Attention! Some of this material is not in the public domain.
It is illegal to copy and distribute our copyright-protected material without permission. It is also illegal to reprint copyright texts or translations without the name of the author or translator.
If you wish to reprint translations, please use the Reprint Basket (upper right hand corner).
Reminder: You must always use the copyright symbol © when you reprint copyright-protected material.
Wie kommen die Menschen in fröhliche Haufen Zusammen gelaufen, Und bringen sich lauter Ergetzliches dar! So Bücher, als Seide, So Flachs, als Geschmeide, So Früchte zum Leben, als Blumen in's Haar. O möcht' es mir dieses Mahl auch nur gelingen, Was Schönes zu bringen, Für Alter und Jugend zum freudigen Kauf! Doch ist für den Handel Verdorben mein Wandel; Ich brachte wohl nimmer viel Nützliches auf. Mich liebte Gesang, der erquickende, holde, Nur wußte vom Golde So wenig die Hand als der lustige Sinn. Aus schönen Geschichten Gesänge zu dichten, War einzig des gaukelnden Wand'rers Gewinn. Hier biethet ein Jeder vertrauend und offen Mit freudigem Hoffen Zum Tausche, was rüstig sein Streben gewann. Als freyere Gabe Nehmt hin, was ich habe, Und höret und preiset den fröhlichen Mann.
About the headline (FAQ)
Confirmed with Gedichte von Fridr. Baron de la Motte-Fouqué, Neueste Auflage, Wien: Bey B. Ph. Bauer, 1816, pages 69-70
Text Authorship:
- by Friedrich Heinrich Karl, Freiherr de La Motte-Fouqué (1777 - 1843), "Der Leyermann am Jahrmarkte" [author's text checked 1 time against a primary source]
Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive):
- by Hans Georg Nägeli (1773 - 1836), "Leyermann am Jahrmarkte", published 1818 [ voice and piano or harpsichord ], in Liederkranz auf das Jahr 1818, Zürich: bei H. G. Nägeli, song no. V, pages 6 -7 [sung text checked 1 time]
Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- ENG English (Sharon Krebs) , copyright © 2015, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
Research team for this page: Sharon Krebs [Senior Associate Editor], Melanie Trumbull
This text was added to the website: 2015-11-12
Line count: 24
Word count: 128
How the people come running and form A joyful crowd, And bring along so many delightful things! Books as well as silks, Flax as well as jewelry, Fruits for living as well as flowers for one’s hair. Oh if this time I could only be successful In presenting something beautiful For the aged and the young to purchase happily! But for commerce My way of life is spoiled; I suppose I never produced much that was of any use. Song loved me, invigorating, lovely [song], Only of gold my hand Knew as little as my merry spirit. From beautiful stories To create songs Was the only profit of the erratic wanderer. Here, trustingly and openly, everyone offers, With joyful hope, For trade that which he lustily achieved through his striving. As a freer gift, Take what I have, And listen to and laud the happy man.
About the headline (FAQ)
Translated titles:"Der Leyermann am Jahrmarkte" = "The Hurdy-Gurdy man at the fair"
"Leiermann am Jahrmarkte" = "Hurdy-Gurdy man at the fair"
Text Authorship:
- Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2015 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.
Contact: licenses@email.lieder.example.net
Based on:
- a text in German (Deutsch) by Friedrich Heinrich Karl, Freiherr de La Motte-Fouqué (1777 - 1843), "Der Leyermann am Jahrmarkte"
This text was added to the website: 2015-11-12
Line count: 24
Word count: 146