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Müller, Wilhelm: The Organ-Grinder (Der Leiermann in English)

Portre of Müller, Wilhelm

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Der Leiermann (German)

Drüben hinterm Dorfe
Steht ein Leiermann
Und mit starren Fingern
Dreht er was er kann.
 
Barfuß auf dem Eise
Wankt er hin und her
Und sein kleiner Teller
Bleibt ihm immer leer.
 
Keiner mag ihn hören,
Keiner sieht ihn an,
Und die Hunde knurren
Um den alten Mann.
 
Und er läßt es gehen,
Alles wie es will,
Dreht, und seine Leier
Steht ihm nimmer still.
 
Wunderlicher Alter!
Soll ich mit dir geh'n?
Willst zu meinen Liedern
Deine Leier dreh'n?



Uploaded byP. T.
Source of the quotationhttp://www.gopera.com

The Organ-Grinder (English)

Way behind the hamlet
stands an organ man
and with freezing fingers
grinds the best he can.
 
Barefoot on the snowbank
swaying to and fro -
and his little plate has
ne'er a coin to show.
 
No-one comes to listen,
no-one comes to greet,
and the dogs are growling
at the old man's feet.
 
And he lets it happen,
lets it as it will -
cranking - and his organ
never staying still.
 
Strangest of the Ancients,
must I walk with you?
Will you grind my Lieders
on your organ, too?



Uploaded byP. T.
Source of the quotationhttp://myweb.dal.ca

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