At Augsburg there stands a tall house,
Close beside the old cathedral,
Upon a bright morning, a devout maiden
Comes forth from there;
   Singing rings out,
   To the cathedral processes
   The dear figure.

There before St. Mary's holy image,
She kneels down praying,
Heaven has filled her heart,
And all earthly joy vanishes:
   "O Virgin pure!
   Let me be solely
   Thine own!"

Straightaway the dull tolling of the bell
Wakens the prayerful ones,
The maiden walks along the vaulted corridor,
She does not know what she wears;
   Upon her head, utterly
   Full of heavenly radiance,
   A wreath of lilies.

With awe all the people see
This bright little wreath in her hair,
But the maiden does not process far,
She comes to stand before the high altar:
   "Dedicate me as nun,
   Me, the poor maiden!
   Perish, love and joy!"

God grant that this maiden
Wears her wreath in peace
She is my dearest beloved,
Shall remain so until the Day of Judgement.
   She does not know it,
   My heart is breaking,
   Perish, love and light!