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Vor dem Schank zum weissen Schwane Sassen einst beim Traubennass Wohlgemuth zwei Zechkumpane, Sprachen dies und sprachen das. Auf dem Bänklein an der Mauer Stand ein Glas; das Glas war leer, Und dabei in stummer Trauer Sass der Bruder Straubinger. Sprach der Erste: "Wenn ich hätte Einen Wunsch zu thun, ich wollt', Dass im weiten Donaubette Jeder Kiesel wäre Gold, Und die Kiesel müssten alle Ausgemünzt mein eigen sein. -- Bruderherz, in diesem Falle Wäre eine Hälfte dein." Sprach der Zweite: "Meine Schulden Könnte ich bezahlen bald, Wär' ein Schein von tausend Gulden Jedes Blatt im Wienerwald, Und der Rest, ich will es schwören Auf den heil'gen Leib des Herrn, Soll zur Halbscheid dir gehören. -- Bruderherz, ich thu' es gern." Straubinger in seiner Ecken Hörte zu und dachte nach, Stützte auf den Wanderstecken Sein bestoppelt Kinn und sprach, Sprach, und seine Stimme grollte In das leere Glas hinein: "Wenn ich mir was wünschen sollte, Wär' es eine Halbe Wein." Also sprach der Strassenweise[,] Wieder sass er stumm und starr, Und die Andern sprachen leise: "Bruderherz, du bist ein Narr!" Dann zum Schanktisch hin erscholl es: "Heda Meister Wirth, heran, Schenkt dem Straubinger ein Volles, Der den klügsten Wunsch gethan!"
Confirmed with Von der Landstrasse. Lieder von Rudolf Baumbach, Sechzehntes Tausend, Leipzig: Verlag von A.G. Liebeskind, 1896, pages 8-9.
Text Authorship:
- by Rudolph Baumbach (1840 - 1905), "Die drei Wünsche", appears in Von der Landstrasse. Lieder. [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 Rudolf Förster (1860 - 1894), "Die drei Wünsche", published 1891 [ bass and piano ], from Vier Basslieder, no. 4, Berlin, Glas [sung text not yet checked]
- by Wilhelm Sturm (1842 - 1922), "Die drei Wünsche", op. 36 (Drei Lieder für vierstimmigen Männerchor) no. 1, published 1884 [ ttbb chorus ], Schleusingen: Glaser [sung text not yet checked]
Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- ENG English (Sharon Krebs) , "The three wishes", copyright © 2022, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
Researcher for this page: Sharon Krebs [Guest Editor]
This text was added to the website: 2022-02-23
Line count: 40
Word count: 198
In front of the tavern To the White Swan, Drinking wine, there once sat Lightheartedly two carousing companions, Talking of this and talking of that. Upon the little bench beside the stone wall There stood a glass; the glass was empty, And by it, in mute sorrow, Sat brother Straubinger. The first one spoke: "If I had A wish to make, I would wish That in the broad bed of the Danube Every little pebble were gold, And all of the pebbles would have to be Paid out to me and be my own. -- Brother of mine, in this case, Half of them would be yours." The second one spoke: "My debts I could soon pay, If every leaf in the Vienna Woods Were a bank-note of a thousand guilders, And the rest, I am willing to swear it Upon the holy body of the Lord, Shall be divided in half and belong to you. -- Brother of mine, I do it gladly." Straubinger in his corner Listened to them and pondered, Upon his walking staff he propped His stubbly chin and spoke, Spoke and his voice rumbled Into his empty glass: "If I were to make a wish, It would be for a half-measure of wine." Thus spoke the street-smart chap[,] Again he sat mute and immovable, And the others said quietly: "Brother of mine, you are fool!" Then a cry directed toward the bar could be heard: "Hey there, barkeeper, come here, Give to Straubinger a full measure, He who made the cleverest wish!"
Text Authorship:
- Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2022 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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Based on:
- a text in German (Deutsch) by Rudolph Baumbach (1840 - 1905), "Die drei Wünsche", appears in Von der Landstrasse. Lieder.
This text was added to the website: 2022-02-23
Line count: 40
Word count: 255