I
I had a dozen geese,
They were a pretty flock,
Each of my dozen geese
Whiter than lady’s-smock.

Only their mother’s dark,
Speckled as willow-bark.
Only their mother’s dark,
Speckled as willow-bark.

Far from the Danube’s bank,
Where it flows fast and free,
Husband, I drove my geese;
Bring them back safe to me.

Husband, may you be drowned
And let my Geese be found;
Oh, let my geese be found,
Husband, may you be drowned.

No, poor man, no, don’t drown;
You’re not so bad, deep down.
No, poor man, no, don’t drown;
You’re not so bad, deep down.

II
Oh, sweet heaven, don’t forsake me;
So much grief will surely break me.
Though I smile, my tears keep flowing:
This is hurt beyond all knowing.

III
Woman, woman, out of my way!
I’ve been at the tavern all day.
Pots and pans and pitchers I’ll smash;
On your silly head they’ll go – crash!

Husband, husband, out of my way!
I’ve been at my spinning all day.
See how far you get if you try
With my spindle stuck in your eye!