(from Burk and Naundorf)
Translated by H. Melvin Symmank

Little Ann raked oats in the grove,
A rider came riding to her.
A rider came riding to her.

'God help you, my little Ann, here!
Should I help you rake the oats?
Should I help you rake the oats?’

"(I) mowed it without your help.
I would also rake it together all alone.
I would also rake it together all alone.”

'Ann, do not give such proud words,
You were promised to me already as a child,
When you were yet small lying in the cradle.’

‘I have rocked you with my feet
And with the hands sewed a dress for you.
And with the hands sewed a dress for you.’

The maid threw away the rake,
Crying she ran to the house.
Crying she ran to the house.

"Mother, dear mother mine.
But what have you yet done to me,
That you have promised me as a child?”

"'Be silent yet, don't cry, girl,
We will pay the horseman.
We will pay the horseman.’”

The horseman stepped over the threshold,
Mother paid out the money.
Mother paid out the money.

Paid out the red Duckats
Paid out the thick Thaler.
Paid out the thick Thaler.

'You have promised me no money
You have yes promised the maid.
You have yes promised the maid.’

"'Well then, so take her in God's name;
May she die within the year.
May she die within the year.’”

See, it was yet not a half year,
As already the maid of the horseman died.
As already the maid of the horseman died.


Attachment: The Forced Marriage.mp3 (1.1MB)
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