by Bertolt Brecht (1898 - 1956)
Translation © by Sharon Krebs

O schattige Speise! Einer dunklen Tanne
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Our translations:  ENG
[O schattige Speise]1! Einer dunklen Tanne
Geruch geht nächtlich brausend in dich ein
Und mischt sich mit der süßen Milch aus großer Kanne
Und dem des Räucherspecks [vom]2 kalten Stein.

Bier, Ziegenkäse, frisches Brot und Beere
Gepflückt am grauen Strauch, wenn Frühtau fällt!
Oh [sic], könnt ich laden euch, die überm Meere
Der Krieg der leeren Mägen hält!

Available sung texts: (what is this?)

•   H. Eisler 

About the headline (FAQ)

Please note: this text, provided here for educational and research use, is in the public domain in Canada, but it may still be copyright in other legal jurisdictions. The LiederNet Archive makes no guarantee that the above text is public domain in your country. Please consult your country's copyright statutes or a qualified IP attorney to verify whether a certain text is in the public domain in your country or if downloading or distributing a copy constitutes fair use. The LiederNet Archive assumes no legal responsibility or liability for the copyright compliance of third parties.

View original text (without footnotes)

Confirmed with Die Gedichte von Bertolt Brecht in einem Band, Frankfurt am Main: Suhrkamp Verlag, 1981 (Neunte Auflage 1997), page 820

1 Eisler: "Oh, schattige Kühle"
2 Eisler: "am"

Text Authorship:

Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive):

Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):

  • ENG English (Sharon Krebs) , copyright © 2009, (re)printed on this website with kind permission


Research team for this page: Emily Ezust [Administrator] , Sharon Krebs [Guest Editor]

This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 8
Word count: 60

Oh shady viands! The scent of a dark...
Language: English  after the German (Deutsch) 
[Oh shady viands]1!  The scent of a dark pine
Enters you every night with a rush,
and mingles with the sweet milk in a large jug 
And with [the scent] of the smoked bacon [from the]2 cold stone.

Beer, goat cheese, fresh bread
And a berry picked from a grey bush when morning dew is falling!
Oh, if I could only invite you - you across the sea,
Who are being held [captive] by the war of empty stomachs!

About the headline (FAQ)

View original text (without footnotes)

Translated titles:
"Finnische Gutsspeisekammer 1940" = "Finnish Farm Pantry 1940"
"Speisekammer 1942" = "Pantry 1942"

1 Eisler: "Oh, shady coolness" Note: If one considers Brecht's word "Speise" to be short for "Speisekammer", then the translation would be "Oh, shady pantry."
2 Eisler: "lying upon a"

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2009 by Sharon Krebs, (re)printed on this website with kind permission. To reprint and distribute this author's work for concert programs, CD booklets, etc., you may ask the copyright-holder(s) directly or ask us; we are authorized to grant permission on their behalf. Please provide the translator's name when contacting us.
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This text was added to the website: 2009-10-13
Line count: 8
Word count: 80