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Mädchen, liebes Deutsches Mädchen, Komm' an's Fenster, laß dein Rädchen, Laß die Nadel und das Fädchen, Sieh Kosaki an! Schlank auf schlankem Pferdchen sitzend, Hell in Silberwaffen blitzend, Gute Freunde flink beschützend, Singt er sich heran. Weißt? In vor'gen Jahres Mitten Kam Kosaki auch geritten, Und da ward noch heiß gestritten Mit entbranntem Muth. Liebe Mädchen weinten, zagten, Doch wir späh'ten, doch wir wagten, Bis wir all' die Feide jagten: Hei Franzus caput! Ja in mancher Kampfesreise Späht' ich auf Kosaken-Weise, Trabte still zurück und leise, Brachte Kunde fein. Dann brach Preußens [Cavallerja Rüstig vor auf Infanterja, Nahm Gefang'n' und Artillerja,]1 Ich stach hinterdrein. Und nun reit' ich lustig wieder, Berg hinauf und Berg hernieder, In das Land der süßen Lieder, Nach Tscherkaskoi's Pracht. Küß' dann, Bräutchen, küß' mich heute! Morgen zeig' ich blanke Beute, Und dann staunt die Hocherfreute, Nickt mir zu und lacht. Bald soll dich die Hochzeit kränzen, Bald in Frankenschmuck du glänzen, Und da dreh'n wir uns in Tänzen Zier nach Landesbrauch, Danken Gott, der Sieg gegeben, Lassen hoch den Kaiser leben, Fridrich Wilhelm auch daneben, Und brav Prußki auch.
Confirmed with Gedichte von Fridr. Baron de la Motte-Fouqué, Zweyter Theil, Neueste Auflage, Wien: Bey B. Ph. Bauer, 1818, pages 115-117
1 (footnote from poem) Die eigenthümliche Weise der Russen, diese Truppengattungen auszusprechen.Text Authorship:
- by Friedrich Heinrich Karl, Freiherr de La Motte-Fouqué (1777 - 1843), "Des Kosaken Heimritt" [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 Theodor Oesten (1813 - 1870), "Des Kosaken Heimritt", op. 3 (4 Lieder) no. 4 [sung text not yet checked]
Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- ENG English (Sharon Krebs) , "The Cossack's ride home", copyright © 2016, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
Researcher for this page: Sharon Krebs [Guest Editor]
This text was added to the website: 2016-02-01
Line count: 40
Word count: 185
Maiden, dear German maiden, Come to the window, leave your spinning wheel, Leave the needle and the thread, Look at Cossacki! Sitting slender upon a slender horse, Blazing in silver arms, Quick to protect good friends, He approaches, singing. You know? In the middle of last year Cossacki also came a-riding, And then there were still heated battles Fought with flaming courage. Dear maidens wept, were apprehensive, But we kept a lookout, but we were daring, Until all the foes were dispersed: Ha, Frenchies done for! Yes, in many a battle-journey I kept watch after the manner of Cossacks, I trotted softly and quietly back, Bringing fine tidings. Then Prussia's [cavalry burst forth Vigorously upon the infantry, Taking prisoners and the artillery,]1 I stabbed in the rear. And now I again ride merrily Up hill and down dale Into the land of sweet songs, Toward the splendours of Tscherkaskoi.2 Kiss then, little bride, kiss me today! Tomorrow I shall sport shiny spoils, And then the highly delighted girl shall marvel, Nod to me and laugh. Soon you shall be crowned by a wedding, Soon you shall shine in French jewels, And then we shall twirl in dances Decorously according to local custom, We shall thank God who gave victory, Shall cheer the emperor, Frederick William as well, And brave little Prussians, too.
1 (footnote from poem) The peculiar way Russians have of pronouncing these military ranks. (footnote from translator) In the German text "cavalry", "infantry", and "artillery" are rendered in peculiar spelling to poke fun at the Cossack. I did not attempt to replicate that in my translation.
2The Tscherkaskois are Tartars. Many members of the family served in high offices for the Czars of Russia.
Text Authorship:
- Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2016 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), "Des Kosaken Heimritt"
This text was added to the website: 2016-02-01
Line count: 40
Word count: 224