Hab' Dank für deine Zeit [English translation]

I who doesn’t doff his hat to anyone

Who doesn’t kneel down for any lord

And whose neck doesn’t learn to bow,

I’m here because I’d like to tell you:

Your example makes me small and quiet

and shuts up my impudent slander.

The children hang about you

Not one can make it on his own,

I see you towering above the small herd.

There are glances full of contempt sometimes:

They are not what one calls “normal”.

Let me speak for those silent mouths, and say:

Thank You For Your Time

Thank you for your kindness

For your manual labour

For the courage that overcomes

all resistance and all pettiness.

Thank You For Your Time

You who in so-called old people’s home

Know how to listen patiently,

While we merely lead the old folks,

You are next-of-kin, friend and child

to those who are forgotten there.

The only visitor they get is you.

Who in the big hospital perform your duty

day in, day out

And you master the art to diminish suffering.

No glory, no decoration let you fail

the task that inspires you

to give comfort and to alleviate pains.

Thank You For Your Time.

It comforts me to see that there are

people like you among us

And the certainty thereof is dear to me.

A spark of your humanity

Warms me in our rough times

and shines like a big bonfire.

Thank You For Your Time.

• Artist:Reinhard Mey