Dat is nu all lang heer, wol twe dusend Johr,
Long ago, at least two thousand years,
They better not say "gottlos" in this one... By the way, if you know Hochdeutsch, it could be a little struggle to read this, but you should be able to do it.
do wöör dar en ryk Mann, de hadd ene schöne frame Fru, un se hadden sik beyde sehr leef, hadden awerst kene Kinner, se wünschden sik awerst sehr welke, un de Fru bedd'd so veel dorüm Dag un Nacht, man se kregen keen un kregen keen.
there was a rich man who had a beautiful and pious wife, and they loved each other dearly. However, they had no children, though they wished very much to have some, and the woman prayed for them day and night, but they didn't get any, and they didn't get any.
And it sounded better auf Deutsch and it sounded better auf Deutsch
Vör erem Huse wöör en Hof, dorup stünn en Machandelboom, ünner dem stünn de Fru eens im Winter un schelld sik enen Appel, un as se sik [261] den Appel so schelld, so sneet se sik in'n Finger, un dat Blood feel in den Snee. »Ach,« säd de Fru, un süft'd so recht hoog up, un seg dat Blood vör sik an, un wöör so recht wehmödig, »hadd ik doch en Kind, so rood as Blood un so witt as Snee.« Un as se dat säd, so wurr ehr so recht fröhlich to Mode: ehr wöör recht, as schull dat wat warden.
In front of their house there was a courtyard where there stood a juniper tree. One day in winter the woman was standing beneath it, peeling herself an apple, and while she was thus peeling the apple, she cut her finger, and the blood fell into the snow.
"Oh," said the woman. She sighed heavily, looked at the blood before her, and was most unhappy. "If only I had a child as red as blood and as white as snow." And as she said that, she became quite contented, and felt sure that it was going to happen.
Sound familiar?
Do güng se to dem Huse, un't güng een Maand hen, de Snee vorgüng: un twe Maand, do wöör dat gröön: und dre Maand, do kömen de Blömer uut der Eerd: un veer Maand, do drungen sik alle Bömer in dat Holt, un de grönen Twyge wören all in eenanner wussen: door süngen de Vögelkens, dat dat ganße Holt schalld, un de Blöiten felen von den Bömern: do wörr de fofte Maand wech, un se stünn ünner dem Machandelboom, de röök so schön, do sprüng ehr dat Hart vör Freuden, un se füll up ere Knee un kunn sik nich laten: un as de soste Maand vorby wöör, do wurren de Früchte dick un staark, do wurr se ganß still: un de söwde Maand, do greep se na den Machandelbeeren un eet se so nydsch, do wurr se trurig un krank: do güng de achte Maand hen, un se reep eren Mann un weend un säd »wenn ik staarw, so begraaf my ünner den Machandelboom.« Do wurr se ganß getrost, un freude sik, bet de neegte Maand vorby wöör, do kreeg se en Kind so witt as Snee un so rood as Blood, un as se dat seeg, so freude se sik so, dat se stürw.
Then she went into the house, and a month went by, and the snow was gone. And two months, and everything was green. And three months, and all the flowers came out of the earth. And four months, and all the trees in the woods grew thicker, and the green branches were all entwined in one another, and the birds sang until the woods resounded and the blossoms fell from the trees.
Then the fifth month passed, and she stood beneath the juniper tree, which smelled so sweet that her heart jumped for joy, and she fell on her knees and was beside herself. And when the sixth month was over, the fruit was thick and large, and then she was quite still. And after the seventh month she picked the juniper berries and ate them greedily. Then she grew sick and sorrowful. Then the eighth month passed, and she called her husband to her, and cried, and said, "If I die, then bury me beneath the juniper tree." Then she was quite comforted and happy until the next month was over, and then she had a child as white as snow and as red as blood, and when she saw it, she was so happy that she died.
Oh, this sounds so familiar. I wonder where it's from. Maybe I'll look at last post. (My sarcasm is irritating you, isn't it?)
Do begroof ehr Mann se ünner den Machandelboom, un he füng an to wenen so sehr: ene Tyd lang, do wurr dat wat sachter, un do he noch wat weend hadd, do hüll he up, un noch en Tyd, do nöhm he sik wedder ene Fru.
Her husband buried her beneath the juniper tree, and he began to cry bitterly. After some time he was more at ease, and although he still cried, he could bear it. And some time later he took another wife.
That was fast, just like the last one...
