Bess, The Landlord’s Daughter [German translation]

Over the cobbles he clattered and clashed

In the dark inn-yard

He tapped with his whip on the shutters

But all was locked and barred

He whistled a tune to the window, and who should be waiting there

But the landlord’s black-eyed daughter

Bess, the landlord’s daughter

Plaiting a dark red love-knot into her long black hair

And dark in the dark old inn-yard a stable-wicket creaked

Where Tim the ostler listened. His face was white and peaked

His eyes were hollows of madness, his hair like mouldy hay

But he loved the landlord’s daughter

The landlord’s red-lipped daughter

Dumb as a dog he listened, and he heard the robber say—

“One kiss, my bonny sweetheart, I’m after a prize to-night

But I shall be back with the yellow gold before the morning light;

Yet, if they press me sharply, and harry me through the day

Then look for me by moonlight

Watch for me by moonlight

I’ll come to thee by moonlight, though hell should bar the way.”

He rose upright in the stirrups. He scarce could reach her hand

But she loosened her hair in the casement. His face burnt like a brand

As the black cascade of perfume came tumbling over his breast;

And he kissed its waves in the moonlight

(O, sweet black waves in the moonlight!)

Then he tugged at his rein in the moonlight, and galloped away to the west