Songs

Brauner Bursche führt zum Tanze

by Johannes Brahms From Zigeunerlieder, 'Gypsy Songs' (ensemble version) (1887) Op. 103

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Text & Translation

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Brauner Bursche führt zum Tanze
German source: Hugo Conrat

Brauner Bursche führt zum Tanze
Sein blauäugig schönes Kind,
Schlägt die Sporen keck zusammen,
Csardas-Melodie beginnt,
Küßt und herzt sein süßes Täubchen,
Dreht sie, führt sie, jauchzt und springt;
Wirft drei blanke Silbergulden
Auf das Cimbal, daß es klingt.

A swarthy lad leads his lovely
English translation © Richard Stokes

A swarthy lad leads his lovely
Blue-eyed lass to the dance,
Boldly clashes his spurs together,
A csárdás medody begins,
He kisses and hugs his sweet little dove,
Turns her, leads her, exults and leaps;
Throws three shining silver florins
That make the cimbalom ring.

Translation © Richard Stokes, author of The Book of Lieder (Faber, 2005)

Brauner Bursche führt zum Tanze
German source: Hugo Conrat

A swarthy lad leads his lovely
English source: Richard Stokes

Brauner Bursche führt zum Tanze
A swarthy lad leads his lovely
Sein blauäugig schönes Kind,
Blue-eyed lass to the dance,
Schlägt die Sporen keck zusammen,
Boldly clashes his spurs together,
Csardas-Melodie beginnt,
A csárdás medody begins,
Küßt und herzt sein süßes Täubchen,
He kisses and hugs his sweet little dove,
Dreht sie, führt sie, jauchzt und springt;
Turns her, leads her, exults and leaps;
Wirft drei blanke Silbergulden
Throws three shining silver florins
Auf das Cimbal, daß es klingt.
That make the cimbalom ring.

Composer

Johannes Brahms

Johannes Brahms (7 May 1833 – 3 April 1897) was a German composer, pianist, and conductor of the Romantic period. Born in Hamburg into a Lutheran family, Brahms spent much of his professional life in Vienna.  Brahms has been considered, by his…

Poet

Hugo Conrat

Hugo Conrat is most known for his German adaptations of the Hungarian folksongs in Zigeunerlieder (Brahms).  He was a member of Brahms' circle in Vienna.

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