Mit de tweden Fru kreeg he ene Dochter, dat Kind awerst von der eersten Fru wöör en lüttje Sähn, un wöör so rood as Blood un so witt as Snee. Wenn de Fru ere Dochter so anseeg, so hadd se se so leef, awerst denn seeg se den lüttjen Jung an, un dat güng ehr so dorch't Hart, un ehr düchd, as stünn he ehr allerwegen im Weg, un dachd denn man jümmer, wo se ehr Dochter all dat Vörmägent towenden wull,
He had a daughter by the second wife, but the first wife's child was a little son, and he was as red as blood and as white as snow. When the woman looked at her daughter, she loved her very much, but then she looked at the little boy, and it pierced her heart, for she thought that he would always stand in her way, and she was always thinking how she could get the entire inheritance for her daughter.
When I first read this, this part confused me, but now I realize that the daughter is her daughter and the boy is the stepson, and he is the fair one. By the way, apparently at that time some people thought "if it isn't your own blood, it doesn't matter, which explains a lot of the stepmother stories.
un de Böse gaf ehr dat in, dat se dem lüttjen Jung ganß gramm wurr un stödd em herüm von een Eck in de anner, un buffd em hier un knuffd em door, so dat dat aarme Kind jümmer [262] in Angst wöör. Wenn he denn uut de School köhm, so hadd he kene ruhige Städ.
And the Evil One filled her mind with this until she grew very angry with the little boy, and she pushed him from one corner to the other and slapped him here and cuffed him there, until the poor child was always afraid, for when he came home from school there was nowhere he could find any peace.
Just like Snow White, only Snow White didn't talk about "the Evil One" and it's a boy, a nameless boy at that matter...
Eens wöör de Fru up de Kamer gaan, do köhm de lüttje Dochter ook herup un säd »Moder, gif my enen Appel.« »Ja, myn Kind,« säd de Fru un gaf ehr enen schönen Appel uut der Kist; de Kist awerst hadd einen grooten sworen Deckel mit en groot schaarp ysern Slott.
One day the woman had gone upstairs to her room, when her little daughter came up too, and said, "Mother, give me an apple."
"Yes, my child," said the woman, and gave her a beautiful apple out of the chest. The chest had a large heavy lid with a large sharp iron lock.
Now, I wonder why they would specify that?
»Moder,« säd de lüttje Dochter, »schall Broder nich ook enen hebben?« Dat vördrööt de Fru, doch säd se »ja, wenn he uut de School kummt.« Un as se uut dat Fenster wohr wurr, dat he köhm, so wöör dat recht, as wenn de Böse äwer ehr köhm, un se grappst to un nöhm erer Dochter den Appel wedder wech und säd »du schalst nich ehr enen hebben as Broder.« Do smeet se den Appel in de Kist un maakd de Kist to: do köhm de lüttje Jung in de Döhr, do gaf ehr de Böse in, dat se fründlich to em säd »myn Sähn, wullt du enen Appel hebben?« un seeg em so hastig an. »Moder,« säd de lüttje Jung, »wat sühst du gräsig uut! ja, gif my enen Appel.«
"Mother," said the little daughter, "is brother not to have one too?"
This made the woman angry, but she said, "Yes, when he comes home from school."
When from the window she saw him coming, it was as though the Evil One came over her, and she grabbed the apple and took it away from her daughter, saying, "You shall not have one before your brother."
She threw the apple into the chest, and shut it. Then the little boy came in the door, and the Evil One made her say to him kindly, "My son, do you want an apple?" And she looked at him fiercely.
"Mother," said the little boy, "how angry you look. Yes, give me an apple."
Should he take the apple if she looks angry?
Do wöör ehr, as schull se em toreden. »Kumm mit my,« säd se un maakd den Deckel up, »hahl dy enen. Appel heruut.« Un as sik de lüttje Jung henin bückd, so reet ehr de Böse, bratsch! slöögt se den Deckel to, dat de Kopp afflöög un ünner de [263] roden Appel füll.
Then it seemed to her as if she had to persuade him. "Come with me," she said, opening the lid of the chest. "Take out an apple for yourself." And while the little boy was leaning over, the Evil One prompted her, and crash! she slammed down the lid, and his head flew off, falling among the red apples.
Bet you've never seen that happen in a fairy tale, a lock so sharp it could somehow cut through one's spinal cord. If you're wondering if I'm always this gruesome, it's only when I read this kind of stories.
