Der Kukuk
Language: German (Deutsch)
Einmal in einem tiefen Tal
der Kukuk und die Nachtigall
eine Wett' täten anschlagen,
zu singen um das Meisterstück:
wer's gewänn' aus Kunst oder aus Glück,
Dank sollt' er davon tragen.
Der Kukuk sprach: "So dir's gefällt,
hab' der Sach' einen Richter erwählt."
Und tät den Esel nennen.
"Denn weil der hat zwei Ohren groß,
so kann er hören desto bass,
und was recht ist, erkennen."
Als ihm die Sach' nun ward erzählt,
und er zu richten hat Gewalt,
schuf er: sie sollten singen!
Die Nachtigall sang lieblich aus;
der Esel sprach: "Du machst mir's kraus;
ich kann's in Kopf nicht bringen."
Der Kukuk fing auch an und sang,
wie er denn pflegt zu singen:
Kukuk, Kukuk, lacht fein darein,
das g'fiel dem Es'l im Sinne sein,
er sprach: In allen Rechten
will ich ein Urteil sprechen.
"Hast wohl gesungen, Nachtigall!
Aber Kukuk sing schön Choral,
und hält den Takt fein innen.
Das sprech' ich nach mein hoh'n Verstand,
und ob es gölt ein ganzes Land,
so laß ich's dich gewinnen."
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):
- by Carl Loewe (1796 - 1869), "Der Kukuk", subtitle: "Fabellied aus dem Ausbund schöner weltlicher und züchtiger Lieder", op. 64 no. 2 (1837), published 1839 [sung text checked 1 time]
Set in a modified version by Gustav Mahler.
Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- ENG English (Sharon Krebs) , "The cuckoo", copyright © 2009, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [
Administrator]
This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 30
Word count: 171
The cuckoo
Language: English after the German (Deutsch)
Once in a deep valley,
The cuckoo and the nightingale
Decided to make a wager
To see who would sing the most masterfully!
Whoever wins by merit or by luck
Shall have the glory!
The cuckoo said: "If it pleases you,
I have chosen a judge for the event."
And named the donkey.
"For because he has two big ears,
He can hear all the better
And discern what is right!"
When the donkey was told of the matter,
And informed that he had the authority to judge,
He decreed that they should sing!
The nightingale sang her piece beautifully.
The donkey said: "You make me dizzy!
I can't get it into my head."
The cuckoo too began to sing
As was his wont:
"Cuckoo, cuckoo," and laughed the while.
That pleased the donkey in his mind.
He said: "By the authority vested in me,
I will speak a judgement:
Nightingale, you sang well!
But the cuckoo sings a beautiful chorale,
And keeps the rhythm nicely.
Thus I speak according to my lofty intelligence,
And even if a whole country were at stake,
I will let you win!"
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.
Contact: licenses@email.lieder.example.net
Based on:
This text was added to the website: 2009-02-16
Line count: 30
Word count: 188
