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Twelve Children's Songs for Grown-ups
Song Cycle by Gary Bachlund (b. 1947)
View original-language texts alone: Zwölf Kinder-lieder für Erwachsene
Roter Ringelrosenbusch hat mein Hemd zerrissen, weißes Schnabelgänslein hat mich in's Bein gebissen. Der Busch darf nicht mehr Rosen tragen, weißes Gänslein werd' ich schlagen, roter Ringelrosenbusch, Husch, husch!
Authorship:
- by Elsa Bernstein (1866 - 1949), as Ernst Rosmer, appears in Königskinder
See other settings of this text.
Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
Researcher for this page: Malcolm Wren [Guest Editor]Red rambling rose bush has torn my shirt, white little goose with the beak has bitten me on the leg. The bush can no longer bear roses, I am going to kill the white goose, red rambling rose bush, shoo, shoo.
Authorship:
- Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2008 by Malcolm Wren, (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 Elsa Bernstein (1866 - 1949), as Ernst Rosmer, appears in Königskinder
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This text was added to the website: 2008-03-11
Line count: 5
Word count: 41
Kinderland, du Zauberland, Haus und Hof und Hecken. Hinter blauer erwand spielt die Welt Verstecken.
Authorship:
- by Detlev von Liliencron (1844 - 1909)
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Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- ENG English (Gary Bachlund) , "Childhood, you're a magic land", written 2011, copyright © 2011, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
Childhood, you're a magic land, Of house and yard and hedge rows. Behind the forest's blue walls' stand The world's hide-and-seek goes.
Authorship:
- by Gary Bachlund (b. 1947), "Childhood, you're a magic land", written 2011, copyright © 2011, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
Based on:
- a text in German (Deutsch) by Detlev von Liliencron (1844 - 1909)
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Rhymed paraphrase.Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
This text was added to the website: 2011-12-29
Line count: 4
Word count: 22
Die Raben haben Schnabelschnupfen Und scheinen gar nicht wohl zu sein. In Tücher mit und ohne Tupfen Verpacken sie sich sorgsam ein. Die Sache ist durchaus bedenklich, Wie man hier leider, leider sieht. Und auch die Kinder scheinen kränklich Und von erkältetem Gemüt. Oh, schont euch, hütet euch zu hupfen Und bleibt im Neste weich gewiegt, Dass ihr zum Rabenschnabelschnupfen Nicht auch das Krallenrheuma kriegt!
Authorship:
- by Manfred Kyber (1880 - 1933)
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Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- ENG English (Gary Bachlund) , "Ravens' beaks' sniffles", written 2011, copyright © 2011, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
Little ravens have caught colds in their beaks, And they don't know what to do. Handkerchiefs with and without spots Carefully wrap them against the flu. One watches with regret-filled regretting, As it's all such a disturbing view; The wee ones seem very sickly When they're exposed to such a flu. Listen here, take care just the same; Stay in the comfort of a nest, That your ravens' beaks' sniffles Don't become worse for not being suppressed!
Authorship:
- by Gary Bachlund (b. 1947), "Ravens' beaks' sniffles", written 2011, copyright © 2011, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
Based on:
- a text in German (Deutsch) by Manfred Kyber (1880 - 1933)
Go to the single-text view
Rhymed paraphrase.Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
This text was added to the website: 2011-12-29
Line count: 12
Word count: 77
Mir dünkt, wir geben einen Ball! Sprach Frau Nachtigall. So? Sprach der Floh. Was werden wir essen? Sprachen die Wespen. Nudeln! Sprachen die Pudeln. Was werden wir trinken? Sprachen die Finken. Bier! Sprach der Stier. Nein, nein! Sprach das Schwein. Wo werden wir tanzen? Sprachen die Wanzen. Im Haus! Sprach die Maus.
Authorship:
- by Anonymous / Unidentified Author, "Ball der Tiere"
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Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- ENG English (Gary Bachlund) , "The animals' ball", written 2011, copyright © 2011, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
"We'll give a ball, I think," Said a nightingale with a wink. "Really?" Sang the song of the flea. "What's on the menu?" Wasps asked of the venue. "Noodles!" Yelped caboodles of poodles. "What about booze?" The finches sought news. "Beer!" Bawled a bull in the rear. "Oh no! Not to swig," Prattled a pig. "Can we cut a rug?" Asked a dancing bug. "At my house!" Shouted a mouse.
Authorship:
- by Gary Bachlund (b. 1947), "The animals' ball", written 2011, copyright © 2011, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
Based on:
- a text in German (Deutsch) by Anonymous/Unidentified Artist , "Ball der Tiere"
Go to the single-text view
Rhymed paraphrase.Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
This text was added to the website: 2011-12-29
Line count: 18
Word count: 70
Das Kind ruht aus vom Spielen, Am Fenster rauscht die Nacht, Die Engel Gott's im Kühlen Getreulich halten Wacht. Am Bettlein still sie stehen, Der Morgen graut noch kaum, Sie küssen's, eh sie gehen, Das Kindlein lacht im Traum.
