What is tinkling and singing up the street?
 You damsels, open your windows!
 The lad is leaving for the wide world,
 and they are going with him.
 
 Well may others rejoice and toss their hats 
 with many ribbons and many noble flowers;
 yet the lads do not like this custom
 and walk silent and pale in the middle of it all.
 
 Well may the tankards clink, well may the wine sparkle;
 "Drink up and drink again, my dear brother!"
 "With this farewell toast, the only thing that departs now
 is that which burns and glows within me!"
 
 And out there at the last house,
 a maiden gazes out of her window:
 she would like to cover her tears
 with yellow violets and rose stems.
 
 And out there at the last house,
 the lad opens his eyes
 and with sorrow closes them
 and lays his hand upon his heart.
 
 "My Brother, if you do not yet have a garland,
 there are many flowers waving and swaying over there.
 Cheers! most beautiful girl of all,
 let a little bouquet fall down here!
 
 "My Brothers, what would a garland be to me?
 I have no sweetheart as you do;
 in the sunlight, it would wilt
 and the wind would blow it away."
 
 And farther and farther, with song and noise they go,
 and the maiden listens a long time:
 "O woe, he is leaving - that lad
 that I have silently loved.
 
 Here I stand with my love,
 with roses and yellow violets;
 but I would be glad to give them all away
 to he who is now far away."