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Hat sich ein Kerl an mich gehängt, Der gar nicht los zu werden, Auf Schritt und Tritt sich zu mir drängt Mit äffenden Geberden. Er hat mit mir stets einen Weg, Ist auch kein Mädchenhasser, Doch geht es über schmalen Steg, Fällt lautlos er ins Wasser. Ist ein geschmeidiger Gesell In dunkelgrauem Kleide, Leichtfüßig und gedankenschnell Und thut mir nichts zu Leide. Er treibt sich rings um mich herum Und setzt sich mit mir nieder, Wenn ich ihn grüße, dankt er stumm, Droh' ich ihm, droht er wieder. Im Vollmond und im Sonnenschein Kommt er, wo ich mich zeige, Ein Spielmann aber muß er sein, Oft seh' ich seine Geige. Hat auch den echten Spielmannszug, Den freudigen, gelenken, Hebt stets mit mir zugleich den Krug Und winkt mit mir dem Schenken. Gut scheint er mit dem Wirth zu stehn, Der muß mit Kreide malen, Denn trinken hab' ich ihn wohl sehn, Allein noch niemals zahlen. Das ist nun zwar das Schlimmste nicht, Was ich ihm schelten müßte, Wenn ich nur von dem grauen Wicht Sonst noch was Gutes wüßte.
Authorship:
- by Julius Wolff (1834 - 1910), "Der graue Gesell", appears in Singuf: Rattenfängerlieder, first published 1881 [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 Hans August Friedrich Zincke genannt Sommer (1837 - 1922), "Der graue Gesell", op. 4 no. 10 (1882/83), published 1884 [ voice and piano ], from Hunold Singuf. Rattenfängerlieder nach Julius Wolff's Dichtungen, no. 10, Braunschweig, H. Litolff [sung text not yet checked]
Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- CAT Catalan (Català) (Salvador Pila) , "El company gris", copyright © 2023, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- ENG English (Sharon Krebs) , "The grey companion", copyright © 2014, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
This text was added to the website: 2010-02-25
Line count: 32
Word count: 179
A fellow has foisted himself upon me, He’s not to be gotten rid of, With every step I take he clusters round me With mocking gestures. Always he has but one thing in mind for me, He is also not a woman hater, But if my way leads over a narrow bridge, He falls into the water without a sound. He is a sleek fellow In his dark grey clothing, Light-footed and quick-witted, And he does nothing to harm me. He hovers about me And sits down with me me, When I greet him, he thanks me mutely, If I threaten him, he reciprocates. In the light of the full moon and in the sunshine He comes wherever I show myself, But he must be a musician, Often I see his violin. He also has the true features of a musician, The happy, supple [features]. He always lifts the jug at the same time I do And beckons the publican with me. He seems to be on good terms with the publican, Who must keep a tally in chalk, For I have seen him drinking, But I’ve never seen him pay. That is, however, not the worst For which I must chide him, If I only knew something else good Of the grey scoundrel.
Authorship:
- Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2014 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: licenses@email.lieder.example.net
Based on:
- a text in German (Deutsch) by Julius Wolff (1834 - 1910), "Der graue Gesell", appears in Singuf: Rattenfängerlieder, first published 1881
This text was added to the website: 2014-05-19
Line count: 32
Word count: 214