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Hoch auf dem gelben Wagen Sitz' ich bei'm Schwager vorn. Vorwärts die Rosse jagen, Lustig schmettert das Horn. Berge und Wälder und Matten, Wogendes Aehrengold. -- Möchte wohl ruhen im Schatten, Aber der Wagen rollt. Flöten hör' ich und Geigen, Kräftiges Bassgebrumm; Lustiges Volk im Reigen Tanzt um die Linde herum, Wirbelt wie Laub im Winde, Jubelt und lacht und tollt. -- Bliebe so gern bei der Linde, Aber der Wagen rollt. Postillon an der Schenke Füttert die [Rosse]1 im Flug; Schäumendes Gerstengetränke Bringt uns der Wirth im Krug. Hinter den Fensterscheiben Lacht ein Gesichtchen hold. -- Möchte so [gern]2 noch bleiben, Aber der Wagen rollt. Sitzt einmal ein Gerippe Hoch auf dem Wagen vorn, Trägt statt Peitsche die Hippe, Stundenglas statt Horn -- Ruf' ich: "Ade ihr Lieben, Die ihr noch bleiben wollt; Gern wär' ich selbst noch geblieben, Aber der Wagen rollt."
Confirmed with Rudolf Baumbach Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen, Vierte Auflage, Leipzig: Verlag von A.G. Liebeskind, 1882, pages 161-162.
1 Metzig: "Ross' "2 Metzig: "gerne"
Authorship
- by Rudolph Baumbach (1840 - 1905), "Der Wagen rollt", appears in Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen, first published 1879 [author's text checked 2 times 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 Friedrich [Fritz] Kirchner (1840 - 1907), "Der Wagen rollt", op. 345 no. 3, published 1891 [ medium voice and piano ], from [Sechs] Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen für 1 mittlere Singstimme mit Pianofortebegleitung, no. 3, Berlin, Annecke [sung text not yet checked]
- by Carl Metzig , "Der Wagen rollt", op. 8, published 1897 [ male voice and piano ], Offenbach am Main: Johann André [sung text checked 1 time]
Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- ENG English (Sharon Krebs) , "The coach trundles onward", copyright © 2020, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
Research team for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator] , Sharon Krebs [Guest Editor]
This text was added to the website: 2014-01-16
Line count: 32
Word count: 140
High upon the yellow coach I sit up front with the postilion. The horses dash along, The horn sounds merrily. Mountains and forests and meadows, Waving golden wheat. -- I would fain rest in the shade, But the coach trundles onward. I hear a fluting and fiddling, A powerful buzzing of the bass; A jolly group of people in a roundelay Dances about the linden tree, Twirls like leaves in the wind, Rejoices and laughs and cavorts. -- I would so gladly remain by the linden tree, But the coach trundles onward. At the tavern the postilion Hastily feeds the horses; A foaming drink of barley brew The publican brings us in a jug. Behind the windowpanes A little face is smiling beautifully. -- I would so gladly still linger, But the coach trundles onward. When once a skeleton sits High up in front upon the coach, Carrying a sickle instead of a whip, An hourglass instead of a horn -- Then I shall call out: "Adieu ye loved ones, Who still wish to remain; I would have gladly lingered myself, But the coach trundles onward."
Authorship
- Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2020 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:
- a text in German (Deutsch) by Rudolph Baumbach (1840 - 1905), "Der Wagen rollt", appears in Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen, first published 1879
This text was added to the website: 2020-05-02
Line count: 32
Word count: 182