by Wilhelm Busch (1832 - 1908)
Translation © by Gary Bachlund (b. 1947)

Geschmacksache
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Our translations:  ENG
Dies für den und das für jenen.
Viele Tische sind gedeckt.
Keine Zunge soll verhöhnen,
Was der andern Zunge schmeckt.

Lasse jedem seine Freuden,
Gönn ihm, daß er sich erquickt,
Wenn er sittsam und bescheiden
Auf den eignen Teller blickt.

Wenn jedoch bei deinem Tisch er
Unverschämt dich neckt und stört,
Dann so gib ihm einen Wischer,
Daß er merkt, was sich gehört.

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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 (Gary Bachlund) , copyright © 2009, (re)printed on this website with kind permission


Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]

This text was added to the website: 2009-11-23
Line count: 12
Word count: 63

This for one and that for another
Language: English  after the German (Deutsch) 
This for one and that for another,
Many tables are so varied spread.
No tongue should ever try to smother
Some other tongue's sweet daily bread.

Let each one have some special bent;
Rejoice, when someone takes delight.
When one is happily quite content,
Let's gaze happily at such a sight.

But when someone is at your table
And unabashedly takes a swipe,
Give him something to make him able
To wipe away such unwelcome tripe.

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Text Authorship:

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Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]

This text was added to the website: 2009-11-23
Line count: 12
Word count: 76