Melodie/Tune: Johannes Schondorf

MIDI: R. F. Hahn, ©2002

Song Excerpt: Hannes Wader

Plattdeutsche Lieder

Lütt Matten de Has’,
De mak sik en Spaß,
He weer bi’t Studeern,
Dat Danzen to lehrn,
Un danz ganz alleen
Op de achtersten Been.

Li’l Matthew, the hare,
Went out for a dare,
Went tipping and prancing
To study some dancing
And danced on is own
On his hind legs alone.

Keem Reinke de Voss
Un dach: »das en Kost!«
Un seggt: »Lüttje Matten,
So flink oppe Padden?
Un danzst hier alleen
Oppe achtersten Been?

Reynard Fox, the old cheat,
Came and thought, “What a treat!”
And said, “Hey, little Matt!
Quick and sprightly like that?
You dance on your own
On your hind legs alone?”

Kumm, lat uns tosam!
Ik kann as de Dam!
De Krei, de spelt Fitel,
Denn geit dat canditel,
Denn geit dat mal schön
Op de achtersten Been!«

“Come! Let’s dance as a pair!
It’s a jolly affair.
You may lead. That’d be droll.
And the crow plays viol.
And we’ll dance to each tone
On our hind legs alone.”

Lütt Matten gev Pot.
De Voss beet em dot
Un sett sik in Schatten,
Verspis’ de lütt Matten:
De Krei, de kreeg een
Von de achtersten Been.

Li’l Matt gave his paws,
But the fox gave his jaws.
In the shade he then sat
Devouring Li’l Matt,
And the crow? She got thrown
Of a hind leg a bone.