| Herr von Ribbeck on Ribbeck in Havelland —
|
| There was a pear tree in his garden
|
| And came the golden autumn time
|
| And the bulbs shone far and wide
|
| There darned when noon rang from the tower
|
| Ribbeck's pockets are full
|
| And along came a boy in slippers
|
| So he called: «Boy, do you want a beer?»
|
| And when a girl came, he called: «Lütt Dern
|
| If you come closer, I'll have a Berne!»
|
| It went like this for many years, until commendable
|
| Who came to die from Ribbeck on Ribbeck
|
| He felt his end, it was autumn time
|
| Again the pears laughed far and wide
|
| Then von Ribbeck said: "I'm retiring now -
|
| Put a pear in my grave with me!"
|
| And three days later, from the double-roof house
|
| Von Ribbeck carried them out
|
| All farmers and Büdner with a party face
|
| Sang "Jesus my confidence"
|
| And the children lamented, their hearts heavy:
|
| «He is dod nu. |
| Now who's going to give us a beer?"
|
| So the children complained. |
| That wasn't right —
|
| Oh, they didn't know old Ribbeck very well!
|
| The new one, of course, who skimps and saves
|
| Keeps park and pear tree strictly guarded —
|
| But the old man, already anticipating
|
| And full of mistrust of your own son
|
| He knew exactly what he was doing back then
|
| When he asked for a pear in the grave!
|
| And third year from the quiet house
|
| A pear tree sprout sprouts out!
|
| And the years went up and down well—
|
| A pear tree has long been arching over the grave
|
| And in the golden autumn season
|
| It shines again far and wide
|
| And a boy comes over the churchyard
|
| That's how it whispers in the tree: "Would you like a beer?"
|
| And when a girl comes, she whispers: «Lütt Dern
|
| If you come closer, I'll get a Bern!»
|
| So blessing still bestows the hand
|
| From Ribbeck to Ribbeck in Havelland! |