Dogtertjie, het jy verdwaal?
So lanklaas tuis, weg van liefde bekend
Meisiekind, kruip tog nou nader
Hier's 'n gehympie wat ek jou vertel
Little girl, are you lost?
So far from home and all love that you know
Lift your head, dry your eyes
Gee my jou hand
Laat my jou by die paatjie af lei
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Literal Translation:
Little girl, did you get lost?
Such a long time since you've bene home, away from familiar love
Girl-child, just crawl closer, now
Here's a secret I'll tell you
Little girl, are you lost?
So far from home and all love that you know
Lift your head, dry your eyes
Give me your hand
Let me lead you down the path
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At the very beginning of the story, the little girl, age 5, is found by an old man - a complete stranger to her - in the heart of a forest. She's crying, sitting in the middle of the little dirt road; it's the same road she lives on, but further down, where she can no longer see the little house she lives in. The man approaches her and stands next to her for a moment, waiting for her to look up at him. When she does, he picks up the child and begins to sing her this lullaby, comforting her, though she continues to cry. At last the tears stop and he puts her down, taking her little hand in his as together they walk down the dirt road back towards her home.
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