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Auf schlankem Rößlein reiten Den Degen an der Seiten, Inmitten der Allee, Das wär für mich ein köstlich Metier. Und Handschuh flämischledern Und einen Büschel Federn An meinen Hut gesteckt, Darnach das Frauenvolk die Hälse reckt. Im Sattel voltigieren, Paradelang charmieren Mit Damen fein und schmal, Und »Küß die Hand« beim Abschied am Portal. Mit einer schönen Frauen Aus Bogenfenstern schauen Und nicken einen Gruß, Wenn der Soldat uns salutieren muß. Ich würd ein Trinkgeld geben Den Fegern in den Gräben Und dächte mir dabei, Wie übel dran doch so ein Feger sei.
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.
Confirmed with Hermann Hesse, Sämtliche Werke, herausgegeben von Volker Michels, Band 10 Die Gedichte, bearbeitet von Peter Huber, Frankfurt am Main: Suhrkamp Verlag, 2002, page 32.
Text Authorship:
- by Hermann Hesse (1877 - 1962), "Der Straßenkehrer", written 1895-8 [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 Victor Fenigstein (b. 1924), "Der Strassenkehrer", 1968 [ medium voice and orchestra ], from Aus deiner Jugend, no. 3, Edition Kunzelmann [sung text not yet checked]
- by Lukas Haug (b. 1921), "Der Straßenkehrer", published 1978 [ medium voice and piano ], from Hermann-Hesse-Zyklus, no. 3 [sung text checked 1 time]
Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- CAT Catalan (Català) (Salvador Pila) , "L’escombriaire", copyright © 2024, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- ENG English (Sharon Krebs) , "The man who sweeps the street", copyright © 2014, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- FRE French (Français) (Pierre Mathé) , "Le Balayeur", copyright © 2017, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
Researcher for this page: Sharon Krebs [Guest Editor]
This text was added to the website: 2014-03-31
Line count: 20
Word count: 93
To ride upon a fine-boned little horse With the dagger at one's side, In the middle of the avenue, That would be a lovely profession for me. And to have gloves of Flemish leather And a feathery plume Attached to my hat, Which the women crane their necks to see. To vault in the saddle, To flirt when on parade With ladies fine and slender, And to kiss their hand in farewell at the portal. To gaze out from arched windows With a beautiful woman And to nod a greeting When a soldier comes by and salutes as he must. I would give a tip To the sweepers in the ditches And would think to myself What a sorry lot such a sweep has.
Text Authorship:
- Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2014 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 Hermann Hesse (1877 - 1962), "Der Straßenkehrer", written 1895-8
This text was added to the website: 2014-03-31
Line count: 20
Word count: 124