Da äwerleep ehr dat in de Angst, un dachd »kunn ich dat von my bringen!« Da güng se bawen na ere Stuw na erem Draagkasten un hahl uut de bäwelste Schuuflad enen witten Dook, un sett't den Kopp wedder up den Hals un bünd den Halsdook so üm, dat'n niks sehn kunn, un sett't em vör de Döhr up enen Stohl un gaf em den Appel in de Hand.
Then fear overcame her, and she thought, "Maybe I can get out of this." So she went upstairs to her room to her chest of drawers, and took a white scarf out of the top drawer, and set the head on the neck again, tying the scarf around it so that nothing could be seen. Then she set him on a chair in front of the door and put the apple in his hand.
Who would be fooled by that!?
Do köhm doorna Marleenken to erer Moder in de Kääk, de stünn by dem Führ un hadd enen Putt mit heet Water vör sik, den röhrd se jümmer üm. »Moder,« säd Marleenken, »Broder sitt vör de Döhr un süht ganz witt uut un hett enen Appel in de Hand, ik heb em beden, he schull my den Appel gewen, awerst he antwöörd my nich, do wurr my ganß grolich.«
After this Marlene came into the kitchen to her mother, who was standing by the fire with a pot of hot water before her which she was stirring around and around.
"Mother," said Marlene, "brother is sitting at the door, and he looks totally white and has an apple in his hand. I asked him to give me the apple, but he did not answer me, and I was very frightened."
Just say this out loud in a timid voice, it is strangely funny...
»Gah nochmaal hen,« säd de Moder, »un wenn he dy nich antworden will, so gif em eens an de Oren.«
"Go back to him," said her mother, "and if he will not answer you, then box his ears."
You already know what's going to happen...
Da güng Marleenken hen und säd »Broder, gif my den Appel.« Awerst he sweeg still, do gaf se em eens up de Oren, do feel de Kopp herünn, doräwer vörschrock se sik un füng an to wenen un to roren, un löp to erer Moder un säd »ach, Moder, ik hebb mynen Broder den Kopp afslagen,« un weend un weend un wull sik nich tofreden gewen.
So Marlene went to him and said, "Brother, give me the apple." But he was silent, so she gave him one on the ear, and his head fell off. Marlene was terrified, and began crying and screaming, and ran to her mother, and said, "Oh, mother, I have knocked my brother's head off," and she cried and cried and could not be comforted.
Admit it, you would react this way if you genuinly thought you had knocked your sibling's head off.
»Marleenken,« säd de Moder, »wat hest du dahn! awerst swyg man still, dat et keen Mensch markt, dat is nu [264] doch nich to ännern; wy willen em in Suhr kaken.«
"Marlene," said the mother, "what have you done? Be quiet and don't let anyone know about it. It cannot be helped now. We will cook him into stew."
Just letting you know, in the first version I read, they didn't stick him in the stew...
Da nöhm de Moder den lüttjen Jung un hackd em in Stücken, ded de in den Putt un kaakd em in Suhr. Marleenken awerst stünn daarby un weend un weend, un de Tranen füllen all in den Put, un se bruukden gorr keen Solt.
Then the mother took the little boy and chopped him in pieces, put him into the pot, and cooked him into stew. But Marlene stood by crying and crying, and all her tears fell into the pot, and they did not need any salt.
Yet another act of cannibalism...
Da köhm de Vader to Huus und sett't sik to Disch un säd »wo is denn myn Sähn?« Da droog de Moder ene groote groote Schöttel up mit Swartsuhr, un Marleenken weend un kunn sich nich hollen. Do säd de Vader wedder »wo is denn myn Sähn?« »Ach,« säd de Moder, »he is äwer Land gaan, na Mütten erer Grootöhm: he wull door wat blywen.« »Wat dait he denn door? un heft my nich maal adjüüs sechd!« »O he wull geern hen un bed my, of he door wol sos Wäken blywen kunn; he is jo woll door uphawen.« »Ach,« säd de Mann, »my is so recht trurig, dat is doch nich recht, he hadd my doch adjüüs sagen schullt.« Mit des füng he an to äten und säd »Marleenken, wat weenst du? Broder wart wol wedder kamen.« »Ach, Fru,« säd he do, »wat smeckt my dat Äten schöön! Gif my mehr!« Un je mehr he eet, je mehr wull he hebben, un säd »geeft my mehr, gy schöhlt niks door af hebben, dat is, as wenn dat all myn wör.« Un he eet un eet, un de Knakens smeet he all ünner den Disch, bet he allens up hadd.
Then the father came home, and sat down at the table and said, "Where is my son?" And the mother served up a large, large dish of stew, and Marlene cried and could not stop.
