English translations of 5 deutsche Gesänge, opus 32

by Victor Emanuel Bendix (1851 - 1926)

1. Schlage die Trommel und fürchte dich nicht  [sung text not yet checked]
by Victor Emanuel Bendix (1851 - 1926), "Schlage die Trommel und fürchte dich nicht", op. 32 (5 deutsche Gesänge) no. 1, published 1912
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Schlage die Trommel und fürchte dich nicht, 
und küsse die Marketenderin! 
Das ist die ganze Wissenschaft, 
das ist der Bücher tiefster Sinn. 

Trommle die Leute aus dem Schlaf, 
trommle Reveille mit Jugendkraft, 
marschiere trommelnd immer voran, 
das ist die ganze Wissenschaft. 

Das ist die Hegelsche Philosophie, 
das ist der Bücher tiefster Sinn! 
Ich habe sie begriffen, weil ich gescheit, 
und weil ich ein guter Tambour bin.

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by Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856)
1. Doctrine
Language: English 
Drum up your courage and don't be afraid;
A kiss for the wench with goods to sell!
That is what learning's all about,
That's what the deepest textbooks tell.

Drum all the people from their sleep,
Use all your vigor to drum them out,
And lead the vanguard beating your drum:
That is what learning's all about.

That is what Hegel's philosophy means,
That's what the deepest textbooks tell!
I've found out the secret, smart as you like,
Because I can beat a drum so well.

Text Authorship:

  • Singable translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2009 by Peter Palmer, (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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Note: this is a revised American version of the one published with the David Blake setting.


This text was added to the website: 2009-06-10
Line count: 12
Word count: 86

Translation © by Peter Palmer