Ein Mann, der sich Kolumbus nannt
This song first appeared in print in 1936, but the tune goes back to the mid 1700's. It's based on an even older students' song called "Ich bin der Doktor Eisenbart".
Ein Mann, der sich Kolumbus nannt
A Man Who Called Himself Columbus
Children's Song
Children's Song
(German)
(English)
1. Ein Mann, der sich Kolumbus nannt,
Widewidewitt, bum, bum,
War in der Schiffahrt wohl bekannt,
Widewidewitt, bum, bum.
Es drückten ihn die Sorgen schwer,
Er suchte neues Land im Meer.
Gloria, Viktoria, widewidewitt, juchheirassa,
Gloria, Viktoria, widewidewitt, bum, bum.
2. Als er den Morgenkaffee trank,
Widewidewitt, bum, bum,
Da rief er fröhlich: "Gott sei Dank!"*
Widewidewitt, bum, bum.
Denn schnell kam mit der ersten Tram
Der span'sche König bei ihm an.
Gloria, Viktoria, widewidewitt, juchheirassa,
Gloria, Viktoria, widewidewitt, bum, bum.
3. "Kolumbus", sprach er "lieber Mann,
Widewidewitt, bum, bum,
Du hast schon manche Tat getan!
Widewidewitt, bum, bum.
Eins fehlt noch unserer Gloria:
Entdecke mir Amerika!"
Gloria, Viktoria, widewidewitt, juchheirassa,
Gloria, Viktoria, widewidewitt, bum, bum.
4. Gesagt, getan, ein Mann, ein Wort,
Widewidewitt, bum, bum,
Am selben Tag fuhr er noch fort.
Widewidewitt, bum, bum.
Und eines Morgens schrie er: "Land!
Wie deucht mir alles so bekannt!"
Gloria, Viktoria, widewidewitt, juchheirassa,
Gloria, Viktoria, widewidewitt, bum, bum.
5. Das Volk an Land stand stumm und zag,
Widewidewitt, bum, bum,
Da sagt Kolumbus: "Guten Tag!
Widewidewitt, bum, bum.
Ist hier vielleicht Amerika?"
Da schrien alle Wilden: "Ja!"
Gloria, Viktoria, widewidewitt, juchheirassa,
Gloria, Viktoria, widewidewitt, bum, bum.
6. Die Wilden waren sehr erschreckt
Widewidewitt, bum, bum,
Und schrien all: "Wir sind entdeckt!"
Widewidewitt, bum, bum.
Der Häuptling rief ihm "Lieber Mann,
Alsdann bist du Kolumbus dann!"
Gloria, Viktoria, widewidewitt, juchheirassa,
Gloria, Viktoria, widewidewitt, bum, bum.
1. A man who called himself Columbus,
Widewidewitt, boom, boom,
Was well known in navigation,
Widewidewitt, boom, boom.
His worries weighed heavily upon him,
He was looking for new land in the sea.
Gloria, victoria*, widewidewitt, yippee,
Gloria, victoria, widewidewitt, boom, boom.
2. As he drank his morning coffee
Widewidewitt, boom, boom,
He shouted cheerfully: "Thank God!" **
Widewidewitt, boom, boom.
Because the first tram came quickly with
The Spanish king on it.
Gloria, victoria, widewidewitt, yippee,
Gloria, victoria, widewidewitt, boom, boom.
3. "Columbus," said he, "Dear man,
Widewidewitt, boom, boom,
You've already done many deeds!
Widewidewitt, boom, boom.
One thing is still missing for our Glory:
Discover America for me! "
Gloria, victoria, widewidewitt, yippee,
Gloria, victoria, widewidewitt, boom, boom.
4. No sooner said than done, one man, one word,
Widewidewitt, boom, boom,
On the same day he sailed away
Widewidewitt, boom, boom.
And one morning he shouted: "Land!
How everything seems so familiar to me!"
Gloria, victoria, widewidewitt, yippee,
Gloria, victoria, widewidewitt, boom, boom.
5. The people on land stood silent and fearful,
Widewidewitt, boom, boom,
Then Columbus said: "Good day!
Widewidewitt, boom, boom.
Is this America?"
Then all the savages shouted: "Yes!"
Gloria, victoria, widewidewitt, yippee,
Gloria, victoria, widewidewitt, boom, boom.
5. The savages were very frightened
Widewidewitt, boom, boom,
And they all shouted: "We've been discovered!"
Widewidewitt, boom, boom.
The chief called over to him, "Dear man,
So you are Columbus then!"
Gloria, victoria, widewidewitt, yippee,
Gloria, victoria, widewidewitt, boom, boom.
Notes
*"Gloria" and "Victoria" (with a "c") are the Spanish words for "Glory, Victory", the German words are "Ruhm" and "Sieg".
**Or: "Da sprang er fröhlich von der Bank" Then he jumped happily off the bench.
Thanks and Acknowledgements
Translated by Monique Palomares and Lisa Yannucci. Photo by Monique of Christopher Columbus statue in Barcelona.
