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Ein Ticktackliedchen - (2012)
Else Lasker-Schüler
for mezzo soprano and piano
Mein Hämmerchen, mein Kämmerchen
Pamm pamm, pumm pumm
pamm pamm, pumm pumm
Mein Schläferchen, mein Käferchen
Pamm pamm, pumm pumm
pamm pamm, pumm pumm
Mein Uhrchen tick, mein Türchen tack
tick tack, tick tack
knackknack, ticktack.2 Pages, circa 1' 40"
Paul Lasker-Schüler
My wee surprise, my little room
Bim bam, bim bam
Bim bam bim bam
My sleepy one, my tiny bug
Bim bam, bim bam
Bim bam bim bam
My moment ticks, my pathway tocks
tick tock, tick clock
knock knock, tick tock
gb
The little sweet nonsense is titled "Ein Ticktackliedchen für Päulchen," and found first in Die gesammelten Gedichte, Leipzig: Verlag der Weißen Bücher, 1917. Else Lasker-Schüler's son Paul (1899-1927) died young, devastating her. His name is often mentioned in her work, and this is perhaps among the earliest, a song for an infant, the "little Paul" of the original title. The setting takes the three verses, and expands into a two part form by repeating the nonsense syllables for the last long vocal line, over a lightly polytonal accompaniment.
The score is available as a free PDF download, though any major commercial performance or recording of the work is prohibited without prior arrangement with the composer. Click on the graphic below for this piano-vocal score.
