I fahr auf der Schneckenpost
This children's song can be sung as a round or not. It's also sung in Germany.
I fahr auf der Schneckenpost
I Go by the Mail Coach
Round
Round
(German)
(English)
I fahr, i fahr, i fahr auf der Post,
fahr auf der Schneckenpost,
die mir kein Kreuzer kost,
i fahr, i fahr, i fahr auf der Post.
I fahr, i fahr, i fahr auf der Post,
spann' mir sechs Schimmeln ein,
i will der Postknecht sein,
i fahr, i fahr, i fahr auf der Post.
I go, I go, I go by the mail coach,
I go with the coach mail (1),
It doesn't cost me a kreutzer (2),
I go, I go, I go by the mail coach.
I go, I go, I go by the mail coach,
Hitch up six white horses for me,
I want to be the postilion (3),
I go, I go, I go by the mail coach.
Notes
(1) The word was coined when the mail traveled by coach. It would take quite a long time to be delivered, even longer if any mishap such as a broken wheel or bad weather happened to slow the coach.
(2) Kreutzer: old coin and unit of currency. The word comes from "kreutz" (cross) because of the cross or double cross on the "heads" side of the coin.
(3) "A postilion or postillion guides a horse-drawn coach or post chaise while mounted on the horse or one of a pair of horses. By contrast, a coachman controls the horses from the vehicle itself." -Wikipedia
This song might be based on an older song, "Auf dem Postwagen" -from a "handwritten song book from 1710" (near the bottom of the page) -unless it's the other way around!
Thanks!
Thanks and Acknowledgements
Translated by Monique Palomares.
