Grimmig Tod [English translation]

The grim Death with his arrow

Does aim at life.

His bow he does swiftly shoot

And won’t let himself be toyed with.

Life fades like smoke in the wind

No flesh can escape him

Neither property nor treasure finds a place at his side

You’ve got to go away with him.

No man on earth can tell us,

When we have to go away.

When Death comes a-knocking

You have to join to him.

He takes away by force the young and the old,

Does not shun anybody.

The king’s mace he’ll break off soon

And lead the round dance.

Perhaps today is the last day

That you have got to live yet.

Oh man, don’t neglect what I say

You ought to strive for virtue.

Like many a man is going to be next

So hoping for many years [yet to come]

And has today, after all,

As the sun still shines

To go down to hell.

He who has made this little song

And has sung it over again

He has often watched Death

And wrestled with him eventually.

[he] Is resting now in the hollow

It does him good

[to be] Buried deep in the ground.

Take care of your matters

You have to follow

Be it today or tomorrow.