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Von allen schönen Waaren, Zum Markte hergefahren, Wird keine mehr behagen Als die wir euch getragen Aus fernen Ländern bringen. O höret was wir singen! Und seht die schönen Vögel, Sie stehen zum Verkauf. Zuerst beseht den großen Den lustigen, den losen! Er hüpfet leicht und munter Von Baum und Busch herunter; Gleich ist er wieder droben. Wir wollen ihn nicht loben. O seht den muntern Vogel! Er steht hier zum Verkauf. Betrachtet nun den kleinen, Er will bedächtig scheinen, Und doch ist er der Lose, So gut als wie der Große; Er zeiget meist im Stillen Den allerbesten Willen. Der lose kleine Vogel, Er steht hier zum Verkauf. O seht das kleine Täubchen, Das liebe Turtelweibchen! Die Mädchen sind so zierlich, Verständig und manierlich; Sie mag sich gerne putzen Und eure Liebe nutzen. Der kleine, zarte Vogel, Er steht hier zum Verkauf. Wir wollen sie nicht loben, Sie stehn zu allen Proben. Sie lieben sich das neue; Doch über ihre Treue Verlangt nicht Brief und Siegel; Sie haben alle Flügel. Wie artig sind die Vögel, Wie reizend ist der Kauf!
Note (provided by Laura Prichard): This poem was written in 1795 as part of an intended sequel for Die Zauberflöte, as a duet for Papageno and Papagena. The song was composed on 15 August 1815 and first published in 1850.
Composition:
- Set to music by Franz Peter Schubert (1797 - 1828), "Wer kauft Liebesgötter?", D 261 (1815), published 1850
Text Authorship:
- by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749 - 1832), "Wer kauft Liebesgötter?", written 1795, appears in Der Zauberflöte zweiter Teil, first published 1796
See other settings of this text.
Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- CAT Catalan (Català) (Salvador Pila) , "Qui compra déus d’amor?", copyright © 2016, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- DUT Dutch (Nederlands) [singable] (Lau Kanen) , "Wie koopt liefdesgodjes?", copyright © 2009, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- ENG English (Laura Stanfield Prichard) , "Gods of Love for sale!, or, Who will buy these Cupids?", copyright © 2016, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- FRE French (Français) (Guy Laffaille) , "Qui achète ces dieux d'amour ?", copyright © 2012, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
Research team for this page: Emily Ezust [Administrator] , Peter Rastl [Guest Editor]
This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 40
Word count: 182
Of all the beautiful wares Brought to the market, None will please more Than those we bring you From faraway lands. Oh, hear what we’re singing And see the beautiful birds For sale! First check out the large one, The happy one, the mischievous one! He hops lightly down From tree and bush; And hops right back up again. We won’t praise him. Oh, look at the cheerful bird. He's for sale. Now look at the small one, He wants to seem thoughtful, But he’s mischievous, Just as much as the big one; He usually displays, when quiet, His very best intentions. This mischievous little bird, Is for sale. Oh see this little dove, The lovely turtledove! Girls are so dainty, Understanding and well-mannered; She likes to groom herself And encourage your love. This small, gentle bird, Is for sale. We won’t praise them, You can see for yourself. They love novelty; But regarding their fidelity Don’t ask us to give you our word; They all have wings. How well-behaved are these birds. How charming a purchase!
Translator's note for stanza 5, line 5: literally: "don’t demand letter and seal" - meaning personal assurance, similar to the English pharse, "signed and sealed"
Text Authorship:
- Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2016 by Laura Stanfield Prichard, (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 Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749 - 1832), "Wer kauft Liebesgötter?", written 1795, appears in Der Zauberflöte zweiter Teil, first published 1796
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This text was added to the website: 2016-05-17
Line count: 40
Word count: 177