毛拧得紧又牢——

When the flocks are all at rest,

趁羊群歇在山坡上，

Sleeping on the mountain's breast.

趁羊儿入睡的好时光。