Departure

What is tinkling and singing up the street?

You damsels, open your windows!

The lad is leaving for the wide world,

and they are going with him.

Well may others rejoice and toss their hats

with many ribbons and many noble flowers;

yet the lads do not like this custom

and walk silent and pale in the middle of it all.

Well may the tankards clink, well may the wine sparkle;

"Drink up and drink again, my dear brother!"

"With this farewell toast, the only thing that departs now

is that which burns and glows within me!"

And out there at the last house,

a maiden gazes out of her window:

she would like to cover her tears

with yellow violets and rose stems.

And out there at the last house,

the lad opens his eyes

and with sorrow closes them

and lays his hand upon his heart.

"My Brother, if you do not yet have a garland,

there are many flowers waving and swaying over there.

Cheers! most beautiful girl of all,

let a little bouquet fall down here!

"My Brothers, what would a garland be to me?

I have no sweetheart as you do;

in the sunlight, it would wilt

and the wind would blow it away."

And farther and farther, with song and noise they go,

and the maiden listens a long time:

"O woe, he is leaving - that lad

that I have silently loved.

Here I stand with my love,

with roses and yellow violets;

but I would be glad to give them all away

to he who is now far away."