The chickens scratch about the farmyard,
pecking at the scattered grains of corn.
Dark-haired peasant girls walk along
the path, their loose hair caught by the wind…
The chickens scratch about the farmyard,
while the pretty country girl draws water
from the well and sings a folk song
to Luigi who watches her from the gate!
To Luigi who watches her in confusion,
his eyes full of passion…
Poor Luigi is so in love
he’s burning up like a processional candle!
He’d like to confess his love to her,
but when he’s near her he hasn’t the courage…
She deliberately takes her time at the well,
but he doesn’t move from that gate!
He stands there stock-still, as if transfixed,
so she takes her pail and walks away…
When she’s far from her admirer,
she sings in angry tones:
“Hedge flower, amaranthus blossom…
My handsome blond, don’t just stare at me:
God gave us eyes to see with,
but he also gave us mouths to speak with!”