Now sit down by the little river
With your bright reed,
And amuse the little children by playing
The beautiful songs.

For the pleasure has faded,
There is always time for suffering:
Now sing new songs
About former happiness.

The old flowers are still in blossom,
The old brook is still babbling,
The dear sun is shining
Now as it was on the first day.

The window panes are glistening
In the clear morning light,
And behind the window panes
Is where my beloved is sitting.

A huntsman, a green huntsman,
Is lying in her arms - 
Oh, brook, how merrily you are babbling!
Oh, sun, how warmly you are shining!

I want to pluck you a garland 
Of bright clover, beloved of my heart,
And you can put it in front of the window
So that I won't see the huntsman.

I want to take rose petals and
Strew them over the mill bridge:
The bridge brought me
To you, beloved of my heart!

And if that proud huntsman
Treads on any one of those little petals,
Then, bridge, collapse
And take that green guy with you!

And carry him on his back
To the sea, with a good wind,
To a distant island
Where there aren't any girls.

Beloved of my heart, forgetting
Won't be difficult for you - 
Do you want this miller back?
He will never forget you.