It was at Aßmannshausen
On the banks of the green Rhine;
I entered briskly and light-heartedly
Through the old gate.
  At Aßmannshausen there grows a wine,
  I thought that it must be the best there is,
  The wine of Aßmannshausen.

And when I came to Niederwald,
I saw Rüdesheim;
It was so merry there and so lovely
That I felt at home.
  At Rüdesheim there grows a wine,
  I thought that it must be the best there is,
  The wine of Rüdesheim.

And onward I went to Geisenheim,
There I would gladly have built my abode.
But already Johannisberg rose radiantly --
Oh star above all stars!
  Yes, console yourself, you poor wretch,
  Johannisberger wine is only poured out
  For the high and mighty!

Now tell me this, is it just
On the part of the high and mighty crew
That they keep the best wine of all
From the thirsty throat?
  The best that grows in all the land,
  To lock it up as if it were enchanted --
  Ah, how that angered me!

And if you do not give of the best,
The good remains to us still,
The better sort does not hesitate,
The best shall nevertheless come to us!
  Drink, therefore, until there isn't a drop left;
  Soon our thirst shall force the best hither,
  And shall break the yoke of the wine barrel! --