Then the father said again, "Where is my son?"
"Oh," said the mother, "he has gone across the country to his mother's great uncle. He will stay there awhile."
"What is he doing there? He did not even say good-bye to me."
"Oh, he wanted to go, and asked me if he could stay six weeks. He will be well taken care of there."
"Oh," said the man, "I am unhappy. It isn't right. He should have said good-bye to me." With that he began to eat, saying, "Marlene, why are you crying? Your brother will certainly come back."
Then he said, "Wife, this food is delicious. Give me some more." And the more he ate the more he wanted, and he said, "Give me some more. You two shall have none of it. It seems to me as if it were all mine." And he ate and ate, throwing all the bones under the table, until he had finished it all.
If you were not grossed out by that, I'm not sure what to say, but the line "It seems to me as if it were all mine" goes back to the thing about it being his son.
Marleenken awerst güng hen na ere Kommod und nöhm ut de ünnerste Schuuf eren besten syden Dook, un hahl all de Beenkens und Knakens ünner den Disch heruut un bünd se in den syden Dook und droog se vör de Döhr un weend ere blödigen Tranen.
Marlene went to her chest of drawers, took her best silk scarf from the bottom drawer, and gathered all the bones from beneath the table and tied them up in her silk scarf, then carried them outside the door, crying tears of blood.
That was nice of her, it's evident that she's not bad like her mother. However, if you're crying tears of blood, you better go to a hospital.
Door läd se se ünner den Machandelboom in dat gröne Gras, un as se se door henlechd hadd, so war ehr mit eenmal so recht licht, un weend nich mer.
She laid them down beneath the juniper tree on the green grass, and after she had put them there, she suddenly felt better and did not cry anymore.
Okay, that was sudden.
Do füng de Machandelboom an sik to bewegen, un de Twyge deden sik jümmer so recht von eenanner, un denn wedder tohoop, so recht as wenn sik eener so recht freut un mit de Händ so dait. Mit des so güng dar so'n Newel von dem Boom, un recht in dem Newel, dar brennd dat as Führ, un uut dem Führ, dar flöög so'n schönen Vagel heruut, de süng so herrlich und flöög hoog in de Luft, un as he wech wöör, do wöör de Machandelboom, as he vörhen west wör, un de Dook mit de Knakens wöör wech. Marleenken awerst [265] wöör so recht licht un vörgnöögt, recht as wenn de Broder noch leewd. Do güng se wedder ganß lustig in dat Huus by Disch un eet.
Then the juniper tree began to move. The branches moved apart, then moved together again, just as if someone were rejoicing and clapping his hands. At the same time a mist seemed to rise from the tree, and in the center of this mist it burned like a fire, and a beautiful bird flew out of the fire singing magnificently, and it flew high into the air, and when it was gone, the juniper tree was just as it had been before, and the cloth with the bones was no longer there. Marlene, however, was as happy and contented as if her brother were still alive. And she went merrily into the house, sat down at the table, and ate.
The bird thing may be what made me like this... Hey! Ate what? Her father ate all the stew and she knew very well what was in it!
Picture courtesy of http://www.artsycraftsy.com/goble/wg_juniper_tree.jpg
De Vagel awerst flöög wech un sett't sik up enen Goldsmidt syn Huus un füng an to singen
»mein Mutter, der mich schlacht,
mein Vater, der mich aß,
mein Schwester, der Marlenichen,
sucht alle meine Benichen,
bind't sie in ein seiden Tuch,
legts unter den Machandelbaum.
Kywitt, kywitt, wat vör'n schöön Vagel bün ik!«
De Goldsmidt seet in syn Waarkstäd un maakd ene gollne Kede, do höörd he den Vagel, de up syn Dack seet und süng, un dat dünkd em so schöön. Da stünn he up, un as he äwer den Süll güng, da vörlöör he eenen Tüffel. He güng awer so [266] recht midden up de Strat hen, eenen Tüffel un een Sock an: syn Schortfell hadd he vör, un in de een Hand hadd he de golln Kede un in de anner de Tang; un de Sünn schynd so hell up de Strat. Door güng he recht so staan un seeg den Vagel an. »Vagel,« secht he do, »wo schöön kannst du singen! Sing my dat Stück nochmaal.«
Then the bird flew away and lit on a goldsmith's house, and began to sing:
My mother, she killed me,
My father, he ate me,
My sister Marlene,
Gathered all my bones,
Tied them in a silken scarf,
Laid them beneath the juniper tree,
Tweet, tweet, what a beautiful bird am I.
