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Songs

Songs

Hans und Grethe (1880) no.3

Part of a series or song cycle:

Lieder und Gesänge aus der Jugendzeit

Hans und Grethe

Gustav Mahler

Ringel, ringel Reih’n!
Wer fröhlich ist, der schlinge sich ein!
Wer Sorgen hat, der lass’ sie daheim!
Wer ein liebes Liebchen küßt,
Wie glücklich der ist!
Ei, Hänsel, du hast ja kein’s!
So suche dir ein’s!
Ein liebes Liebchen, das ist was Fein’s. Juchhe!
Ringel, ringel Reih’n!
Ei, Gretchen, was stehst denn so allein?
Guckst doch hinüber zum Hänselein!?
Und ist doch der Mai so grün?
Und die Lüfte, sie zieh’n!
Ei, seht doch den dummen Hans!
Wie er rennet zum Tanz!
Er suchte ein Liebchen, Juchhe!
Er fand’s! Juchhe!
Ringel, ringel Reih’n!

Hans and Grete

English Translation © Richard Stokes

Ring-a-ring, dance in a ring!
Whoever’s happy, let him join in!
Whoever has troubles, let him leave them behind!
Whoever kisses a sweetheart,
How lucky he is!
Why Hans, you haven’t got one!
So look for one!
A loving sweetheart is wonderful. Hurrah!
Ring-a-ring, dance in a ring!
But Grete, why are you all alone?
Yet you’re glancing at Hans over there!?
And the month of May is so green!
And the breezes are blowing!
Oh just look at foolish Hans!
How he rushes to the dance!
He was looking for a sweetheart, sing-ho!
He has found one! Sing-hey!
Ring-a-ring, dance in a ring!
Translation © Richard Stokes, author of The Book of Lieder (Faber, 2005)

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Composer

Gustav Mahler

Gustav Mahler (7 July 1860 – 18 May 1911) was an Austro-Bohemian late-Romantic composer and conductor.

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Poet

Gustav Mahler

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