Song of the women

Women, the winter is approaching;
if you want to enjoy it,
let each take a husband.

Beautiful summer with its heat
has left you completely,
and now comes treacherous winter,
enemy of nakedness.
You who live alone,
so that night may console you,
let each take a husband.

You who are well stocked with clothes,
provide yourselves against the storm,
and the one who is witless and poor
should take shelter in the hospital;
but you who have property,
so that it is handed down,
let each take a husband.

You who go on the great ice
almost dead in the centre,
suck on a sugar cane
so its sweetness may warm your stomach.
Youths, old people with good spirit
and also you who have given birth,
let each take a husband.

Women, if your bell
moves in the wind to ring,
do not forget to put
the clapper willingly,
and with the fervour of ringing
you will get warm without fail;
let each take a husband.

If you grumble at the bitter cold,
take care without fear
to drink a little oil
from the cruet every morning:
do this, which is good advice
if you have understood the real meaning;
let each take a husband.