Mariechen was crying in the garden
Mariechen sat crying in the garden is a well-known kitchen song . The text goes back to the poem Mariechen by Joseph Christian von Zedlitz , which the latter published in 1832. The origin of the popular melody is unknown.
Origin and reception
Joseph Christian von Zedlitz (1790–1862) was an Austrian officer and writer who also held political offices in the era of the Metternich restoration . His poem Mariechen is originally meant seriously, unlike Sabinchen was a woman , with which Mariechen sat crying in the garden is often mentioned in the same breath. Zedlitz takes up the situation of unmarried young mothers, which was common at the time, who were abandoned by the fathers of their children and thus fell into economic hardship and social ostracism.
The “oozing” sentimentality of the text, reinforced by threatening images of nature, was beneficial at the beginning of its distribution as a kitchen song - as a song releasing feelings of dependent women - but did it tip in connection with the banal, pathetic soon into the comic and parodic. In this sense it was received in the youth music movement of the early 20th century.
content
According to the original text, Mariechen is sitting on the distaff , which, however , does not harmonize well with the "evening wind", the child in the grass and the other natural processes described and was soon changed to the "garden". A thunderstorm is approaching, she takes her child in her arms crying and speaks sadly to him of his and her abandonment. She wishes the vanished father, who lives “happily in joy”, well-being, while she fantasizes an end to “grief and woe” for herself and the child by falling into the lake. Then the child opens his eyes and smiles at her, and all despair evaporates: “No, no, we want to live. ... Your father be forgiven - how happy he makes me! "
The poem invites you to pity Mariechen and at the same time shows her forbearance with her father, who has fled from responsibility - certainly a member of the "higher classes" - as exemplary. The change in mood of the last two stanzas does not correspond to any real change in the situation.
Text (1984)
1. Mariechen sat crying in the garden, her child lay slumbering in the grass.
The evening wind purrs with her golden blonde curls.
She was so tired and sad, so lonely, pale as a ghost.
The dark clouds moved and waves hit the pond.
2. The vulture rises over the mountains. The seagull walks proudly.
A distant wind blows, the drops fall heavy.
A hot tear trickles down Mary's cheeks:
She is holding a small, slumbering child in her arms.
3. “Here you lie so calmly out of your mind, you poor, abandoned worm!
You dream of future worries, the trees are moved by the storm.
Your father has left you, you and your mother have left you;
that is why we are poor orphans in this world alone.
4. Your Father lives gloriously, with joy; God let it go well!
He doesn't think of either of us. Don't want to see me and you
That's why we both want to plunge into the sea here:
Then we will remain hidden from grief, alas and woe! ”
5. Then the child opens his eyes, looks at her in a friendly manner and laughs;
the mother, weeping for joy, presses it to her heart with power.
“No, no, we want to live, both of us, you and me!
The father be forgiven: How happy you make me! "
Web links
- Cheer up: "Mariechen sat crying in the garden" , BR-Klassik , December 28, 2010