Authorship:
- by Joseph Karl Benedikt, Freiherr von Eichendorff (1788 - 1857), "Gottes Segen", appears in Gedichte, in 6. Geistliche Gedichte
See other settings of this text.
Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- CAT Catalan (Català) (Salvador Pila) , copyright © 2023, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- ENG English (Emily Ezust) , "The child rests from playing", copyright ©
- ENG English [singable] (John Bernhoff) , "Angels' vigil"
- ENG English (Gary Bachlund) , "God's blessing", written 2011, copyright © 2011, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- FRE French (Français) (Pierre Mathé) , copyright © 2015, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
Confirmed with Joseph Freiherrn von Eichendorff, Gedichte, Berlin, Verlag von M. Simion, 1841, page 364.
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
The child rests from playing, at the window night rustles. In the coolness, the angels of God hold their faithful watch. By the little bed they stand mutely; the morning is hardly gray. They kiss him before they go and the little child laughs in his dream.
Authorship:
- Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 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,
from the LiederNet Archive -- https://www.lieder.net/For any other purpose, please write to the e-mail address below to request permission and discuss possible fees.
licenses@email.lieder.example.net
Based on:
- a text in German (Deutsch) by Joseph Karl Benedikt, Freiherr von Eichendorff (1788 - 1857), "Gottes Segen", appears in Gedichte, in 6. Geistliche Gedichte
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This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 8
Word count: 47
Es flogen drei Enten wohl über den Rhein Mit ihren drei goldenen Schnäbelein. Die erste hieß Frau Mäs, Die andere Frau Päs, Dir dritte Frau Tricktracktrilli . Hm, hm, sprach Frau Mäs zur Frau Päs, Was hat die Frau Tricktracktrilliäs Für ein dickes Gesäß!
Authorship:
- by Anonymous / Unidentified Author
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Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- ENG English (Gary Bachlund) , "Three ducks flew...", written 2011, copyright © 2011, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
Three ducks flew over the Rhine, How their three golden beaks did shine! The first was a Missus Rather Fat, The second a Missus Double That, The third, Miss Tick-Tock-Doofus-Duck. Ha! said Rather Fat to Double That, Miss Tick-Tock-Doofus-Duck Has a butt so fat, I'm thunderstruck!
Authorship:
- by Gary Bachlund (b. 1947), "Three ducks flew...", written 2011, copyright © 2011, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
Based on:
- a text in German (Deutsch) by Anonymous/Unidentified Artist
Go to the single-text view
Rhymed paraphrase.Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
This text was added to the website: 2011-12-29
Line count: 8
Word count: 46
Der Ochsenspatz Die Kamelente Der Regenlöwe Die Turtelunke Die Schoßeule Der Walfischvogel Die Quallenwanze Der Gürtelstier Der Pfauenochs Der Werfuchs Die Tagtigall Der Sägeschwan Der Süßwassermops Der Weinpintscher Das Sturmspiel Der Eulenwurm Der Giraffenigel Das Rhinozepony Die Gänseschmalzblume Der Menschenbrotbaum
Authorship:
- by Christian Morgenstern (1871 - 1914), "Neue Bildungen, der Natur vorgeschlagen", first published 1932
See other settings of this text.
Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- ENG English (Gary Bachlund) , "New pictures", written 2011, copyright © 2011, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
The ox-sparrow, (a rather huge Bull-finch) the camel-duck, (in its feathered oasis bed) the rain-lion, (roars with moistening thunder) the turtle-toad, (has a carcase of fire red) the lap-owl, (must sit to query, "who?") the whale-bird, (beware when overhead) the jellyfish-bug, (not welcome in a jam) the belt-bull, (horned buckles to dread) the pheasant-ox, (with a pluming idiot's tail) the were-fox, (wolfs down a quadruped) the day-ingale, (sings of the morning star) the saw-swan, (snores at the river bed) the fresh-water-pug, (not a salty dog) the wine-pinscher, (a Sober-man's not bred) the storm-game, (lightning strikes out again) the owl-worm, (over "who" we might tread) the giraffe-hedgehog, (a long-necked stick in the mud) the rhinocer-pony, (horning in a rancher's shed) the goose-fat-flower, (strange at any hour) the human-bread-tree (makes a poet well fed) New pictures for a dunderhead!
Authorship:
- by Gary Bachlund (b. 1947), "New pictures", written 2011, copyright © 2011, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
Based on:
- a text in German (Deutsch) by Christian Morgenstern (1871 - 1914), "Neue Bildungen, der Natur vorgeschlagen", first published 1932
Go to the single-text view
Rhymed paraphrase.Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
This text was added to the website: 2011-12-29
Line count: 21
Word count: 137
Zwei Knaben gaben sich einen Kuß, der eine, der hieß Julius, der andere hieß Gretchen, ich glaub', das war ein Mädchen.
Authorship:
- by Anonymous / Unidentified Author
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Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- ENG English (Gary Bachlund) , "Two chaps", written 2011, copyright © 2011, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
Two chaps managed a kiss, The one, whose name was Julius, The other's name was Gretchen, And I gather, she was rather fetchin'.