The goldsmith was sitting in his workshop making a golden chain, when he heard the bird sitting on his roof and singing. The song seemed very beautiful to him. He stood up, but as he crossed the threshold he lost one of his slippers. However, he went right up the middle of the street with only one slipper and one sock on. He had his leather apron on, and in one hand he had a golden chain and in the other his tongs. The sun was shining brightly on the street.
He walked onward, then stood still and said to the bird, "Bird," he said, "how beautifully you can sing. Sing that piece again for me."
In case you're wondering, they are not listening to what the bird-boy is singing for some reason.
»Ne,« secht de Vagel, »twemaal sing ik nich umsünst. Gif my de golln Kede, so will ik dy't nochmaal singen.« »Door,« secht de Goldsmidt, »hest du de golln Kede, nu sing my dat nochmaal.« Do köhm de Vagel un nöhm de golln Kede so in de rechte Poot, un güng vor den Goldsmidt sitten un süng
»mein Mutter, der mich schlacht,
mein Vater, der mich aß,
mein Schwester, der Marlenichen,
sucht alle meine Benichen,
bind't sie in ein seiden Tuch,
legts unter den Machandelbaum.Kywitt, kywitt, wat vör'n schöön Vagel bün ik!«
"No," said the bird, "I do not sing twice for nothing. Give me the golden chain, and then I will sing it again for you."
The goldsmith said, "Here is the golden chain for you. Now sing that song again for me." Then the bird came and took the golden chain in his right claw, and went and sat in front of the goldsmith, and sang:
My mother, she killed me,My father, he ate me,My sister Marlene,Gathered all my bones,Tied them in a silken scarf,Laid them beneath the juniper tree,Tweet, tweet, what a beautiful bird am I.
I think it means "unrewarded," not "nothing," but I don't know
[267] Da flög de Vagel wech na enem Schooster, und sett't sik up den syn Dack un süng
»mein Mutter, der mich schlacht,
mein Vater, der mich aß,
mein Schwester, der Marlenichen,
sucht alle meine Benichen,
bind't sie in ein seiden Tuch,
legts unter den Machandelbaum.
Kywitt, kywitt, wat vör'n schöön Vagel bün ik!«
De Schooster höörd dat und leep vör syn Döhr in Hemdsaarmels, un seeg na syn Dack un mussd de Hand vör de Ogen hollen, dat de Sünn em nich blend't. »Vagel,« secht he, »wat kannst du schöön singen.« Do rööp he in syn Döhr henin »Fru, kumm mal heruut, dar is een Vagel: süh mal den Vagel, de kann maal schöön singen.« Do rööp he syn Dochter un Kinner un Gesellen, Jung un Maagd, un se kömen all up de Strat un [268] seegen den Vagel an, wo schöön he wöör, un he hadd so recht rode un gröne Feddern, un üm den Hals wöör dat as luter Gold, un de Ogen blünken em im Kopp as Steern.
Then the bird flew away to a shoemaker, and lit on his roof and sang:
My mother, she killed me,My father, he ate me,My sister Marlene,Gathered all my bones,Tied them in a silken scarf,Laid them beneath the juniper tree,Tweet, tweet, what a beautiful bird am I.
Hearing this, the shoemaker ran out of doors in his shirtsleeves, and looked up at his roof, and had to hold his hand in front of his eyes to keep the sun from blinding him. "Bird," said he, "how beautifully you can sing."
Then he called in at his door, "Wife, come outside. There is a bird here. Look at this bird. He certainly can sing." Then he called his daughter and her children, and the journeyman, and the apprentice, and the maid, and they all came out into the street and looked at the bird and saw how beautiful he was, and what fine red and green feathers he had, and how his neck was like pure gold, and how his eyes shone like stars in his head.
Couldn't they have talked about all of these things before?
»Vagel,« sägd de Schooster, »nu sing my dat Stück nochmaal.« »Ne,« secht de Vagel, »tweemal sing ik nich umsünst, du must my wat schenken.« »Fru,« säd de Mann, »gah na dem Bähn: up dem bäwelsten Boord, door staan een Poor rode Schö, de bring herünn.« Do güng de Fru hen un hahl de Schö. »Door, Vagel,« säd de Mann, »nu sing my dat Stück nochmaal.« Do köhm de Vagel und nöhm de Schö in de linke Klau, un flöög wedder up dat Dack un süng
»mein Mutter, der mich schlacht,
mein Vater, der mich aß,
mein Schwester, der Marlenichen,
sucht alle meine Benichen,
bind't sie in ein seiden Tuch,
legts unter den Machandelbaum.
