Bunt sind schon die Wälder,
Gelb die Stoppelfelder,
Und der Herbst beginnt.
Rote Blätter fallen,
Graue Nebel wallen,
Kühler weht der Wind.
Wie die volle Traube,
Aus dem Rebenlaube,
Purpurfarbig strahlt!
Am Geländer reifen
Pfirsiche mit Streifen
Rot und weiß bemalt.
Sieh! Wie hier die Dirne
Emsig Pflaum’ und Birne
In ihr Körbchen legt!
Dort, mit leichten Schritten,
Jene goldne Quitten
In den Landhof trägt!
Flinke Träger springen,
Und die Mädchen singen,
Alles jubelt froh!
Bunte Bänder schweben,
Zwischen hohen Reben,
Auf dem Hut von Stroh!
Geige tönt und Flöte
Bei der Abendröte
Und im Mondenglanz
Junge Winzerinnen
Winken und beginnen
Deutschen Ringeltanz.
Johann Gaudenz von Salis-Sewis:
Autumn Song
Woods turned red and sallow,
fields of stubble yellow,
and the fall begins.
Crimson leaves are drifting,
greyish fogs are shifting,
cooler blow the winds.
Grapes in fullest cluster
flaunt their purple luster
through the vine-leaves bright.
On the trellice growing
peaches' stripes are showing
painted red and white.
See the busy maiden
with her basket laden
full of plum and pear!
Girls, light and merry
golden quinces carry
to the farmhouse there.
Agile porters springing
and the servants singing,
all abuzz with glee.
Colored ribbons prancing
through the vines a-dancing
from the straw-hat free.
Fiddle and recorder
sound at twilight's border
in the moonlight's glance.
Vintagers are spinning
round and round, beginning
German harvest dance.
When I read this poem in Monika Spatz's Gedichtsuche ("Poem Search"), I remembered the first two lines from my early youth, more than half of a century earlier. Of course, I lifted the poem and translated it. After all, it was about autumn, was it not? However, I believe that at least at some of those uplifting occasions I should say Thank You! and give formal credit to the marvellous site "where it all came from".