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.
To inquire about permissions and rates, contact Emily Ezust at licenses@email.lieder.example.net
If you wish to reprint translations, please make sure you include the names of the translators in your email. They are below each translation.
Note: You must use the copyright symbol © when you reprint copyright-protected material.
Ten Morgenstern Songs
Song Cycle by Gary Bachlund (b. 1947)
View original-language texts alone: Zehn Morgenstern-lieder
Ein blonder Korke spiegelt sich in einem Lacktablett -- allein er säh' sich dennoch nich, selbst wenn er Augen hätt'! Das macht, dieweil er senkrecht steigt zu seinem Spiegelbild! Wenn man ihn freilich seitwärts neigt, zerfällt, was oben gilt. O Mensch, gesetzt, du spiegelst dich im, sagen wir, -- im All! Und senkrecht! -- wärest du dann nich ganz in demselben Fall?
Text Authorship:
- by Christian Morgenstern (1871 - 1914), "Das Lied vom blonden Korken", appears in Galgenlieder, in Der Ginganz und Verwandtes
See other settings of this text.
A blond cork reflected on himself By peering at a lacquered tray -- Alas he didn't see very much, For without eyes he had no way! Still, he would stand right straight up In hopes of that mirrored view! Of course when he was tilted sideways, He would not spoil the precious brew. O man, so frail, you see like him In all things, shall we say! And uprightly -- are you also then Useful for a time, then tossed away?
Text Authorship:
- by Gary Bachlund (b. 1947), "The Song of the blond Cork", rhymed paraphrase, copyright © 2010, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
Based on:
- a text in German (Deutsch) by Christian Morgenstern (1871 - 1914), "Das Lied vom blonden Korken", appears in Galgenlieder, in Der Ginganz und Verwandtes
Go to the general single-text view
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
This text was added to the website: 2010-02-03
Line count: 12
Word count: 79
Ohne Wort, ohne Wort rinnt das Wasser immerfort; andernfalls, andernfalls sprach' es doch nichts andres als: Bier und Brot, Lieb und Treu,- und das wäre auch nicht neu. Dieses zeigt, dieses zeigt, dass das Wasser besser schweigt.
Text Authorship:
- by Christian Morgenstern (1871 - 1914), "Das Wasser"
See other settings of this text.
The poem is headed with (Dem Dichter Franz Servaes)Without words, wordy words Running water bubbles on; Otherwise, yea otherwise It would chatter dawn to dawn. Beer and bread, love and care, -- Nothing new is said or sung. All this shows is that water knows It is best to hold one's tongue.
Text Authorship:
- by Gary Bachlund (b. 1947), "Water", rhymed paraphrase, copyright © 2010, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
Based on:
- a text in German (Deutsch) by Christian Morgenstern (1871 - 1914), "Das Wasser"
Go to the general single-text view
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
This text was added to the website: 2010-02-03
Line count: 8
Word count: 43
Wenn's mitternächtigt und nicht Mond noch Stern das Himmelshaus bewohnt, läuft zwölfmal durch das Himmelshaus die Mitternachtsmaus. Sie pfeift aus ihrem kleinen Maul, - im Traume brüllt der Höllengaul... Doch ruhig läuft ihr Pensum aus die Mitternachtsmaus. Ihr Herr, der große weiße Geist, ist nämlich solche Nacht verreist. Wohl ihm! Es hütet ihm sein Haus die Mitternachtsmaus.
Text Authorship:
- by Christian Morgenstern (1871 - 1914), "Die Mitternachtsmaus", appears in Galgenlieder
See other settings of this text.
When it's midnight and neither moon Nor stars do light the sky, Then twelve times across the heavens The midnight mouse doth fly. It squeaks with its tiny teeny mouth, -- In dreams howl the nags of hell . . . Yet calmly, gently onward goes This midnight mouse's spell. Its lord, that spirit great and wise, Leaves to it the night wind's care. Take heed then! He watches o'er The midnight mouse's lair.
