Freiheitsbüchlein
Walter Mossmann Lyrics
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In des Ladens Ecken
Nahm es rasch, es durchzuseh'n
Las es auch vorm Schlafengehn
Doch mit tausend Schrecken!
Büchlein, Büchlein, Büchlein keck
Aus des Ladens Ecken!
'S Büchlein aus dem Laden!"
Büchlein lachte: "O, des Glücks!
Dann liest man mich hinterrücks
Und das bringt nie Schaden!"
Büchlein, Büchlein, Büchlein keck
Büchlein aus dem Laden!
Und der gute Fürst verbot
'S Büchlein aus dem Lande
Büchlein aber litt nicht Not
Ging recht ab wie warmes Brot
Ging von Hand zu Hande!
Büchlein, Büchlein, Büchlein keck
Büchlein bleibt im Lande!
The first stanza of Walter Mossmann's Freiheitsbüchlein describes a prince discovering a small book hidden in the corner of a shop. Curious, he picked it up to peruse. Later, as he tried to sleep, he read the book with a thousand fears. In the second stanza, the king, threatened by the book’s content, ordered it to be suppressed. But the book laughed off the order, asserting that it would continue to be read in secret and never cause harm. In the final stanza, the benevolent prince banned the book from the land, but it was too late as it had already spread from hand to hand. Despite the ban, the book remained in circulation and available to the people.
The song Freiheitsbüchlein is a powerful symbol of the power of ideas against oppression. It demonstrates that even the most modest publication can harbor great truths, and that by spreading information and ideas, it is possible to undermine even the most powerful oppressors. The small size of the book implies that great power can be contained in small packages.
Line by Line Meaning
Sah ein Fürst ein Büchlein steh'n
A prince saw a book standing
In des Ladens Ecken
In the corner of a store
Nahm es rasch, es durchzuseh'n
He quickly took it to peruse
Las es auch vorm Schlafengehn
He read it before going to bed
Doch mit tausend Schrecken!
But with a thousand shocks!
Büchlein, Büchlein, Büchlein keck
Little book, little book, little book bold
Aus des Ladens Ecken!
Out of the corner of the store!
König sprach: "Ich unterdrück
The king said, "I'll suppress
'S Büchlein aus dem Laden!"
This little book from the shop!"
Büchlein lachte: "O, des Glücks!
The little book laughed,"Oh, what luck!
Dann liest man mich hinterrücks
Then people will read me secretly
Und das bringt nie Schaden!"
And that will never do harm!"
Büchlein, Büchlein, Büchlein keck
Little book, little book, little book bold
Büchlein aus dem Laden!
Little book out of the shop!
Und der gute Fürst verbot
And the good prince forbade
'S Büchlein aus dem Lande
This little book from the land
Büchlein aber litt nicht Not
But the little book did not suffer
Ging recht ab wie warmes Brot
It went straightaway like hot bread
Ging von Hand zu Hande!
It passed from hand to hand!
Büchlein, Büchlein, Büchlein keck
Little book, little book, little book bold
Büchlein bleibt im Lande!
Little book remains in the land!
Contributed by Landon M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.