De Drie Maagdekens [English translation]

We climbed high mountains

And looked towards the sea

We saw a ship go

And three damsels sat therein

This most beautiful damsel

Which was in the ship

She bade me to drink

From a clear crystal glass

What now shall I do thereof ?

Thou hast neither castle nor estate

And you are a ragged girl

So beautiful, sweet and fair

If I am a raggedy girl

One can find so many more

I'm just going to join a convent

And serve the Lord God.

Goodbye my beautiful lady

So go now into the monastery

And let me get a word when

You're going to receive your ordination

Even if it was eight days ago

That her father and mother died

One couldn't find no richer lady

In seven mighty cities

The rider had got word of it

He spoke "Go saddle my horse"

That she had to join the convent

That's what troubled me

And when he then came to the convent

He knocked with the iron ring (1)

Where is the nun that recently

Received her sacred ordination ?

And the very youngest nun

Then stepped in front of the bars

Her hair was all cut off

And she said "my courting days are over"

He gave his horse the spurs

Til he reached the green lime trees

"God, I've lost myself this day"

And thus he stabbed himself

Then two hours after noon

The nun went out for bread

And under the green lime tree

She found her handsome love dead

She kissed him and she wept

And she took him on her lap

She cried out "Oh no !"

"Dear love, now art thou dead"

Then she built a little house

Right over her dear lover's grave

And henceforth she would live in it

Until she breathed her last

• Artist:Laïs