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Die Schwalbe fliegt, Der Frühling siegt, Und spendet uns Blumen zum Kranze! Bald huschen wir Leis' aus der Thür, Und fliegen zum prächtigen Tanze! Ein schwarzer Bock, Ein Besenstock, Die Ofengabel, der Wocken, Reißt uns geschwind, Wie Blitz und Wind, Durch sausende Lüfte zum Brocken! Um Beelzebub Tanzt unser Trupp Und küßt ihm die kralligen Hände! Ein Geisterschwarm Faßt uns beim Arm, Und schwinget im Tanzen die Brände! Und Beelzebub Verheißt dem Trupp Der Tanzenden Gaben auf Gaben: Sie sollen schön In Seide gehn Und Töpfe voll Goldes sich graben! Ein Feuerdrach' Umflieget das Dach, Und bringet uns Butter und Eier! Die Nachbarn sehn Die Funken wehn, Und schlagen ein Kreuz vor dem Feuer! Die Schwalbe fliegt, Der Frühling siegt, Und Blumen entblühn um die Wette! Bald huschen wir Leis' aus der Thür, Und lassen die Männer im Bette!
About the headline (FAQ)
View text with all available footnotesConfirmed with Gedichte von Ludewig Heinrich Christoph Hölty, Besorgt durch seine Freunde Friederich Leopold Grafen zu Stolberg und Johann Heinrich Voß, Carlsruhe: bey Christian Gottlieb Schmieder, 1784, pages 140-141.
Text Authorship:
- by Ludwig Heinrich Christoph Hölty (1748 - 1776), "Hexenlied" [author's text checked 2 times against a primary source]
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Research team for this page: Emily Ezust [Administrator] , Sharon Krebs [Senior Associate Editor]
This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 36
Word count: 143
The swallows are flying, Spring has prevailed, And is giving us flowers for our wreaths. Soon we will flit Softly out of the door And fly to the glorious dance! A black goat, A broomstick, The oven fork, the distaff, Snap us along swiftly Like lightning and wind, Through roaring winds to Brocken. Around Beelzebub Our coven dances And kisses him on his clawed hands. A bevy of ghosts Seizes us by the arm Swinging torches in the dance. And Beelzebub Promises the coven of dancers gifts upon gifts: They will be beautiful Walking in silk, And they will dig up pots full of gold. A fire-breathing dragon flies Around the roof And brings us butter and eggs. The neighbours see Sparks blowing And they cross themselves against the fire. The swallows are flying, Spring has prevailed, And flowers rival each other in blooming. Soon we will flit Softly out of the door; And leave the men in bed!
About the headline (FAQ)
View text with all available footnotesTranslation of titles:
"Hexenlied" = "Witches' song"
"And'res Maienlied" = "Another May song"
Text Authorship:
- Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2018 by Emily Ezust
Emily Ezust permits her translations to be reproduced without prior permission for printed (not online) programs to free-admission concerts only, provided the following credit is given:
Translation copyright © by Emily Ezust,
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Based on:
- a text in German (Deutsch) by Ludwig Heinrich Christoph Hölty (1748 - 1776), "Hexenlied"
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This text was added to the website: 2018-10-04
Line count: 36
Word count: 163