(From: Wittichenau)
Translated by Ed Bernthal

The turtle dove was swaying
Unafraid
Yes, unafraid.

Fluttering from one branch
To the other off and on
Yes, off and on.

True to the dear little man
She sweetly gave him loving caresses.
Yes, sweetly she.

‘Tell me, my most loved little man,
What is precious and lovely for you,
Yes, precious and lovely?’

“Yesterday evening was precious to me
When all was peaceful
Yes, was peaceful.”

“Everything was so peaceful there
A light breeze was blowing
Yes, a breeze so light.”

Under the great oak tree
There the hunters were standing
Yes, standing there.

Wickedly they shot
Him in the wings
Yes, in the wings.

Lower and lower he kept falling
Down from branch to branch
Yes, fell down.

He hit the ground with his wings,
The ground in great pain
Yes, in great pain.

He hit the ground so pitifully
That I could not bear to see it
Could not bear to see it.

You tyrants, tell me
What did the little bird do to you
Yes, the little bird?

Now all joy has left me
Very sad I now am
Yes, I now am.

I will flee to the deep forest
And mourn forever
Yes, mourn.

Before I can forget that
Silk will be made out of flax
Yes, silk out of flax.

Rosemary and thyme will
All turn into pure spice
Yes, into pure spice.


[No music available]