Songs

Maitanz im Grünen

by Gustav Mahler

If you would like to use our texts and translations, please click here for more information.

Text & Translation

Maitanz im Grünen
German source: Gustav Mahler

Ringel, ringel Reih'n!
Wer fröhlich ist, der schlinge sich ein!
Wer sorgen hat, der lass' sie daheim!
Wer ein liebes Liebchen küßt,
Wie glücklich der ist!
Ei, Hänsel, du hast ja kein's!
So suche dir ein's!
Ein schönes Liebchen, das ist was Fein's. Juchhe!

Ringel, ringel Reih'n!
Ei, Gretel, was stehst denn so allein?
Guckst doch hinüber zum Hänselein!?
Und ist doch der Mai so grün?
Und die Lüftelein zieh'n!
Ei, seht doch den dummen Hans!
Wie er rennet zum Tanz!
Er suchte ein Liebchen, Juchhe!
Er fand's! Juchhe!
Ringel, ringel Reih'n!

May dance in the countryside
English translation © Richard Stokes

Ring-a ring, dance in a ring!
Whoever’s happy, let him join in!
Whoever has troubles, let him leave them behind!
He who kisses a sweetheart,
How happy he is!
Now Hans, you don’t have one!
Then look for one!
A sweetheart is something splendid. Sing-hey!

Ring-a ring, dance in a ring!
Now Gretchen, why do you stand so alone?
Yet you’re looking in Hans’s direction!?
And is not Maytime so green?
And the breezes, how they blow!
Now, just look at silly Hans!
How he runs to the dance!
He was looking for a sweetheart, sing-ho!
He has found one, sing-hey!
Ring-a ring, dance in a ring!

Translation © Richard Stokes, author of The Book of Lieder (Faber, 2005)

Maitanz im Grünen
German source: Gustav Mahler

May dance in the countryside
English source: Richard Stokes

Ringel, ringel Reih'n!
Ring-a ring, dance in a ring!
Wer fröhlich ist, der schlinge sich ein!
Whoever’s happy, let him join in!
Wer sorgen hat, der lass' sie daheim!
Whoever has troubles, let him leave them behind!
Wer ein liebes Liebchen küßt,
He who kisses a sweetheart,
Wie glücklich der ist!
How happy he is!
Ei, Hänsel, du hast ja kein's!
Now Hans, you don’t have one!
So suche dir ein's!
Then look for one!
Ein schönes Liebchen, das ist was Fein's. Juchhe!
A sweetheart is something splendid. Sing-hey!

Ringel, ringel Reih'n!
Ring-a ring, dance in a ring!
Ei, Gretel, was stehst denn so allein?
Now Gretchen, why do you stand so alone?
Guckst doch hinüber zum Hänselein!?
Yet you’re looking in Hans’s direction!?
Und ist doch der Mai so grün?
And is not Maytime so green?
Und die Lüftelein zieh'n!
And the breezes, how they blow!
Ei, seht doch den dummen Hans!
Now, just look at silly Hans!
Wie er rennet zum Tanz!
How he runs to the dance!
Er suchte ein Liebchen, Juchhe!
He was looking for a sweetheart, sing-ho!
Er fand's! Juchhe!
He has found one, sing-hey!
Ringel, ringel Reih'n!
Ring-a ring, dance in a ring!

Composer

Gustav Mahler

Gustav Mahler (7 July 1860 – 18 May 1911) was an Austro-Bohemian late-Romantic composer and conductor. Read more about him here.

Help us with a Donation

Enjoying our texts and translations? Help us continue to offer this service to all.

Make a Donation

Select Tickets