Gazing toward the barred window
By the bright light of the moon,
A minstrel stands with his zither
Before the Castle Dürrenstein;
Tunes his playing to a soft lay
And begins his song to the accompaniment,
For a premonition tells him softly:
"Seek faithfully, and thou shalt find!"

  King Richard, hero of the East,
Have you truly already sunk down [into your grave]?
Must your sword grow rusty in the sea,
Or are you covered by a distant grave?
Searching for you on all pathways,
Your minstrel travels without rest,
For a quiet stirring tells him:
"Seek faithfully, and thou shalt find!"

[ ... ]

  Hope, Richard, and trust!
Faithfulness guides and leads me;
And in the far-off home county
Love prays quietly for you.
Blondel is following your trails,
Margot beckons to you longingly,
A premonition tells your minstrel:
"Seek faithfully, and thou shalt find!"

  Hark! Something sounds softly, softly
Up from the dungeon,
A well-known air
Reaches Blondel's listening ear.
Like the call of the friend, a well-loved [friend],
His own song echoes back to him,
And his premonition tells him more loudly:
"Seek faithfully, and thou shalt find!"

  What he sang, he sings again,
Again it echoes back to him,
A sweet echo rings down --
It is no deception! sure good fortune!
He whom he seeks upon his travel,
Ah, his king calls back to him;
His premonition was not in vain:
"Seek faithfully, and thou shalt find!"

  He flies homeward with the tidings,
There was great sorrow and joy,
Flies back back with a noble host
And ransoms the precious king.
As a joyful circle gazes wonderingly at him,
The hero rushes toward the singer;
The song has proved itself well:
"Seek faithfully, and thou shalt find!"

The waves whisper and murmur
Above her quiet house.
A voice calls: "Remember me!
In the quiet night when the full moon is shining!
Remember me!"
And whisperingly the waves flow
Over her quiet house.
"Remember me!"