À La Claire Fontaine

By the clear fountain
As I was walking
I found the water so beautiful
That I bathed in it

I have loved you for so long
I will never forget you

Under the leaves of an oak tree
I dried myself
On the highest branch
A nightingale was singing

Sing, nightingale, sing
You who have a cheerful heart
You have a heart to laugh
Mine is to cry

I lost my love
Without deserving it
For a bouquet of roses
That I refused her

I wish the rose
Were still on the rosebush
And that my sweet love
Would still love me