Ay, I'm a boy from the woods,
and a girl from the woods is in love with me.
I'm a young boy,
always sneaking around in the woods.

Now, my lass, be clever
and take the boy you really like,
take a boy with some money,
then thou hast a happy life.

My lass, I know that thou lovest me,
therefore take care to stay alive;
shouldst thou become ill some day,
I shall die as well.

When the nightingale sings,
I must always think of thee,
and when the cuckoo calls
it's time for me to come to you.

Recently, when I strode through the clearing,
I saw a most beautiful roe
with two most beautiful eyes,
and I thought: Leave it alone.

But, lassie, tell me now:
when will you marry me?
I'm almost scared,
and the priest won't wait much longer.

Lassie, if you don't want me,
you'd better tell me,
so I'll be at rest;
I'll get a lot of lasses anyway.

Because I'm a boy from the woods,
and the girls like me,
and I like them too,
and therefore they all must become mine.