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Proofreading requested
Original lyrics
Fragen eines lesenden Arbeiters
Wer baute das siebentorige Theben?
In den Büchern stehen die Namen von Königen.
Haben die Könige die Felsbrocken herbeigeschlappt?
Und das mehrmals zerstörte Babylon -
Wer baute es so viele Male auf? In welchen Häusern
Des goldstrahlenden Lima wohnten die Bauleute?
Wohin gingen an dem Abend,
an dem die chinesische Mauer fertig war,
Die Maurer?
Das große Rom ist voll von Triumphbögen.
Wer errichtete sie?
Über wen triumphierten die Cäsaren?
Hatte das vielbesungene Byzanz
Nur Paläste für seine Bewohner?
Selbst in dem sagenhaften Atlantis
Brüllten in der Nacht, wo das Meer es verschlang
Die Ersaufenden nach ihren Sklaven.
Der junge Alexander eroberte Indien.
Er allein?
Cäsar schlug die Gallier.
Hatte er nicht wenigstens einen Koch bei sich?
Philipp von Spanien weinte, als seine Flotte
Untergegangen war. Weinte sonst niemand?
Friedrich der Zweite siegte im Siebenjährigen Krieg.
Wer siegte außer ihm?
Jede Seite ein Sieg.
Wer kochte den Siegesschmaus?
Alle zehn Jahre ein großer Mann.
Wer bezahlte die Spesen?
So viele Berichte.
So viele Fragen.
Submitted by 
Nino Muzzi on 2017-11-21
Nino Muzzi on 2017-11-21Last edited by 
Freigeist on 2017-11-21
Freigeist on 2017-11-21Translation
Questions of a Reading Workman
Who built the seven towers of Thebes?
The names of kings are mentioned in the books.
Did those kings drag those boulders?
And Babylon, several times destroyed –
Who rebuilt it so many times? In what houses
Of glittering golden Lima did the builders live?
In the evening
when the wall of China was finished
where did the bricklayers go?
Great Rome is full of triumphal arches.
Who erected those?
Whom did the Caesars conquer?
Were there only palaces for the inhabitants
of much-lauded Byzantium?
Even in legendary Atlantis
when the sea engulfed it in the night
Those drowning clamoured for their slaves.
The young Alexander conquered India
On his own?
Caesar defeated the Gauls
Was there at least a cook with him?
Philip of Spain wept when his fleet
Had sunk. Did nobody else weep?
Frederick II triumphed in the Seven Years' War
Who else triumphed beside him?
There's a victory on every page
Who cooked the victory feast?
A Great Man every decade.
Who paid for the expenses?
So many reports.
So many questions.
The author of translation requested proofreading.
It means that he/she will be happy to receive corrections, suggestions etc about the translation.
If you are proficient in both languages of the language pair, you are welcome to leave your comments.
It means that he/she will be happy to receive corrections, suggestions etc about the translation.
If you are proficient in both languages of the language pair, you are welcome to leave your comments.
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Bertolt Brecht: Top 3
| 1. | Fragen eines lesenden Arbeiters |
| 2. | Das Lied vom Anstreicher Hitler |
| 3. | Der Krieg, der kommen wird |
Comments
azucarinho
Tue, 21/11/2017 - 17:32
!! (i.e. Words fail me!) :-)
azucarinho
Wed, 22/11/2017 - 13:24
Thank you, HKL! I've made the corrections.
ic_fly2 Russia is waging a disgraceful war on Ukraine. Stand With Ukraine!
About translator
Seems to be English, not Dutch... ;)