Ring-around the rose-wreath,
Rose-wreath,
Sway up and down!
Merry is the frippery,
Frippery,
Turn this way and back again!
The maiden stretches out her finger,
The lad wishes to snatch it,
But the well-dressed dancing girl
Quickly withdraws her too hastily stretched out [finger].
If he catches her,
If he holds her,
He is permitted to sneak a kiss.

Upon the wide meadow,
Meadow,
Many flowers are blooming.
The maidens’ hands knowingly,
Knowingly,
Gather them for the game.
Petals narrow and petals thick
They pluck and chant:
Do you love me or do you not,
You whom I wish to choose?
If it happens,
You are mine,
You must wed me.

Chatterbox, twinkle toes,
Twinkle toes,
Chat, laugh, swing,
Their teeth gleam white as snow,
White as snow,
Between their red lips.
Maiden in your cheek and chin
You have the darlingest dimples,
Come, let us change back and forth
From room to room;
But now
It is occupied,
Grate, grate, little carrot!

Ring-toss and catch,
Catch,
Swing high in an arch,
Thus comes to you a bang and a fall,
A bang and a fall,
My heart, too, [comes] a-flying.
You must catch it and quickly
Let yours go,
If it billows sideways in the wind
I shall quickly grab it yet.
If you have mine,
If I have yours,
It will be just right.