Text Authorship:
- by Gary Bachlund (b. 1947), "The midnight mouse", rhymed paraphrase, copyright © 2010, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
Based on:
- a text in German (Deutsch) by Christian Morgenstern (1871 - 1914), "Die Mitternachtsmaus", appears in Galgenlieder
Go to the general single-text view
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
This text was added to the website: 2010-02-03
Line count: 12
Word count: 73
-- "Ich bin der Graf von Réaumur und hass' euch wie die Schande! Dient nur dem Celsio für und für, Ihr Apostatenbande!" Im Winkel König Fahrenheit hat still sein Mus gegessen. -- "Ach Gott, sie war doch schön, die Zeit, da man nach mir gemessen!"
Text Authorship:
- by Christian Morgenstern (1871 - 1914), "Kronprätendenten", appears in Galgenlieder
See other settings of this text.
-"I am the Count of Réamur and hate you for my shame! Celsius is used for this, for that As was your apostasy's aim!" In the corner sat King Fahrenheit And quietly supped with pleasure. -"Oh God, those days were lovely, and T'was thus, for I was the measure!"
Text Authorship:
- by Gary Bachlund (b. 1947), "Pretender to the Throne", rhymed paraphrase, copyright © 2010, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
Based on:
- a text in German (Deutsch) by Christian Morgenstern (1871 - 1914), "Kronprätendenten", appears in Galgenlieder
Go to the general single-text view
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
This text was added to the website: 2010-02-03
Line count: 8
Word count: 49
"Tapetenblume bin ich fein, kehr' wieder ohne Ende, doch statt im Mai'n und Mondenschein, auf jeder der vier Wände. Du siehst mich nimmerdar genung, so weit du blickst im Stübchen, und folgst du mir per Rösselsprung - wirst du verrückt, mein Liebchen."
Text Authorship:
- by Christian Morgenstern (1871 - 1914), "Tapetenblume"
See other settings of this text.
"I am a flower on the wallpaper's face, And repeat from here to there; While standing midst the birch leaves' green On all the walls, a bloom so fair. And yet you do not see me well enough, While sitting with me above, But gaze as if I were but some puzzle's fluff -- Have you gone mad, my love?"
Text Authorship:
- by Gary Bachlund (b. 1947), "Wallpaper flowers", rhymed paraphrase, copyright © 2010, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
Based on:
- a text in German (Deutsch) by Christian Morgenstern (1871 - 1914), "Tapetenblume"
Go to the general single-text view
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
This text was added to the website: 2010-02-03
Line count: 8
Word count: 59
Der Nachtwindhund weint wie ein Kind, dieweil sein Fell von Regen rinnt. Jetzt jagt er wild das Neumondweib, das hinflieht mit gebognem Leib. Tief unten geht, ein dunkler Punkt, querüberfeld ein Forstadjunkt.
Text Authorship:
- by Christian Morgenstern (1871 - 1914), "Himmel und Erde", appears in Galgenlieder
See other settings of this text.
The greyhound of night wails like a child, As over its pelt rains run wild. Then suddenly it hunts its Lady Moon, That slowly flees in her broken swoon. Yet worse than this image, dark with doom, Comes a bureaucrat through the forest gloom.
Text Authorship:
- by Gary Bachlund (b. 1947), "Heaven and Earth", rhymed paraphrase, copyright © 2010, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
Based on:
- a text in German (Deutsch) by Christian Morgenstern (1871 - 1914), "Himmel und Erde", appears in Galgenlieder
Go to the general single-text view
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
This text was added to the website: 2010-02-03
Line count: 6
Word count: 44
Zwei Flaschen stehn auf einer Bank, die eine dick, die andre schlank. Sie möchten gerne heiraten. Doch wer soll ihnen beiraten? Mit ihrem Doppel-Auge leiden sie auf zum blauen Firmament . . . Doch niemand kommt herabgerennt und kopuliert die beiden.
Text Authorship:
- by Christian Morgenstern (1871 - 1914), "Die beiden Flaschen", appears in Galgenlieder, in Der Ginganz und Verwandtes
See other settings of this text.
