Deutsch
1 Ich wollt’ ich wär’ ein Fisch,
2 So hurtig und frisch;
3 Und kämst du zu angeln,
4 Ich würde nicht mangeln.
5 Ich wollt’ ich wär’ ein Fisch,
6 So hurtig und frisch.
7 Ich wollt’ ich wär’ ein Fisch,
8 So hurtig und frisch.
9 Ich wollt’ ich wäre Gold,
10 Dir immer im Sold;
11 Und tätst du was kaufen,
12 Käm’ ich gelaufen.
13 Ich wollt’ ich wäre Gold!
14 Dir immer im Sold.
15 Ich wollt’ ich wäre Gold,
16 Dir immer im Sold.
17 Ich wollt' ich wäre treu,
18 Mein Liebchen stets neu;
19 Ich wollt' mich verheißen,
20 Wollt' nimmer verreisen.
21 Ich wollt' ich wäre treu,
22 Mein Liebchen stets neu.
23 Ich wollt' ich wäre treu,
24 Mein Liebchen stets neu.
25 Doch bin ich wie ich bin,
26 Und nimm mich nur hin!
27 Willst bessere besitzen,
28 So laß dir sie schnitzen.
29 Ich bin nun wie ich bin;
30 So nimm mich nur hin!
31 Ich bin nun wie ich bin;
32 So nimm mich nur hin!
Literal English
1 I wish I were a fish,
2 so swift and fresh;
3 and if you would come to fish,
4 I would not fail you.
5 I wish I were a fish,
6 so swift and fresh.
7 I wish I were a fish,
8 so swift and fresh.
9 I wish I were gold,
10 always in your service;
11 and if you would buy something,
12 I would come running.
13 I wish I were gold,
14 always in your service.
15 I wish I were gold,
16 always in your service.
17 I wish I were faithful,
18 My sweetheart continually new;
19 I wish that I would promise myself,
20 wish I would never go away.
21 I wish I were faithful,
22 My sweetheart continually new.
23 I wish I were faithful,
24 My sweetheart continually new.
25 But I am what I am,
26 and just accept me!
27 If you want to possess better,
28 have them carved like that for you.
29 I am now what I am;
30 just accept me like that!
31 I am now what I am;
32 just accept me like that!
Artistic English
1 I wish I was a trout,
2 just swimming about!
3 and if you went fishing,
4 I would be so willing.
5 I wish I was a trout,
6 just swimming about!
7 I wish I was a trout,
8 just swimming about!
9 I wish that I was gold,
10 more than you could hold.
11 And if you went shopping,
12 I would come hopping.
13 I wish that I was gold,
14 more than you could hold.
15 I wish that I was gold,
16 more than you could hold.
17 I wish that I’d be true,
18 my love always new.
19 I wish I could promise,
20 to never lose fondness.
21 I wish that I’d be true,
22 my love always new.
23 I wish that I’d be true,
24 my love always new.
25 But I am only me,
26 you get what you see!
27 If you wanted better,
28 you ought to go get her.
29 Right now I’m only me,
30 you get what you see!
31 Today I’m only me,
32 so take what you see!
(Translations by Austin Heinz)