O my love, what takes you
far beyond the meadow?
Leaving me in sorrow
in my lonely orchard.

Dearest one farewell then,
may God guide my darling.
Light of day shine on you,
golden rays around you.
My love, tell me, my love,
How long ere you turn home?

No more will my heart
be joyful in your presence.
Like a tree that
never more will blossom.

Oh I want a young and handsome husband,
Rich enough a fine white veil to buy me!
Though sometimes in anger he might beat me,
Even so a gay young wife should I be.

Never need a young wife be downhearted
Though a cross old husband plague and thwart her.
Soon he'll die and she will have freedom,
Spring will bring a younger one to court her.

Empty the chest, nothing doing!
Where there's no store, none come wooing.
Why, idle hands, are you lazy?
Why, sleepy eyes, are you drowsy?

I have no flax on my distaff, no yarn on my spindle.
Empty my spool, naught have I done,
I have no yarn, naught have I spun.
Quite half a year spinning I've sat,
And if I sleep, I have earned that!
I have nothing on my distaff!
Empty the chest, nothing doing!
Where there's no store, none come wooing.

I will not give chest and clothing
I'll give the bride, or else nothing.
Only old rags, some half dozen
That is the gift I have chosen.
I will give her rags and tatters,
Or else some such useless matters!
Only old rags, some half dozen
Scanty are the gifts she's chosen. What am I to do?