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Q: Translation of a short German folksong ( Answered 5 out of 5 stars,   0 Comments )
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Subject: Translation of a short German folksong
Category: Reference, Education and News > Teaching and Research
Asked by: danacgm-ga
List Price: $3.00
Posted: 22 Aug 2005 06:23 PDT
Expires: 21 Sep 2005 06:23 PDT
Question ID: 558683
Can someone provide me with a English translation of the following
German folk song? (See below)

Wenn Bauern marschieren 
Wenn Bauern marschieren ist schwere Zeit,
Dann werden die schwarzen Fahnen weit,
Dann hat das Säen besorgt die Not,
Dann wird von der Mahd die Sense rot.
Wenn Bauern marschieren ist schwere Zeit,
Dann werden die schwarzen Fahnen weit.

Wenn einer uns Freie beschimpft als Knecht,
Marschieren wir Bauern um unser Recht,
Wir zünden den Herren ein Feuer an,
Darinnen ihr Hochmut verbrennen kann.
Wenn einer uns Freie beschimpft als Knecht,
Marschieren wir Bauern um unser Recht,

Und stehn wir auf, ist das Reich in Not,
War keiner bereit, der ihm Waffen bot.
Dann schreiten wir unsern Mäherschritt,
Und schneiden das Unkraut mit weitem Schnitt.
Und stehn wir auf, ist das Reich in Not,
War keiner bereit, der ihm Waffen bot.
Answer  
Subject: Re: Translation of a short German folksong
Answered By: scriptor-ga on 22 Aug 2005 12:12 PDT
Rated:5 out of 5 stars
 
Dear danacgm,

Here is a translation.

Regards,
Scriptor



When peasants are marching

When peasants are marching, times are hard,
Then the black pennants are unfolded,
Then misery has done the sowing,
Then the mowing will color the scythe red.
When peasants are marching, times are hard,
Then the black pennants are unfolded.

If someone insults us freemen by calling us serfs,
We peasants will march for our rights,
We will light a fire for the seigneurs,
In which their arrogance will burn.
If someone insults us freemen by calling us serfs,
We peasants will march for our rights.

And when we stand up, the Empire* will be in distress,
No one was ready to defend it.
Then we will walk in our mowers' step,
And we will mow down the pest plants with large cuts.
And when we stand up, the Empire* will be in misery,
No one was ready to defend it.

*the "Reich" in the German lyrics refers to the medieval Holy Roman
Empire of the Germans.
danacgm-ga rated this answer:5 out of 5 stars
Very thorough response...and so prompt.

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