The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #140385 Message #3226379
Posted By: Joe Offer
20-Sep-11 - 10:50 PM
Thread Name: Lyr Add: Wenn alle Brünnlein fließen
Subject: ADD: Wenn alle Brünnlein fließen
You'll find this on Martha Schlamme's Smithsonian/Folkways album, German Folk-Songs (1954). Here are the lyrics and notes from the CD booklet:
WENN ALLE BRUENNLEIN FLIESSEN
Wenn alle Bruennlein fliessen, so muss man trinken.
Wenn ich mein Schatz nicht rufen darf, tu ich ihm winken.*
Wenn ich mein Schatz nicht rufen darf, ju, ja, rufen darf,
tu ich ihm winken.
Ja, winken mit den Auegelein und treten auf den Fuss (auf dem Fuss).
S'ist eine in der Stube drin, die meine werden muss.
S'ist eine in der Stube drin, ju, ja Stube drin,
die meine werden muss.
Warum sollt sie's nit werden*, ich hab sie ja so gern (ja so gern),
Sie hat zwei blaue Aeugelein, die glaenzen wie zwei Stern.
Sie hat zwei blaue Aeugelein, ju, ja, Aeugelein,
die glaenzen wie zwei Stern.
Sie hat zwei rote Waengelein, sind roeter als der Wein.
Ein solches Maedel findst du nicht wohl unterm Sonnenschein.
Ein solches Maedel findst du nicht, ju, ja, findst du nicht,
wohl unterm Sonnenschein.
When all the brooklets are flowing one has to drink.
When you can't call your sweetheart, well, then you wink.
. . . . . . . .
There is a girl within the house, who absolutely has to become mine.
. . . . . . . .
Afterall why shouldn't she become mine, since I love her so.
She has two blue eyes like stars.
. . . . . . . .
Her cheeks are redder than any wine.
I defy anyone to find another such girl in all the world.
(under the sun).
Notes: We used to sing this song whenever we went on hikes. It would always encourage us to walk briskly because of its steady rhythm and the carefree melody.
I don't completely agree with this translation, but parts are pretty good. "Wenn" is usually translated "if," and I'm surprised that this translation ignores that. Here's my attempt at translation;
1. If all the little brooks flow, Then must one drink.
If I may not call to my sweetheart, Then must I beckon to (wink at) him.*
2. Yes, beckon with the eyes and step with the foot,
She is there in the tavern/parlor, She who must be mine.
3. Why shouldn't she become mine (it),** I love her so much?
She has two blue eyes, That glisten like two stars.
4. She has two red cheeks, They are redder than wine.
Such a girl you won't find anywhere under the sun.
*"Winken" usually means "to wave" (with the hand) or "to beckon" - I've never seen it used to mean winking with the eyes.
** I don't have a good translation for "Warum sollt sie's nit werden."