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Ich hatt' ein Vöglein, ach wie fein! Kein schöners mag wohl nimmer sein: Hätt' auf der Brust ein Herzlein rot, Und sung und sung sich schier zu Tod. Herzvogel mein, du Vogel schön, Nun sollst du mit zu Markte gehn! - Und als ich in das Städtlein kam, Er saß auf meiner Achsel zahm; Und als ich ging am Haus vorbei Des Knaben, dem ich brach die Treu', Der Knab' just aus dem Fenster sah, Mit seinem Finger schnalzt er da: Wie horchet gleich mein Vogel auf! Zum Knaben fliegt er husch! hinauf; Der koset ihn so lieb und hold, Ich wußt' nicht, was ich machen sollt', Und stund, im Herzen so erschreckt, Mit Händen mein Gesichte deckt', Und schlich davon und weinet' sehr, Ich hört' ihn rufen hinterher: "Du falsche Maid, behüt' dich Gott, Ich hab' doch wieder mein Herzlein rot!"
About the headline (FAQ)
Text Authorship:
- by Eduard Mörike (1804 - 1875), "Suschens Vogel" [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 Hugo Distler (1908 - 1942), "Suschens Vogel", op. 19 (Mörike-Chorliederbuch), Heft 1 no. 8 (1939) [ chorus ] [sung text checked 1 time]
- by Hugo Distler (1908 - 1942), "Suschens Vogel", op. 19 (Mörike-Chorliederbuch), Heft 1 no. 16 (1939) [ chorus ] [sung text checked 1 time]
- by (Leopold) Heinrich (Picot de Peccaduc), Freiherr von Herzogenberg (1843 - 1900), "Das Vöglein", op. 26 ([Acht] Lieder und Romanzen für vierstimmigen Frauenchor a capella, oder mit Begleitung des Pianoforte) no. 3, published 1879 [ four-part women's chorus a cappella (or with piano) ], Leipzig, Rieter-Biedermann [sung text not yet checked]
- by Franz von Holstein (1826 - 1878), "Das Vöglein", op. 25 (Sechs Lieder und Romanzen für zwei Frauenstimmen mit Pianoforte) no. 1, published 1892 [ vocal duet for 2 female voices with piano ], Leipzig, Fritzsch [sung text not yet checked]
- by August Püringer , "Suschen's Vogel", op. 4 (3 Gedichte für 1 Singstimme mit Pianoforte), published 1899 [ voice and piano ], Leipzig, Fritzsch [sung text not yet checked]
- by Wolfgang Ulrich (1924 - 1995), "Sus'chen" [sung text not yet checked]
- by Hugo Wolf (1860 - 1903), "Suschens Vogel", 1880 [sung text checked 1 time]
Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- ENG English (Michael P Rosewall) , copyright © 2023, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
Researcher for this page: Alberto Pedrotti
This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 22
Word count: 141
I had a little bird, oh how fine! No more beautiful one could there be: He had a little red heart on his chest, And sang and sang himself almost to death. You heart-bird, you pretty bird, Now you’ll come with me to the market! And as I made my way to the village, He sat tamely on my shoulder; And when I passed the house Of the boy to whom I didn’t remain true, The youth peeked out of the window, And then snapped his fingers: And how well my bird listened! He flew away, whoosh! To the lad; He petted it so lovingly and gently, I didn’t know what I should do, And stood there, my heart beating wildly, Holding my face with my hands, And then I crept away and wept bitterly, I heard him call after me: “You false maid, may God protect you, I now have my little red heart once more!”
About the headline (FAQ)
Translations of title(s):
"Das Vöglein" = "The Little Bird"
"Sus'chen" = "Suschen"
"Suschens Vogel" = "Suschens Vogel*"
Text Authorship:
- Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2023 by Michael P Rosewall, (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 Eduard Mörike (1804 - 1875), "Suschens Vogel"
This text was added to the website: 2023-01-26
Line count: 22
Word count: 157