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Sumer Is Icumen In

Sing cuccu nu, Sing cuccu
Sing cuccu, Sing cuccu nu
 
Svmer is icumen in
Lhude sing cuccu
Groweþ sed
and bloweþ med
and springþ þe wde nu
Sing cuccu
 
Awe bleteþ after lomb
lhouþ after calue cu
Bulluc sterteþ
bucke uerteþ
 
murie sing cuccu
Cuccu cuccu
Wel singes þu cuccu
ne swik þu nauer nu
 
Translation

Der Sommer ist gekommen

Sing, Kuckuck, nun sing, Kuckuck
Sing, Kuckuck, sing Kuckuck jetzt
 
Der Sommer ist gekommen
Laut singt der Kuckuck!
Die Saat wächst heran
Und die Wiese blüht
Der Wald treibt junges Blattwerk aus
Sing, Kuckuck
 
Das Mutterschaf blökt nach dem Lamm
Es muht nach ihrem Kalb die Kuh
Der Stier tänzelt herum
Der Hirsch markiert sein Revier
 
Singe fröhlich, Kuckuck
Kuckuck, Kuckuck
Schön singst du, Kuckuck
Hör jetzt nur nicht auf!
 
Comments
sandringsandring    Tue, 28/06/2016 - 09:20

Dear Wolfgang! Thank you for my beloved Middle English and Wessex dialect in particular. You know I'm good for nothing in German but one thing is for sure. Der Wald ist noch frisch belaubt nicht. It's only coming into leaf. Something like "Knospen springen auf" Don't laugh, I want to look smart at times, too. By the way, about "Der Geißbock der furzt". There's another understanding of this phrase I also share. "Bucke Uerteth" may mean "A stag lets off urine" He does that to attract a female in the wood. So I poetically understand this as "A stag is looking for a female" I'm writing this not in terms of translation but just to entertain you. Good day, dear! :)

LobolyrixLobolyrix
   Tue, 28/06/2016 - 10:48

Well, I was very amused myself when I found the term "fart" for "Uerteth" :bigsmile: ; your understanding of this term seems more poetical indeed. After having modified the passages in question considering your hints I do hope that I have come closer to the sense (?)... :~ :)
Thank you very much for your help, Nadia.

sandringsandring    Tue, 28/06/2016 - 11:22

Thank you, Wolfgang. To me it looks perfect now and very beautiful! :)

Sante_CaserioSante_Caserio    Tue, 11/10/2016 - 16:11

I read on Wikipedia that 'sumer', does mean 'spring' as it meant a longer time-period than today.

Can somebody confirm?

MichaelNaMichaelNa    Tue, 11/10/2016 - 16:30

That's old English, the present equivalent is "summer"; Estate in Italian. :)

citlālicuecitlālicue
   Thu, 02/11/2017 - 00:17

Please revise your translation, the format of the song has been changed.