Brettl Songs

My girlfriend has a black cat
With a softly rippling velvet hide,
And I, I have a bald, shiny head
Smooth and shiny and silvery bright

My girlfriend is a voluptuous woman,
She lies upon the couch all year long,
Busily stoking the fur of her cat
My god, she loves to touch that velvety fur.

In the evening, when I come to visit,
The kitty lies in her lap,
And eats honeyed cookies with her
And shudders when I gently ruffle its fur.

So when I wish, one day, to be tender with my sweet,
And so that she would cuddle with me, too -- 
I'll put the cat upon my bald pate.
Then she'll pet the cat and laugh.

The king went out for a walk,
Like an ordinary man upon a walk,
Without a scepter and without a crown
Like a common man about the town.

A strong wind began to blow,
A quite ordinary wind began to blow,
Without knowing who it was at all,
Upon the king the wind did fall.
 
It ripped the hat from off his head,
And hurtling o'er the roof it sped,
Nevermore to be seen!

There you see it!
There you have it!
I told you so!

What a joke!
One can't be a king without a crown,
Who, like ordinary men, goes up and down
Among the foolish folk.

Drummer, let your calfskin ring,
And trumpeter, let it fly,
So that they out of their beds do spring,
Murder, Michel. Murder! they'll cry.
Toot and blare, toot and blare,
Night-caps appearing everywhere.

And so happy, through the glowing
Moonlit lanes, I press,
Between two Mademoiselles going,
A launderer and a seamstress (ironer):
Little Louisa on the left, on the right Marie,
And leading the way, I musici.

But now we're near the domicile
I told you of before.
So if you would, please stop awhile,
Silent as the grave once more!
Hush and hum, hush and hum,
Softly 'round the house let's come.

My hot-tempered Henriette
Within this small cottage lies;
If roused from her sleep, I'll bet
She would scratch out all our eyes.
Hush and hum, hush and hum,
Softly 'round the house let's come.

Musicians, now play til the windows shake!
There's no more need to worry.
Thump all the old aunts 'til we make
Them to their windows scurry!
Toot and blare, toot and blare,
Night-caps appearing everywhere.

And so happy, through the glowing
Moonlit lanes, I press,
Between two Mademoiselles going,
A launderer and a seamstress:
Little Louisa on the left, on the right Marie,
And leading the way, I musici.

There on a flat paradeground
Kaspar holds the center
Up on his high horse.
A King, a duke gathered around and
On the opposite side, the public;
With the ranks bang bang bang
Marching strictly, as one.

Drinking the air awash with sunlight, 
Helmet and bayonet glittering,
Bubbling, shimmering and sparkling.
In the shadowy reviewing stand,
Bravo! Hurray! Jests and jokes.
Lighting-like glanced through opera glasses. 
Parading back and forth.

And next to me, who could that be?
Charmingly not so terribly elegant
Yet enchantingly chic.
If one were to look critically
Senses secretly heightened.
With hips moving trustingly,
Coupled with the music.

Kaspar, take what you've earned,
And what this garrison has led you to,
Protect yourself and us.
But now, my dear one
Let's hurry from the paradeground
Behind that wall there is a little place
Far from the glint and hubbub.

And there we will lie down,
I and my neighbor.
From afar, we hear "Tan-ta-ra!"
What joy to be a soldier.
What joy not to be one
When finally the two of us are quietly alone together,
etc.

Woman, don't be such a vain creature,
Don't catch yourself a butterfly.
But seek a real man,
One who can truly kiss you,
And with the power in his hands
Can build you a warm little nest.

Woman, woman, don't be foolish,
Don't run around as in a dream,
Keep watch! In case one appears,
Who might be the right man for you.
If he arrives, don't think about it for long!
Bam! Spring the trap.

Lovely woman, be wise, 
Use your beauty while it is in bloom,
Pay attention and think about it,
For, if you do not have a plan,
And stumble aimlessly through life,
You'll become an old maid.

Lovely woman, be wise, 
Use your beauty while it is in bloom,
Pay attention and think about it,
Think about it.

Miss Gigerlette 
invited me to tea
With an air like snow 
she greeted me;
She was dressed 
entirely like Pierrette.
E'en a monk would think 
Miss G lovely, 
I'll bet.

It was a red room, 
where she and I met,
A hall with golden glow 
of candles beset.
She was so full 
of life and esprit.
I'll never forget: 
the room wine red, 
flowery white was she.

In a coach and four 
did the two of us ride
Into a land known as Mirth, 
traveling the countryside.
So that we not lose 
speed, aim, or gait
The coachman, 
Love, steered 
our carriage straight.

O, how I burn with longing, 
Galathea, beautiful child,
To kiss your cheeks, 
for they are so delightful.

Please me once again, 
Galathea, beautiful child,
To kiss your tresses, 
for they are so beguiling.

Never will I be able, until I die, 
Galathea, beautiful child,
To resist kissing your hands, 
for they are so enticing.

Ah, you cannot know how I burn, 
Galathea, beautiful child,
To kiss your knees, 
for they are so enticing.

And what I would not do, you sweet 
Galathea, beautiful child,
To kiss your feet, 
for they are so tempting.

But never offer your mouth, 
maiden, to my kisses,
For its charming fullness 
I will only kiss in my dreams.

On seeing so many lovely maids
My heart beats with heat,
It hums and thrums all about,
Like a swarm of bees.
And if her flame matches mine,
Within her beautiful  clear eyes, 
Just like the blows of a hammer
Does my little heart pound.
Boom, boom, boom.

I'd wish for a thousand women,
If the gods were truly just, 
Then I'd dance around like a marmot1
This way and that,
That would be a life, in this world,
That I'd love to have.
I'd hop like a hare through the fields,
And within my heart would always beat.
Boom, boom, boom.

He that doesn't treasure women
Is neither cold nor warm
And lies like a block of ice
On a girl's arm.
But I'm another man,
I dance all around her;
And my heart beats happily against hers
And goes: boom, boom, boom.