by Klaus Groth (1819 - 1899)
Translation © by Sharon Krebs

Zaunkönig
 (Sung text for setting by I. Bronsart von Schellendorf)
 See original
Language: German (Deutsch)  after the Plattdeutsch 
Our translations:  ENG
Die Katze saß im Nesselbusch
Im Nesselbusch verborgen
Da kam der kleine Zaunkönig
Und bot ihr guten Morgen.
 
Guten Morgen Mietz im Nesselbusch,
Was sitzest du hier in Sorgen?
Nicht wahr? wenn du die Flüglein hättst,
Verspeistest du mich zum Morgen.

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Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):

  • ENG English (Sharon Krebs) , "Wren", copyright © 2022, (re)printed on this website with kind permission


Researcher for this page: Sharon Krebs [Senior Associate Editor]

This text was added to the website: 2021-09-21
Line count: 8
Word count: 43

Language: English  after the German (Deutsch) 
The cat sat in the nettle-bush,
Hidden in the nettle-bush,
Thereupon the wren came out
And wished the cat good morning.

Good morning, kitty in the nettle-bush,
Why are you sitting here worrying?
It's true, isn't it?  If you had wings,
You would eat me for breakfast.

Translator's note to stanza 1, line 3: The German word for "wren" translates literally as "fence-king," hence the (slightly inaccurate) word "kinglet" in this line.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2022 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.
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This text was added to the website: 2022-04-19
Line count: 8
Word count: 48