The charwoman is drunk

Hans Sommer

The charwoman is drunk

and singing in the forest;

do you hear how her voice ringing out

echoes in the countryside!

She was the loveliest flower,

famous in the land;

Rich and poor alike came courting

for her hand.

She walked with a chatelaine,

so proudly around;

but to select a groom

was too difficult for her.

Then she was tricked

by red wine -

how fleeting all things

must be!

The charwoman is drunk

and singing in the forest;

How resoundingly through the twilight

does her song echo!