Sparrows chirp loudly
cars hum more loudly
trams ring most loudly

Through the centuries stars are
symbols of ideal desire
snowballs star open
snow is white on black
camouflage

when the king is in Nice
the court jester throws snowballs
the footmen ride in sleighs
with the members
of the parliament

The sparrows fly forlornly
and chirp loudly
the barometer points to changeable
snow is camouflage
on Christmas night no baby will be born
in a garage

Translation:John Stevens Wade