Authorship:
- by Gary Bachlund (b. 1947), "Two chaps", written 2011, copyright © 2011, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
Based on:
- a text in German (Deutsch) by Anonymous/Unidentified Artist
Go to the single-text view
Rhymed paraphrase.Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
This text was added to the website: 2011-12-29
Line count: 4
Word count: 23
[ ... ]
Auf einer Lilie zittern
Zwei Tropfen, rein und rund,
Zerfließen in Eins und rollen
Hinab in des Kelches Grund.
Authorship:
- by (Christian) Friedrich Hebbel (1813 - 1863), "Ich und Du", appears in Gedichte, in 3. Vermischte Gedichte
See other settings of this text.
Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- ENG English (Emily Ezust) , "I and you", copyright ©
- ENG English (Leon Malinofsky) , "You and I", copyright © 2007, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- ENG English (Gary Bachlund) , "I and You", written 2011, copyright © 2011, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- FRE French (Français) (Pierre Mathé) , "Toi et moi", copyright © 2011, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
Confirmed with Gedichte von Friedrich Hebbel. Gesammt-Ausgabe stark vermehrt und verbessert, Stuttgart und Augsburg, J. G. Cotta'scher Verlag, 1857, page 136.
Research team for this page: Emily Ezust [Administrator] , Jakob Kellner
[ ... ]
On a lily vibrate
two drops, pure and round;
they melt into one and roll
down into the bottom of the chalice.
Authorship:
- Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 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,
from the LiederNet Archive -- https://www.lieder.net/For any other purpose, please write to the e-mail address below to request permission and discuss possible fees.
licenses@email.lieder.example.net
Based on:
- a text in German (Deutsch) by (Christian) Friedrich Hebbel (1813 - 1863), "Ich und Du", appears in Gedichte, in 3. Vermischte Gedichte
Go to the single-text view
This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 12
Word count: 68
Zwei Tannenwurzeln groß und alt Unterhalten sich im Wald. Was droben in den Wipfeln rauscht, Das wird hier unten ausgetauscht. Ein altes Eichhorn sitzt dabei Und strickt wohl Strümpfe für die zwei. Die eine sagt: knig. Die andre sagt: knag. Das ist genug für einen Tag.
Authorship:
- by Christian Morgenstern (1871 - 1914), "Die zwei Wurzeln", appears in Galgenlieder
See other settings of this text.
Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- ENG English (Gary Bachlund) , "The two tree roots", written 2011, copyright © 2011, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
Two evergreen roots, great and old, Held forth awhile in the wooded wold. That which in the tree tops sighed Would be known, the gnarled roots implied. An old unicorn was sitting near Knitting socks for them, from what I hear. Said one: Quite right. The other: Yes, quite. That's enough of that, day or night.
Authorship:
- by Gary Bachlund (b. 1947), "The two tree roots", written 2011, copyright © 2011, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
Based on:
- a text in German (Deutsch) by Christian Morgenstern (1871 - 1914), "Die zwei Wurzeln", appears in Galgenlieder
Go to the single-text view
Rhymed paraphrase.Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
This text was added to the website: 2011-12-29
Line count: 8
Word count: 56
Liebe, menschlich zu beglücken, Nähert sie ein edles Zwei, Doch zu göttlichem Entzücken Bildet sie ein köstlich Drei.
Authorship:
- by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749 - 1832), "Liebe"
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Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- ENG English (Gary Bachlund) , "Love", written 2011, copyright © 2011, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
Love, to the delight of all man, By loving brings to two, And through God's goodly plan, Creates a third; that's you.
Authorship:
- by Gary Bachlund (b. 1947), "Love", written 2011, copyright © 2011, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
Based on:
- a text in German (Deutsch) by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749 - 1832), "Liebe"
Go to the single-text view
Rhymed paraphrase.Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
This text was added to the website: 2011-12-29
Line count: 4
Word count: 22
Als ich ein kleiner Bube war, War ich ein kleiner Lump; Zigarren raucht' ich heimlich schon, Trank auch schon Bier auf Pump. Zur Hose hing das Hemd heraus, Die Stiefel lief ich krumm, Und statt zur Schule hinzugeh'n, Strich ich im Wald herum. Wie hab' ich's doch seit jener Zeit So herrlich weit gebracht! - Die Zeit hat aus dem kleinen Lump 'n großen Lump gemacht.
Authorship:
- by Wilhelm Busch (1832 - 1908)
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Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- ENG English (Gary Bachlund) , "When I was a little lad", written 2011, copyright © 2011, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
When I was just a little lad, I was quite the scoundrel too. I'd sneak cigars when home alone And sneak golden beery brew. My shirt tails trailed to my socks, My boots led me astray, And underway to classes I wandered into the woods to play. What have I done with the days now past And brought so many things? -- Time's passing has made the little brat Into the grown-up scoundrel that this song sings!
Authorship:
- by Gary Bachlund (b. 1947), "When I was a little lad", written 2011, copyright © 2011, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
Based on:
- a text in German (Deutsch) by Wilhelm Busch (1832 - 1908)
Go to the single-text view
Rhymed paraphrase.Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
This text was added to the website: 2011-12-29
Line count: 12
Word count: 76