Far away, oh far away I am again,
Best of maidens, now from you!
My songs fade away in the distance,
Plaintively they escape from me.

Solitary I stand, all alone,
Only your image wafts about me;
This image sees it when I weep,
When the tear trembles in my eye.

If at the quiet water spring I see
A familiar flower blooming,
Then I imagine that, instead, it is
Your image standing there.

If the evening sinks
Upon meadow and grove,
Then again, I think of you, maiden;
How dearly I would love to be where you are!

I would like to tell you so many things,
[Things] that burn within my bosom!
I would like to pour out my sorrows to you,
When everything, everything flees before me!

If the moon throws its pale shimmer
Down upon the quiet meadow,
Oh maiden, then I always think
That the Godhead gave me you,

That I too have one,
Just one being that loves me,
Even if she gives me nothing but
Suffering until I go to my grave.

Oh so accept then from far away
This song with a loving glance!
Once in a while think gladly
Back to your poor friend!