Personalized lyrics

Leni's Four Seconds

Lenis vier Sekunden

A classical-style song for Leni

First steps across the living room

Play the song Read the lyrics

Written for the name LeniYours to sing or record

A baby wearing headphones, eyes closed, listening peacefully to music.

A special gift for Leni

The recording

Lenis vier Sekunden

Leni's Four Seconds · 3:37

Music style

Classical-style

Strings and piano behind a clear, unhurried voice - closer to an art song than a pop song.

Listen on

From the album Hand in Hand: German Songs for Small Days

Yours to keep

Leni's Four Seconds lyrics

Lyrics

Personalize this song

GermanEnglish

Leni heute war der TagLeni today was the dayAn dem du gestanden hastOn which you stood upErst ein Zögern an dem TischFirst a hesitation at the tableDann ein Schritt ganz ohne HaltThen one step with nothing to holdUnd die Uhr hat weitergeticktAnd the clock kept on tickingAls ob gar nichts anders wärAs if nothing were any differentWir sind alle still gewordenAll of us went quietKeiner hat sich mehr bewegtNobody moved at allVier Sekunden lang ein KindFor four seconds a childDas zum allerersten MalWho for the very first timeDurch ein ganzes Zimmer gehtWalks across a whole roomUnd dann bist du umgefallenAnd then you fell overLeni du hast losgelassenLeni you let goUnd der Boden hat gehaltenAnd the floor held you upLeni du hast losgelassenLeni you let goUnd wir haben es gesehenAnd we were there to see itDu wirst laufen und dann rennenYou will walk and then you will runDu wirst gehen wo du willstYou will go wherever you wantEines Tages aus der TürOne day right out of the doorUnd wir werden hier noch stehenAnd we will still be standing hereAber diese vier SekundenBut those four secondsDie gehören immer unsThey belong to us foreverLeni du hast losgelassenLeni you let goUnd der Boden hat gehaltenAnd the floor held you upLeni du hast losgelassenLeni you let goUnd wir haben es gesehenAnd we were there to see it

Where the name comes from

Leni is usually a German pet form of a longer name - most often Helene or Magdalena - rather than a name with its own separate root; which one it shortens varies by family.

Why this moment matters

Four seconds of wobbling steps doesn't sound like much until you remember it's the first time anyone in the room has ever seen this particular child walk.

The story behind this song

Four wobbling seconds across the living room, arms out for balance, and everyone holds their breath until she reaches the sofa.

Make one for your family

This one is yours to read and sing. We write and record a song around your own details - nicknames, keepsakes, the night they arrived - in the genre and language you pick.

Create your song

New songs for Leni

Leave your email and we'll let you know when new songs for the name Leni are available.

Personalize a song like this

Create your song

From the library

More songs like this

Classical-style · GermanPaulNamed after his grandfather Classical-style · SpanishAlejandroFirst morning home from the hospital Classical-style · FrenchAmbreAutumn leaves on the pram blanket Classical-style · PortugueseDaviHis name in his grandfather's handwriting Classical-style · Korean도윤A name chosen with great care Classical-style · EnglishEmmaHer name written in the front of a book

Browse the library →

Follow Little Magic