by Anonymous / Unidentified Author
Translation © by Sharon Krebs

Frau Mutter Erde
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Our translations:  ENG ENG
Frau Mutter Erde ist schwer zu wecken,
Vier Monde liegt sie im Federbett
Und hüllt bequem sich in schneeige Decken,
Als wenn sie nichts zu besorgen hätt'.

Da springt Fräulein Sonne, die treulich versehen
Die ganze Wirthschaft, eifrig heran:
"Madam, ich bitte aufzustehen: 
Besuch ist da, der Frühling klopft an."

Und Mütterchen gähnt mit schläfriger Miene:
"O weh! muss es wirklich denn sein?
So bring' mir das Kleid, du weisst schon, das grüne,
Das mit den Blumenstickerei'n."

Kämm' aus dem Haar mir die welken Blüthen
Und streu mir Perlen ein von Thau,
Und um den Hals ein goldenes Kettchen
Und an den Gürtel ein Veilchen blau.

Dann führ' den Gast in's feinste Zimmer
Und knix', und sag' voll Höflichkeit:
Ich bitte schön, setzen Sie sich immer,
Die gnädige Frau sind gleich bereit."

Note: Reinecke's score indicates the source of the poem as "Gedicht aus den Papieren einer alten Dame" ("Poem from among the papers of an old lady").


Text Authorship:

Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive):

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

  • ENG English (Sharon Krebs) , "Madame Mother Earth", copyright © 2017, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
  • ENG English (Sharon Krebs) , "Madame Mother Earth", 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: 2017-07-09
Line count: 20
Word count: 132

Madame Mother Earth
Language: English  after the German (Deutsch) 
Madame Mother Earth is difficult to waken,
For four moons she lies in her feather bed
And wraps herself comfortably in snowy blankets,
As if she had nothing to look after.

Then Miss Sun, who has faithfully looked after
The whole establishment, leaps busily onto the scene:
"Madame, I beg you to get up:
Company has come, Spring is knocking."

And the dear mother yawns with a sleepy mien:
"Oh dear! must it really be?
Then bring me my dress, you know already, the green one,
Which is embroidered with flowers."

Comb the wilted blossoms from my hair
And sprinkle it with pearls of dew,
And place a golden chain about my neck
And at my waistband a blue violet.

Then lead the guest into our finest chamber
And curtsy and, full of politeness, say:
I beg you kindly, please be seated,
Madame shall be ready shortly."

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2017 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: 2017-07-24
Line count: 20
Word count: 147