Kywitt, kywitt, wat vör'n schöön Vagel bün ik!«
"Bird," said the shoemaker, "now sing that song again for me."
"No," said the bird, "I do not sing twice for nothing. You must give me something."
"Wife," said the man, "go into the shop. There is a pair of red shoes on the top shelf. Bring them down." Then the wife went and brought the shoes.
"There, bird," said the man, "now sing that piece again for me." Then the bird came and took the shoes in his left claw, and flew back to the roof, and sang:
My mother, she killed me,My father, he ate me,My sister Marlene,Gathered all my bones,Tied them in a silken scarf,Laid them beneath the juniper tree,Tweet, tweet, what a beautiful bird am I.
Two things, what number is famous in a German fairy tale, now?
Un as he uutsungen hadd, so flöög he wech: de Kede hadd he in de rechte und de Schö in de linke Klau, un he flöög wyt wech na ene Mähl, un de Mähl güng »klippe klappe, klippe klappe, klippe klappe.« Un in de Mähl, door seeten twintig Mählenburßen, de hauden enen Steen und hackden »hick hack, hick hack, hick hack,« un de Mähl güng »klippe klappe, klippe klappe, klippe klappe.« Do güng de Vagel up enen Lindenboom sitten, de vör de Mähl stünn, un süng
»mein Mutter, der mich schlacht,«
do höörd een up,
»mein Vater, der mich aß,«
do höörden noch twe up un höörden dat,
»mein Schwester, der Marlenichen,«
do höörden wedder veer up,
»sucht alle meine Benichen,
bind't sie in ein seiden Tuch,«
nu hackden noch man acht,
»legts unter«
[269] nu noch man fyw,
»den Machandelbaum.«
nu noch man een.
»Kywitt, kywitt, wat vör'n schöön Vagel bün ik!«
Da hüll de lezte ook up und hadd dat lezte noch höörd. »Vagel,« secht he, »wat singst du schöön! laat my dat ook hören, sing my dat nochmaal.« »Ne,« secht de Vagel, »twemaal sing ik nich umsünst, gif my den Mählensteen, so will ik dat nochmaal singen.« »Ja,« secht he, »wenn he my alleen tohöörd, so schullst du em hebben.« »Ja,« säden de annern, »wenn he nochmaal singt, so schall he em hebben.« Do köhm de Vagel herünn, un de Möllers faat'n all twintig mit Böhm an un böhrden Steen up, »hu uh uhp, hu uh uhp, hu uh uhp!« Da stöök de Vagel den[270] Hals döör dat Lock un nöhm em üm as enen Kragen, un flöög wedder up den Boom un süng
»mein Mutter, der mich schlacht,
mein Vater, der mich aß,
mein Schwester, der Marlenichen,
sucht alle meine Benichen,
bind't sie in ein seiden Tuch,
legts unter den Machandelbaum.
Kywitt, kywitt, wat vörn schöön Vagel bün ik!«
Un as he dat uutsungen hadd, do deed he de Flünk von eenanner, un hadd in de rechte Klau de Kede un in de linke de Schö un üm den Hals den Mählensteen, un floog wyt wech na synes Vaders Huse.
When he had finished his song he flew away. In his right claw he had the chain and in his left one the shoes. He flew far away to a mill, and the mill went clickety-clack, clickety-clack, clickety-clack. In the mill sat twenty miller's apprentices cutting a stone, and chiseling chip-chop, chip-chop, chip-chop. And the mill went clickety-clack, clickety-clack, clickety-clack.
Then the bird went and sat on a linden tree which stood in front of the mill, and sang:
My mother, she killed me,
Then one of them stopped working.
My father, he ate me,
Then two more stopped working and listened,
My sister Marlene,
Then four more stopped,
Gathered all my bones,Tied them in a silken scarf,
Now only eight only were chiseling,
Laid them beneath
Now only five,
the juniper tree,
Now only one,
Tweet, tweet, what a beautiful bird am I.
Then the last one stopped also, and heard the last words. "Bird," said he, "how beautifully you sing. Let me hear that too. Sing it once more for me."
"No," said the bird, "I do not sing twice for nothing. Give me the millstone, and then I will sing it again."
"Yes," he said, "if it belonged only to me, you should have it."
"Yes," said the others, "if he sings again he can have it."
