As I left my books with my friends, while

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by Bertolt Brecht (1898 - 1956)

Translation © by Sharon Krebs

Auf der Flucht

(Sung text for setting by H. Eisler)

See original

Language: German (Deutsch)

Our translations: ENG

Da ich die Bücher, nach der Grenze hetzend
Den Freunden ließ, entrat ich des Gedichts,
Doch führ ich meine Rauchgeräte mit, verletzend
Des Flüchtlings dritte Regel: Habe nichts!
 
Die Bücher sagen dem nicht viel, der nur
Auf solche wartet, kommend ihn zu greifen.
Das Ledersäcklein und die alten Pfeifen
Vermögen fürder mehr für ihn zu tun.

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Composition:

Hanns Eisler

Hollywooder Liederbuch

Text Authorship:

by Bertolt Brecht (1898 - 1956), "Die Pfeifen"

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

ENG English (Sharon Krebs) , copyright © 2010, (re)printed on this website with kind permission

Research team for this page: Emily Ezust [Administrator] , Sharon Krebs [Senior Associate Editor]

This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 8
Word count: 58

Fleeing

(Sung text translation for setting by H. Eisler)

See original

Language: English after the German (Deutsch)

As I left my books with my friends, while
Rushing toward the border, I abandoned poetry.
Yet I take my smoking paraphernalia with me, thereby
Breaking the third rule of a refugee:  Have nothing!
 
The books are not much use to someone who only
Waits for those coming to take him prisoner.
The little leather pouch and the old pipes
Can henceforth do more for him.

Translated titles:
"Auf der Flucht" = "Fleeing"
"Die Pfeifen" = "The tobacco pipes"

Text Authorship:

Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2010 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 Bertolt Brecht (1898 - 1956), "Die Pfeifen"
- Go to the text page.

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This text was added to the website: 2010-10-11
Line count: 8
Word count: 68