JAVS Fall 2012

Figure 14. The folksong and text from F. M. Böhme that served as the basis for Der Schwanendreher , movt. III, Variationen “Seid ihr nicht der Schwanendreher. ”

Aren’t you the swanturner? Aren’t you that very man? Turn me a swan, And I will believe it. And if you don’t turn me a swan, you’re no swanturner. Turn me a swan!

Don’t you know the swanturner With his empty scabbard? He has a scabbard, no weapon’s in it. He goes with the swans into the pond

With his empty scabbard. He’ll be given the cook. She’s unhappy about it. But if he’d a full scabbard

Don’t you know the swanturner with his long nose?

The cook wouldn’t be unhappy. As it is, she’s unhappy about it.

He’s turned the swan, plucked the cock, pickled the peacock, fattened the swan. I don’t care about any man.

And when he’s called a Calvinist, He says you’re a rogue: I don’t care for my wife. If I cared for her,

Oh if I did care I wouldn’t have a good life. I don’t care about any man.

I’d never have a good life. I don’t care for my wife. 30

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