Fuchs du hast die Gans gestohlen
This version of the song from North Germany was said as a counting out rhyme. It was collected in 1888.
Fuchs du hast die Gans gestohlen
Fox You Have Stolen the Goose Rhyme
Counting-out Rhyme
Counting-out Rhyme
(German)
(English)
Fuchs du hast die Gans gestohlen,
Gib sie wieder her,
Sonst wird dich der Jäger holen
Mit dem Schießgewehr.
Eins, zwei, drei,
Du bist davon frei!
Fox you stole the goose,
Give it back,
Or the hunter will get you
With his gun.
One, two, three,
Of it you are free!
Notes
Christina, who grew up in Germany, never heard of the song used this way in modern times. If anyone knows if this is still used as a counting out rhyme, please email me to let us know. Thanks! Mama Lisa
Thanks and Acknowledgements
This rhyme can be found in the book " The Counting-out Rhymes of Children (1888) by Henry Carrington Bolton.
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