Die Lindenwirtin [English translation]

Not a drop left in my cup

And my purse, spent and empty ¹

A longing heart and a thirsting tongue

Your wine has done it to me

Your eyes shine brighter for me

Linden Hostess, young lady ²

Nothing will get chalked up

‘Cause you don’t have credit with us ³

Laughs the hostess gaily

If you don’t have any more money

Then pledge your knapsack as surety ⁴

And have another drink

The lad traded his knapsack in

For a full jug of wine

Turned as if to leave and

The hostess says, “Young man,

You still have a coat, staff, and hat

Drink and oblige yourself to me” ⁵

The wanton lad drank away his ⁶

Coat, hat, and walking staff

Sadly saying, “I’m leaving

Farewell, cool drink;

Linden hostess, young and thin,

A sight to behold”

The lovely lady spoke to him

“If you still own your heart

Lad, then leave it here for me!” ⁷

I’ll tell of what happened next:

On the hostess’s ruby lips ⁸

Burned the lips of another’s hot kiss

The one who thought up this new song

Sang it on a summer night

And the winds took it with them on their merry way

A full glass stood before him

And the hostess sat beside him

Under the booming Linden tree ⁹