Attention! Some of this material is not in the public domain.
It is illegal to copy and distribute our copyright-protected material without permission. It is also illegal to reprint copyright texts or translations without the name of the author or translator.
To inquire about permissions and rates, contact Emily Ezust at 
If you wish to reprint translations, please make sure you include the names of the translators in your email. They are below each translation.
Note: You must use the copyright symbol © when you reprint copyright-protected material.
Die Schleiche singt ihr Nachtgebet, die Waldgeiß staunend vor ihr steht. Die Waldgeiß schüttelt ihren Bart wie ein Magister hochgelahrt. Sie weiß nicht, was die Schleiche singt, sie hört nur, daß es lieblich klingt. Die Schleiche fällt in Schlaf alsbald. Die Geiß geht sinnend durch den Wald.
About the headline (FAQ)
Authorship
- by Christian Morgenstern (1871 - 1914), "Geiß und Schleiche", appears in Galgenlieder [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 Gary Bachlund (b. 1947), "Geiß und Schleiche", 2013 [tenor and piano], from Zwölf Morgenstern-Lieder , no. 7 [ sung text checked 1 time]
- by Richard Farber (b. 1945), "Geiß und Schleiche", from Galgenlieder, no. 64 [ sung text not yet checked against a primary source]
- by Ralf Albert Franz (b. 1969), "Geiß und Schleiche", from Galgenlieder, no. 18 [ sung text not yet checked against a primary source]
- by Paul Hermann Franz Graener (1872 - 1944), "Geiß und Schleiche", op. 79 no. 9, from Nacht- und Spukgesänge. Galgenlieder nach Gedichten von Christian Morgenstern, no. 9 [ sung text not yet checked against a primary source]
- by Hans Krása (1899 - 1944), "Geiß und Schleiche", op. 1 (Vier Orchesterlieder) no. 1 [ sung text not yet checked against a primary source]
- by Rudi Spring (b. 1962), "Geiß und Schleiche", op. 19a (Galgenliederbuch, 1. Folge) no. 2 (1983/89), published 2003 [voice and piano], from Galgenliederbuch nach Gedichten von Christian Morgenstern, no. 2, München (Munich), Verlag vierdreiunddreissig [ sung text not yet checked against a primary source]
- by Ernest Vietor (flourished 1905-1930), "Geiß und Schleiche", op. 7 no. 9, from Galgenlieder, no. 9 [ sung text not yet checked against a primary source]
Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- ENG English (Emily Ezust) , copyright © 2005
- FRE French (Français) (Pierre Mathé) , "Chèvre et lézard", copyright © 2011, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
This text was added to the website: 2004-07-07
Line count: 8
Word count: 47
The lizard sings its nightly prayer, the forest goat stands astounded before it. The goat shakes its beard like some erudite scholar. [The goat] does not know what the lizard is singing - it is aware only that it sounds lovely. The lizard falls asleep shortly. The goat walks pensively through the forest.
About the headline (FAQ)
Authorship
- Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2005 by Emily Ezust
Emily Ezust permits her translations to be reproduced without prior permission for printed (not online) programs to free-admission concerts only, provided the following credit is given:
Translation copyright © by Emily Ezust,
from the LiederNet Archive -- https://www.lieder.net/For any other purpose, please write to the e-mail address below to request permission and discuss possible fees.
- a text in German (Deutsch) by Christian Morgenstern (1871 - 1914), "Geiß und Schleiche", appears in Galgenlieder
This text was added to the website: 2005-10-12
Line count: 8
Word count: 53