Once upon a time,
Many years ago,
Lived a fair princess
Hating to confess
Loneliness was torturing her so.

Then a gypsy came,
Called to her by name,
Wooed her with a song
Sensuous and strong;
All the Summer long
Her passion seemed to tremble
Like a living flame.

Play to me beneath the Summer moon,
Zigeuner,
Zigeuner,
Zigeuner!

All I ask of life
Is just to listen to the songs that you sing,
My spirit like a bird on the wing,
Your melodies adoring,
Soaring!

Call to me with some barbaric tune,
Zigeuner,
Zigeuner,
Zigeuner!

Now you have me in your power,
Play to me for just an hour
Zigeuner.

Bid my weeping cease;
Melody that brings
Merciful release,
Promises of peace,
Through the gentle throbbing of the strings.

Play to me beneath the Summer moon,
Zigeuner,
Zigeuner,
Zigeuner!

All I ask of life
Is just to listen to the songs that you sing,
My spirit like a bird on the wing,
Your melodies adoring,
Soaring!

Call to me with some barbaric tune,
Zigeuner,
Zigeuner,
Zigeuner!

Now you have me in your power,
Play to me for just an hour
Zigeuner.