Then the bird came down, and the twenty millers took a beam and lifted the stone up. Yo-heave-ho! Yo-heave-ho! Yo-heave-ho!
The bird stuck his neck through the hole and put the stone on as if it were a collar, then flew to the tree again, and sang:
My mother, she killed me,My father, he ate me,My sister Marlene,Gathered all my bones,Tied them in a silken scarf,Laid them beneath the juniper tree,Tweet, tweet, what a beautiful bird am I.
When he was finished singing, he spread his wings, and in his right claw he had the chain, and in his left one the shoes, and around his neck the millstone. He flew far away to his father's house.
He's going home. Anyway, how does that bird carry the millstone around his neck when it was so hard for the millers to lift. Ah, well, he's probably magic.
In de Stuw seet de Vader, de Moder un Marleenken by Disch, un de Vader säd »ach, wat waart my licht, my is recht so good to Mode.« »Nä,« säd de Moder, »my is recht so angst, so recht, as wenn en swoor Gewitter kummt.« Marleenken awerst seet un weend un weend,
In the room the father, the mother, and Marlene were sitting at the table.
The father said, "I feel so contented. I am so happy."
"Not I," said the mother, "I feel uneasy, just as if a bad storm were coming."
But Marlene just sat and cried and cried.
Wasn't she feeling better?
da köhm de Vagel anflogen, un as he sik up dat Dack sett't, »ach,« säd de Vader, »my is so recht freudig, un de Sünn schynt buten so schöön, my is recht, as schull ik enen olen Bekannten weddersehn.« »Ne,« säd de Fru, »my is so angst, de Täne klappern my, un dat is my as Führ in den Adern.« Un se reet sik ehr Lyfken up un so mehr, awer Marleenken seet in en Eck un weend, und hadd eren Platen vör de Ogen, un weend den Platen ganß meßnatt. Do sett't sik de Vagel up den Machandelboom un süng
»mein Mutter, der mich schlacht,«
Do hüll de Moder de Oren to un kneep de Ogen to, un wull nich sehn un hören, awer dat bruusde ehr in de Oren as de allerstaarkste Storm, un de Ogen brennden ehr un zackden as Blitz.
Then the bird flew up, and as it seated itself on the roof, the father said, "Oh, I feel so truly happy, and the sun is shining so beautifully outside. I feel as if I were about to see some old acquaintance again."
"Not I," said the woman, "I am so afraid that my teeth are chattering, and I feel like I have fire in my veins." And she tore open her bodice even more. Marlene sat in a corner crying. She held a handkerchief before her eyes and cried until it was wet clear through.
Then the bird seated itself on the juniper tree, and sang:
My mother, she killed me,
The mother stopped her ears and shut her eyes, not wanting to see or hear, but there was a roaring in her ears like the fiercest storm, and her eyes burned and flashed like lightning.
She is driven mad by the song that gives others so much joy.
»mein Vater, der mich aß,«
»Ach, Moder,« secht de Mann, »door is en schöön Vagel, de singt so herrlich, de Sünn schynt so warm, un dat rückt as luter Zinnemamen.«
»mein Schwester, der Marlenichen,«
[271] Do läd Marleenken den Kopp up de Knee un weend in eens wech, de Mann awerst säd »ik ga henuut, ik mutt den Vagel dicht by sehn.« »Ach, gah nich,« säd de Fru, »my is, as beewd dat ganße Huus un stünn in Flammen.« Awerst de Mann güng henuut un seeg den Vagel an.
»sucht alle meine Benichen,
bind't sie in ein seiden Tuch,
legts unter den Machandelbaum.
Kywitt, kywitt, wat vör'n schöön Vagel bün ik!«
Mit des leet de Vagel de gollne Kede fallen, un se feel dem Mann jüst um'n Hals, so recht hier herüm, dat se recht so schöön passd. Do güng he herin un säd »süh, wat is dat vör'n schöön Vagel, heft my so'ne schöne gollne Kede schenkd, un süht so schöön uut.« De Fru awerst wöör so angst un füll langs [272] in de Stuw hen, un de Mütz füll ehr von dem Kopp. Do süng de Vagel wedder
My father, he ate me,
"Oh, mother," said the man, "that is a beautiful bird. He is singing so splendidly, and the sun is shining so warmly, and it smells like pure cinnamon."
My sister Marlene,
Then Marlene laid her head on her knees and cried and cried, but the man said, "I am going out. I must see the bird up close."
