Swaz Hie Gat Umbe
Carl Orff Lyrics


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SWAZ HIE GAT UMBE
Swaz hie gat umbe, Those who go round and round
daz sint alles megede, are all maidens
die wellent an man they want to do without a man
allen disen sumer gan! Ah! Sla! all summer long. Ah! Sla!




Overall Meaning

The Carl Orff song Swaz Hie Gat Umbe translates to "Those Who Go Round and Round" in English. The opening line "Swaz hie gat umbe" refers to "maidens" who walk around in circles, possibly in dance or celebration, as they do not need men. This line reflects a sense of female empowerment and independence, reflecting the medieval times when women were often oppressed and restricted in terms of their societal roles. The following line "daz sint alles megede" reaffirms that these are all women who are choosing to live their lives without men.


The final line, "Ah! Sla! allen disen sumer gan!" can be translated to "Ah! Sla! all summer long." The song ends with a call for the maidens to continue their celebration through the summer, emphasising the joy and freedom that comes with living life on their own terms.


Overall, Swaz Hie Gat Umbe celebrates the idea of female autonomy and showcases the power of women to make their own choices and have agency over their own lives.


Line by Line Meaning

Swaz hie gat umbe,
Those who go round and round,


daz sint alles megede,
they are all maidens,


die wellent an man
who want to do without a man,


they want to do without a man
who want to do without a man


allen disen sumer gan! Ah! Sla!
All summer long they go! Ah! Sla!




Contributed by Alyssa D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

@utewitt172

Very good! I 've shared it on my Facebook site and I am astonished how well you pronounce the ancient German. Thank you so much, a real fine piece of art!

@Dunaiii

It's not "ancient," it's medieval. :>

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