A dreary place would be this earth,
如果没有了小人儿在地球上,
Were there no little people in it;
这个地方将是多么沉闷无聊;
The song of life would lose its mirth,
没有了孩子们领头唱,
Were there no children to begin it;
生命之歌将失去欢乐的曲调。
No little forms, like buds to grow,
没有了那些小东西,像嫩芽初露,
And make the admiring heart surrender;
让爱慕的心为之震颤;
No little hands on breast and brow,
没有了轻抚于胸前和眉间的小手,
To keep the thrilling love chords tender.
让爱的和弦轻柔地奏响于心间。
The sterner souls would grow more stern,
无情的灵魂只会更无情,
Unfeeling nature more inhuman,
麻木的心灵会更残忍,
And man to utter coldness turn,
男人现出冷酷言行,
And woman would be less than woman.
女人也不像女人。
Life's song, indeed, would lose its charm,
确实,如果没有婴儿的初啼,
Were there no babies to begin it;
生命之歌将会失去魅力;
A doleful place this world would be,
如果没有了小人儿在这里,
Were there no little people in it.
世界将会变成寂寞阴沉之地。