Translated by H. Melvin Symmank.

The claim that the Wends sang the Wandrowski Kěrluš =Wanderlied =Pilgrim Song when they left Germany in 1854 is authenticated in Rudolf Jenč's history of Sorbian literature Stawizny serbskeho pismowstwa (Bautzen, 1954), pp. 203-204. Gerald Stone.

Must in my days
Here as a foreigner, I
Suffering, toil and pain
Even variously,
Go through rain, storm, and lightning,
Fog, snow and sunstroke
I yet my way.

Wandering on to the goal
Is my eye and heart,
Where it completely ended
mourning, cross and pain:
Then very soon I came to a house.
There is ended with the wandering
And I go to rest.

Under God's serving
I have been chosen,
As a fellow citizen
All have been included.
Therefore I forget all toil
Which I there on the way
Have often been harassed.

And what distress to life
On the way to me
God will all give
Bread and shelter here.
What demand I yet for more?
This yet hold up, is weighty for me,
I go in there light.

What things trouble me
Which are not mine?
That I press forward,
I must go quickly
I must quickly hurry forth
Until I come to that place
Where my happiness blossoms.

(It is) good for me, that I have
my pilgrim staff,
On which to the grave
I have a support
And yet in eternity
Defends me and makes me glad
And is my treasure.

He will give me comfort
In the midst of the distress,
He gives me life
In the midst of death:
O my staff, my Jesus, you,
You are my souls peace
You (are) my better staff.

Angels go with me
Every way and path
When they stand before me
The devil stays away.
Under their trusty cover
I have a good protection
Always where I am.

Many brothers wander
With me heavenward
Many of the all
I will meet again.
So I am yet not alone
Yes it may be so before people
But not so before God.

That border land
Is to be seen already
In the finer lens
Blooms our crown.
As shines there the city of the Lord!
There all darkness is distant
God himself is the light.

To the place of joy
Where is the home
We will all journey
Only by transport of Christ
Where is heard the angel choir
Brother look yet upwards
For the bridegroom comes.

Yes it comes in a hurry
Our lifetime
King, so as long as
For us salvation
Which he there on the cross
Has purchased on Golgotha
Where he left his blood.

All the good, pious
Stand there ready
Calls us welcome
After the time of misery
Sing, sing halleluiah
Our Canaan is there
World, now good night!




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