I walked with joy through a green wood

I walked with joy through a green wood;

I heard the birds singing.

they sang so youthfully, they sang so maturely,

those small birds in the wood!

How gladly I listened to their singing!

Now sing, now sing, Lady Nightingale!

sing by my sweetheart's house:

"Just come when it's dark,

when no one is on the street,

I will let you in."

The day was gone, night fell;

he went to his sweetheart.

He knocks so softly on the ring:

Eh, are you sleeping or are you awake, dear?

I have been standing here so long!

Even if you've been standing there so long,

I haven't been sleeping;

I let my thoughts wander:

where is my beloved,

where has he been for such a long time?

Where have I been for such a long time?

That I should like to tell you:

with beer and also red wine,

with a brown-haired maiden,

quickly forgetting you.