By the linden tree

As many leaves as the linden tree has,

as many blossoms as it sends forth with sweet scents,

as many lovely girls as there are to find,

when May is inscribing the roses -

ah! so many hundreds of thousands of times

do I rejoice and look down into the valley,

for in that spot by the linden tree

my sweetheart wishes to meet me today!

Alas, why am I not fair and rich?

ah, why do I have no finery or gold?

Would that I could equal my sweetheart in her beauty,

would that I could adorn myself as well as I wish!

Tell me, linden tree, o tell me,

just what we can do to appeal to her,

for I do not know how to find beauty

in myself, even by the linden tree!

Down there in the valley, where the wood path winds,

where, through the rocks the wild brook splashes,

I see her coming, blown about by the wind:

o you my life, my love, my light!

Ah, how will I ever be so rich, so rich,

ah, when will I ever know such beauty to compare

as, at that spot by the linden tree,

I have found such magnificence!