I wove a little wreath of beautiful songs,
Her name echoed in every one of them,
I wrote [her name] into the leaves and flowers
And long kept them safe in a secret shrine;
I engraved [her name] deeply into [the bark of] the dark oaks,
I loved so beautifully and had to keep silent.

In flight I followed her through the meadows,
I only wanted to see her so dearly,
My eyes were filled with floods of tears,
My heart glowed with the blaze of love.
It glowed to achieve heaven in her,
I loved so fervently and had to keep silent.

I became pale with yearning, wanted to die,
Was not interested in wooing any other treasure,
Saw resplendent little roses utterly dear and beautiful,
Walked rapidly past them and let them all be.
I could never call my heart my own,
I loved so faithfully and had to keep silent.