'Twas in July, in a hot time,
The fields undulated far and wide,
  The summer birds were flying.
At the moat, high up on his horse
A rider stopped in front of the king's castle
  With fiddle and bow.

And as he brightly stroked the strings,
The windows were quickly filled
  With the merry heads of maidens.
But he called out: "Where can she be?
The youngest and most beautiful one is still missing,
  With her blonde braids!"

Thereupon the drawbridge came down by the tower:
"Now dance daintily, my noble steed,
  In the courtyard she herself is already standing!"
The sun sparkled wondrously;
Her hair was waving about her shoulders
  Even more golden and yellow.

And green was the wreath and green the bouquet,
She spread out both her arms,
  Her eyes were beaming with profound happiness.
"Marie-Margret! Marie-Margret!
My heart is almost bursting into pieces,
  For here I am!  Here I am!

So put on your cloak and swing yourself up,
Leap behind me onto my horse,
  You must take leave now!"
"Beloved treasure of my heart, then hold me tightly!
Farewell, ye worthy wedding guests,
  And let your kerchiefs flutter!" --

Thereupon the chorus of maidens
Circled the couple in a round-dance
  In order to sing the marriage song;
That resounded, as everyone can imagine,
Even though the bride lowered her head,
  Of the loveliest things:

"Marie-Margret, Marie-Margret! 
It always goes as one carries on,
  Now you are caught!
Too often you stretched your neck,
Sticking your head out of the window
  When he was going past."

"Madame Mother! only a single look!
He looks so handsome sitting on his horse,
  And I've known him forever!"
Ah yes, a little glance and a glance,
And then a secret pressing of the hands:
  "Gret of my heart" and "Walther of my heart!" --

As long as life grows green and May-like,
It shall go on thus forever,
  May God give it to everyone!
The world is all too wondrously beautiful,
Where two hearts in love go
  To think of each other.

There the flowers bloom wondrously lovely,
There the surging water in the river
  Shines like pure gold;
The birds sing deep in the greenery,
Early clouds scud high in the sky
  And build many airy castles. --

Ye maidens, therefore, and young folks,
Only dare briskly and marry young,
  Before love and passion die away!
No maxim lets itself be heard so sweetly
As: Treasure of my heart, ah! hold me close!
  Adieu! The kerchiefs flutter!