"Oh, don't go," said the woman, "I feel as if the whole house were shaking and on fire."
But the man went out and looked at the bird.
Gathered all my bones,Tied them in a silken scarf,Laid them beneath the juniper tree,Tweet, tweet, what a beautiful bird am I.
With this the bird dropped the golden chain, and it fell right around the man's neck, so exactly around it that it fit beautifully. Then the man went in and said, "Just look what a beautiful bird that is, and what a beautiful golden chain he has given me, and how nice it looks."
But the woman was terrified. She fell down on the floor in the room, and her cap fell off her head. Then the bird sang once more:
Whatever happened to "I don't sing twice for nothing?" We will now place guesses for the ending of the story.
»mein Mutter, der mich schlacht,«
»Ach, dat ik dusend Föder ünner de Eerd wöör, dat ik dat nich hören schull!«
»mein Vater, der mich aß,«
Do füll de Fru vör dood nedder.
»mein Schwester, der Marlenichen,«
»Ach,« säd Marleenken, »ik will ook henuut gahn un sehn, of de Vagel my wat schenkt.« Do güng se henuut.
»sucht alle meine Benichen,
bind't sie in ein seiden Tuch,«
Do schmeet he ehr de Schö herünn.
[273] »legts unter den Machandelbaum.
Kywitt, kywitt, wat vör'n schöön Vagel bün ik!«
Do wöör ehr so licht un fröhlich. Do truck se den neen roden Schö an, un danßd un sprüng herin. »Ach,« säd se, »ik wöör so trurig, as ick henuut güng, un nu is my so licht, dat is maal en herrlichen Vagel, hett my en Poor rode Schö schenkd.«
My mother killed me.
"I wish I were a thousand fathoms beneath the earth, so I would not have to hear that!"
My father, he ate me,
Then the woman fell down as if she were dead.
My sister Marlene,
"Oh," said Marlene, "I too will go out and see if the bird will give me something." Then she went out.
Gathered all my bones,Tied them in a silken scarf,
He threw the shoes down to her.
Laid them beneath the juniper tree,Tweet, tweet, what a beautiful bird am I.
Then she was contented and happy. She put on the new red shoes and danced and leaped into the house. "Oh," she said, "I was so sad when I went out and now I am so contented. That is a splendid bird, he has given me a pair of red shoes."
Father gets gold chain, Marleenken gets red shoes, bet you know what the mother's going to get.
»Ne,« säd de Fru und sprüng up, un de Hoor stünnen ehr to Baarg as Führsflammen, »my is, as schull de Welt ünnergahn, ik will ook henuut, of my lichter warden schull.«
"No," said the woman, jumping to her feet and with her hair standing up like flames of fire, "I feel as if the world were coming to an end. I too, will go out and see if it makes me feel better."
Do you think she'll feel better?
Un as se uut de Döhr köhm, bratsch! smeet ehr de Vagel den Mählensteen up den Kopp, dat se ganß tomatscht wurr. De Vader un Marleenken höörden dat un güngen henuut: do güng en Damp un Flamm un Führ up von der Städ, un as dat vorby wöör, do stünn de lüttje Broder door, un he nöhm synen Vader un Marleenken by der Hand, un wören all dre so recht vergnöögt un güngen in dat Huus by Disch, un eeten.
And as she went out the door, crash! the bird threw the millstone on her head, and it crushed her to death.
The father and Marlene heard it and went out. Smoke, flames, and fire were rising from the place, and when that was over, the little brother was standing there, and he took his father and Marlene by the hand, and all three were very happy, and they went into the house, sat down at the table, and ate.
What is it with this family and eating!? They must get it from the father's side. He's got to have been so hungry once that he, oh, ate his son or something! Anyway, what about the wife? I don't think the son would feel the best about crushing his stepmother, and Marleenken seemed to take the mother's death rather well. I wonder If the father will marry again. A nice woman with a nice large... apple-holding chest with a very sharp iron lock. If you thought that was ambiguous at this point, reread the first half of this post.
Regardless, did you like it? This is one fairy tale we'll probably never see in Disney any time soon. I know it seemed like I have a sick mind during this, but those of you who know me well enough know I'm not like that. Or do you?... Yes, you do. I couldn't resist saying that.
Original Text from http://www.zeno.org/Literatur/M/Grimm,+Jacob+und+Wilhelm/M%C3%A4rchen/Kinder-+und+Hausm%C3%A4rchen/47.+Von+dem+Machandelboom
Translation from http://www.pitt.edu/~dash/grimm047.html
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