Folk Theme
by Yehuesh (Shlomo Blumgarten)
Mother dear, mother my heart
unclasp the pearls from my neck,
the Kaiser will come riding here,
and god forbid he will want me…
Daughter darling, daughter my treasure,
don’t let your heart despair
I don’t want the Kaiser attracted to you
No jewelry may you wear…
Mother dear, mother my heart,
comb my hair and make it ugly,
the Kaiser will come riding here
and will send his runners to take me…
Daughter darling, daughter my treasure
he will not send any runners
I don’t want the Kaiser attracted to you
I’ll make your hair knotted and tangled…
Mother dear, mother my heart,
make my face smudged black with malice
The Kaiser will come riding here,
and will take me away to his palace…
Daughter dear, daughter my treasure,
Do not have any fear in your heart
The Kaiser must not desire you for pleasure
I will make your face ugly with soot…
Mother dear, mother my heart,
I cry and can’t stop the tears,
The Kaiser is riding and will soon arrive
How can I close my eyes?…
Daughter mine, daughter my treasure,
run like an arrow that flies
I fear the Kaiser will want you for pleasure
the moment he sees your eyes…