A lad that has to leave his beloved
says to his lass: I stay thine,
because the heart is a small place,
there's room for one only.

But so that no other boy
slips in there,
I'll take thine heart with me
in exchange for my own.

As long as it stings and presses
and is always about to come asunder,
you will know that I have preserved
your heart faithful and true.

And I too may take this as proof
that you are still faithful to me,
for, should it sometime be at peace,
our love will have come to an end.

Therefore, lassie, think often of me,
and should it come to pass
that the heart doesn't press as it
has done before, and doesn't sting any more,

then pray for me to god, our Lord,
and don't cry,
for I shall be waiting for my lass
above in heaven, in our Father's house.