Mother dear, last night the rain and the wind howled.
-- Today is the first of May, dear child!

Mother dear, there was a thundering upon Mount Brocken.
-- Dear child, the witches were up there.

Mother dear, I do not want to see any witches.
-- Dear child, it has likely already happened quite often.

Mother dear, might there be witches in the village?
-- They might well be nearer to you than that, my dear child.

Ah mother, upon what do the witches fly to the mountain?
-- Upon fog, upon smoke, upon blazing tow.

Ah mother, what do the witches ride when they are at play?
-- They ride, they ride the broomstick.

Ah mother, how the brooms swept in the village!
-- Well, there were many witches upon the mountain.

Ah mother, what made such a noise in the chimney.
-- One [witch] must have flown out of here too overnight.

Ah mother, your broom was not at home in the night.
-- Dear child, then it must have been out at Mount Brocken.

Ah mother, your bed was empty in the night.
-- Your mother was awake on Mount Brocken.