In August, reaping the wheat,
We were deathly thirsty in the fields.
My heart on fire, I went
And drank, lying on my belly by the spring.
The cold water froze my blood,
And I'm dying in this autumn weather
When they're dancing by the wine vat
During the last of the fine days.
I hear the fiddles, Marie.
Go, my little one that I loved so,
I don't need anything any more.
Go dance in the meadow.
I hear the fiddles, Marie.
Join the round dance merrily
And choose a handsome boy in the circle,
And give him your loving heart.
Who'd want to be alone in this world?
Yes, I was jealous last summer
When someone else was after you,
But you don't really understand life
Until you're about to leave it.
I hear the fiddles, Marie.
Go, my little one that I loved so,
I don't need anything any more.
Go dance in the meadow.
I hear the fiddles, Marie.
And later, you'll get married,
And when the grain is tall,
With your love, two arms
Harvesting side by side one day,
Maybe you'll happen to speak,
Moved by pity, solemn and serious,
About a fellow who died in October
From the sickness he caught reaping the wheat.
I hear the fiddles, Marie.
Go, my little one that I loved so,
I don't need anything any more.
Go dance in the meadow.
I hear the fiddles, Marie.