by László Neugebauer von Aszód (1845 - 1919)
Translation by Kittie Hall
Es war die Wirthin dem Betjáren hold
Language: German (Deutsch) after the Hungarian (Magyar)
Es war die Wirthin dem [Betjáren]1 hold, Doch dieser hat die Wirthin nicht gewollt. Der Wirthin Pflegekind, 'ne junge Maid, War des [Betjáren]1 einz'ge Seligkeit. Die Wirthin baß darüber Neid empfand, Und Neid erfüllt stieß sie mit rauer Hand In Gottes Welt hinaus das arme Kind -- Im Winter war's, und eisig blies der Wind. Die Maid ging wenig Schritte vor das Thor, Da hockte sie sich nieder und -- erfror. Als dies zu Ohren dem [Betjáren]1 kam, Die Wirthin ein entsetzlich Ende nahm. Darob verfiel dem Henker der [Betjár]2; Ihm that's nicht leid, er freute sich sogar; Weil er, seitdem sein Mädchen lag im Grab, Nicht eine Pfeif' Tabak für's Leben gab.
About the headline (FAQ)
View original text (without footnotes)Confirmed with Gedichte von Alexander Petöfi. Aus dem Ungarischen von Ladislaus Neugebauer, Leipzig: Verlag von Otto Wigand, 1878, page 8.
1 White: "Betyáren"2 White: "Betyár"
Text Authorship:
- by László Neugebauer von Aszód (1845 - 1919), "Es war die Wirthin dem Betjáren hold . . ." [author's text checked 1 time against a primary source]
Based on:
- a text in Hungarian (Magyar) by Sándor Petőfi (1823 - 1849), "A csaplárné a betyárt szerette", written 1844
Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive):
- by Maude Valérie White (1855 - 1937), "Wirthin und Betyár", published 1888? [ voice and piano ], from New Albums of Songs with German and English Words, Volume 1, no. 3, London: Pitt & Hatzfeld, also set in English [sung text checked 1 time]
Researcher for this page: Sharon Krebs [Guest Editor]
This text was added to the website: 2013-09-24
Line count: 16
Word count: 115
Hostess and Betyar
Language: English after the German (Deutsch)
The hostess burn'd with love for the Betyár, But hopelessly, for he reck'd not of her. The one soft strain in all his nature wild Was his devotion to her foster child. The hostess filled thereat with envious spite, Drove forth her helpless rival one black night, A poor fair child in Gods [sic] wide world alone -- In winter 'twas, the icy wind made moan. The maid went trembling forth into the night, Then cower'd down and died of cold and fright. When news of this was spread throughout the land, The hostess perish'd by the Betyár's hand. And e'en in goal the Betyár laugh'd at death, He'd not have giv'n a rush to buy his breath[.] For since the maid he lov'd lay in the earth; Not e'en a rush to him his life was worth.
Note: White's score gives the poet's name as "Kitty Hall"
Research team for this page: Grant Hicks [Guest Editor] , Sharon Krebs [Guest Editor]
Text Authorship:
Based on:
- a text in German (Deutsch) by László Neugebauer von Aszód (1845 - 1919), "Es war die Wirthin dem Betjáren hold . . ."
Based on:
- a text in Hungarian (Magyar) by Sándor Petőfi (1823 - 1849), "A csaplárné a betyárt szerette", written 1844
Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive):
- by Maude Valérie White (1855 - 1937), "Hostess and Betyar", published 1888? [ voice and piano ], from New Albums of Songs with German and English Words, Volume 1, no. 3, London: Pitt & Hatzfeld, also set in German (Deutsch) [sung text checked 1 time]
Research team for this page: Grant Hicks [Guest Editor] , Sharon Krebs [Guest Editor]
This text was added to the website: 2013-09-24
Line count: 16
Word count: 137