The zither entices, the violin rings out,
Hurray, there's a dance in the town!
Michel swings his Lise about,
Grete is swung about by Hans.
 To twirl a girl about quickly
 Is a very good thing.
 I do not like to stand about doing nothing
 And I leap into the ring.

Katherine, the daughter of the rich sheriff
Is high-spirited and jaunty;
The rotund daughter of the miller
Is an utter darling.
 But of all the maids
 Who are up for grabs
 The one that pleases me most
 Is the dark-skinned child of the fiddler.

Take, old man, this coin of silver
And play your most beautiful piece;
Give me your hand, gypsy girl,
All you others, step back!
 Now rejoice, you violins,
 You pipes sound and ring out!
 Think maiden, the whole world
 Belongs to the two of us.

Do not look so anxious,
Open your eyes brightly!
As you are a nomad, so am I
A wandering chap.
 For my and your happiness
 The month of May created roses,
 And I and you, we two,
 Are better than our reputation.