by
Bertolt Brecht (1898 - 1956)
Der Pflaumenbaum
Language: German (Deutsch)
Available translation(s): ENG
Im Hofe steht ein Pflaumenbaum
Der ist klein, man glaubt es kaum.
Er hat ein Gitter drum
So tritt ihn keiner um.
Der Kleine kann nicht größer wer'n.
Ja größer wer'n, das möcht er gern.
'ist keine Red davon
Er hat zu wenig Sonn.
Den Pflaumenbaum glaubt man ihm kaum
Weil er nie eine Plaume hat
Doch er ist ein Pflaumenbaum
Man kennt es an dem Blatt.
Please note: this text, provided here for educational and research use, is in the public domain in Canada, but it may still be copyright in other legal jurisdictions. The LiederNet Archive makes no guarantee that the above text is public domain in your country. Please consult your country's copyright statutes or a qualified IP attorney to verify whether a certain text is in the public domain in your country or if downloading or distributing a copy constitutes fair use. The LiederNet Archive assumes no legal responsibility or liability for the copyright compliance of third parties.
Authorship:
Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive):
- by Henri Delnooz , "Der Pflaumenbaum", 1975, from Drie kinderliederen, uit de 'Svendborger Gedichte', no. 3 [sung text not yet checked]
- by Paul Dessau (1894 - 1979), "Der Pflaumenbaum", 195-?, from Fünf Kinderlieder [sung text not yet checked]
- by Hanns Eisler (1898 - 1962), "Der Pflaumenbaum", 1937 [sung text checked 1 time]
- by Hanns Eisler (1898 - 1962), "Der Pflaumenbaum", 1960 [sung text checked 1 time]
Settings in other languages, adaptations, or excerpts:
- Also set in Portuguese (Português), a translation by Anonymous/Unidentified Artist , copyright © ; composed by Eduardo Guimarães Alvares.
Other available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- ENG English (Sharon Krebs) , "The plum tree", copyright © 2010, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [
Administrator]
This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 12
Word count: 67
The plum tree
Language: English  after the German (Deutsch)
In the yard stands a plum tree.
It is so small that one can hardly believe it.
It has a little fence around it
So that no one steps on it.
The little one cannot get bigger.
Ah, to grow bigger, that's what he would like.
But there is no question of that.
It gets too little sun.
People hardly believe it is a plum tree
Because it never has any plums.
Yet it is a plum tree.
You can recognize it by the leaves.
Authorship:
- Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2010 by Sharon Krebs, (re)printed on this website with kind permission. To reprint and distribute this author's work for concert programs, CD booklets, etc., you may ask the copyright-holder(s) directly or ask us; we are authorized to grant permission on their behalf. Please provide the translator's name when contacting us.
Contact: licenses@email.lieder.example.net
Based on:
This text was added to the website: 2010-10-11
Line count: 12
Word count: 85