Long years ago the nightingale
Must surely have sung as well!
That was such a sweet sound
When we were together.

  I sing and cannot weep,
And thus alone I spin
The thread so clear and pure
As long as the moon wishes to shine.

  When we were together
The nightingale sang;
Now its sound reminds me
That you have gone away from me.

  Whenever the moon shines,
I think only of you.
My heart is serene and pure -
May God unite us.

  Since you went away from me,
The nightingale is always singing;
When I hear it I remember
How we used to be together.

  May God unite us!
Here I spin all alone.
The moon shines so clearly and purely;
I sing and want to weep.