Two bottles sat together on a bench, One thick boy and one thin wench. They thought that they might wed, But who'll advise? they asked instead. Up into the sky of bluely blue They gazed while suffering like me or you . . . Ah! without advice forthcoming, They relied instead on their plumbing.
Text Authorship:
- by Gary Bachlund (b. 1947), "Both bottles", rhymed paraphrase, copyright © 2010, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
Based on:
- a text in German (Deutsch) by Christian Morgenstern (1871 - 1914), "Die beiden Flaschen", appears in Galgenlieder, in Der Ginganz und Verwandtes
Go to the general single-text view
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
This text was added to the website: 2010-02-03
Line count: 8
Word count: 54
Das Perfekt und das Imperfekt tranken Sekt. Sie stießen aufs Futurum an (was man wohl gelten lassen kann). Plusquamper und Exaktfutur blinzten nur.
Text Authorship:
- by Christian Morgenstern (1871 - 1914), "Unter Zeiten", appears in Galgenlieder
See other settings of this text.
The Perfect and the Imperfect drink Some bubbly, as their glasses clink. They toast the Future (and we think This is a bright time to which to link). The Pluperfect and Future Perfect Wink for a fine effect.
Text Authorship:
- by Gary Bachlund (b. 1947), "Under tenses", rhymed paraphrase, copyright © 2010, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
Based on:
- a text in German (Deutsch) by Christian Morgenstern (1871 - 1914), "Unter Zeiten", appears in Galgenlieder
Go to the general single-text view
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
This text was added to the website: 2010-02-03
Line count: 6
Word count: 38
Ein finstrer Esel sprach einmal zu seinem ehlichen Gemahl: "Ich bin so dumm, du bist so dumm, wir wollen sterben gehen, kumm!" Doch wie es kommt so öfter eben: Die beiden blieben fröhlich leben.
Text Authorship:
- by Christian Morgenstern (1871 - 1914), "Die beiden Esel", appears in Galgenlieder, in Ausgeschiedene Gedichte
See other settings of this text.
A grim-faced ass spoke prayerfully To his conjugal bride quite carefully: "I am so dumb, you are so dumb, We'll live our lives, then death with come." But as the tale so oft will tell: They were life-long happy, dumb yet well.
Text Authorship:
- by Gary Bachlund (b. 1947), "Mister and Missus Ass", rhymed paraphrase, copyright © 2010, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
Based on:
- a text in German (Deutsch) by Christian Morgenstern (1871 - 1914), "Die beiden Esel", appears in Galgenlieder, in Ausgeschiedene Gedichte
Go to the general single-text view
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
This text was added to the website: 2010-02-03
Line count: 6
Word count: 42
Am Morgen spricht die Magd ganz wild: "Ich hab heut Nacht ein Kind gestillt - ein Kind mit einem Käs als Kopf - und einem Horn am Hinterschopf! Das Horn, o denkt euch, war aus Salz und ging zu essen, und dann -" "Halt's - halt's Maul!" so spricht die Frau, "und geh an deinen Dienst, Zä-zi-li-e!"
Text Authorship:
- by Christian Morgenstern (1871 - 1914), "Der Traum der Magd", appears in Galgenlieder
See other settings of this text.
In the morning a maid spoke crazed and wild: "I have this night breast-fed a child -- A child with a head made out of cheese -- And a horn showing from his hair, if you please! That horn, o think, it was made of salt And went off to eat, and" -- "Halt! Hush that mouth!" said the Lady of the House, "but be You off to your work, crazed Cecily!"
Text Authorship:
- by Gary Bachlund (b. 1947), "The maiden's dream", rhymed paraphrase, copyright © 2010, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
Based on:
- a text in German (Deutsch) by Christian Morgenstern (1871 - 1914), "Der Traum der Magd", appears in Galgenlieder
Go to the general single-text view
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
This text was added to the website: 2010-02-03
Line count: 9
Word count: 69