I sang throughout the German lands

I sang throughout the German lands

from the Baelt to the Danube springs,

and many a ducat was placed

in the purse of the entertaining fellow.

And life was here as it was there:

with women and cool wine,

all the shining gold

had to be squandered in one night.

Thus I leave nothing on this earth

but a handful of red songs:

I scattered them in the wind

and found them again on the streets.

And when I finally lie under the heath,

upon my grave a wandering boy

will still be whistling that tune

which I once sang.