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Mein junger Sohn fragt mich: Soll ich Mathematik lernen? Wozu, möchte ich fragen. Daß zwei Stück Brot mehr ist als eines, Das wirst du auch so merken. Mein junger Sohn fragt mich: Soll ich Englisch lernen? Wozu, möchte ich fragen. Dieses Reich geht unter. Und Reibe du nur mit der Flachen Hand den Bauch und stöhne Und man wird dich schon verstehen. Mein junger Sohn fragt mich: Soll ich Geschichte lernen? Wozu, möchte ich fragen. Lerne nur deinen Kopf in die Erde zu stecken, Dann wirst du vielleicht übrigbleiben. Ja, lerne Mathematik, sage ich, Lerne Englisch, ja, lerne Geschichte!
Please note: this text, provided here for educational and research use, is in the public domain in Canada, but it may still be copyright in other legal jurisdictions. The LiederNet Archive makes no guarantee that the above text is public domain in your country. Please consult your country's copyright statutes or a qualified IP attorney to verify whether a certain text is in the public domain in your country or if downloading or distributing a copy constitutes fair use. The LiederNet Archive assumes no legal responsibility or liability for the copyright compliance of third parties.
Composition:
- Set to music by Hanns Eisler (1898 - 1962), "Der Sohn II", 1942, from Hollywooder Liederbuch, no. 2
Text Authorship:
- by Bertolt Brecht (1898 - 1956), "Der Sohn II", appears in Steffinische Sammlung, in 1940, no. 6
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Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- ENG English (Sharon Krebs) , "The son II", 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: 12
Word count: 110
My young son asks me: Should I study mathematics? What for? I'd like to ask That two pieces of bread are more than one, That you will notice anyway. My young son asks me: Should I study English? What for? I'd like to ask This state will fall, and If you just rub your stomach with the flat of your hand and groan, People will understand you. My young son asks me: Should I study history? What for? I'd like to ask Just learn to stick your head into the sand Then you might possibly be spared. Yes! Study mathematics, I say, Study English, yes, learn history!
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.
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Based on:
- a text in German (Deutsch) by Bertolt Brecht (1898 - 1956), "Der Sohn II", appears in Steffinische Sammlung, in 1940, no. 6
Go to the general single-text view
This text was added to the website: 2010-10-11
Line count: 12
Word count: 112