Spiele
by Peter Maiwald
as set to music (in German, and translated into English) by Leonard Lehrman, op. 56
Copyright 1980 (2') Spring 1980
for Soprano/Tenor with Piano/Clarinet/Marimba/Guitar

prem. by Soprano & Piano: Elizabeth Parcells & composer, Augsburg 7/21/80
[posted on line at http://www.elizabethparcells.com/Music.htm#Lehrman]

prem. w/Clarinet: Deborah Cook & David Glaser, Radio Brussels, Spring 1981
prem. w/Tenor: Klaus Neumcke & composer, Berlin 7/14-15/85
prem. by Soprano & Guitar: Beth Griffith & Oren Fader,
The Composer's Voice, Vox Novus, at Collective Unconscious, Manhattan 11/1/05


Spiele
by Peter Maiwald

Die Kinder spielen am Gehteig ein altest spiel:
die einen haben wenig, die andern haben viel.
Und die nur wenig haben, müssen alles tun.
Und die am meisten haben dürfen sich ausruhn.

Die Kinder spielen am Gehsteig ein neues Spiel:
es haben alle alles, es haben alle viel.
Und die, die alles haben müssen alles tun.
Und die, die nichts mehr haben, die gibt es nicht mehr nun.


English translation by Leonard Lehrman:

The children play on the sidewalk an old, old game:
Whilte some have very little, some others have a lot.
And those who have but little must do everything.
And those with lots have time, but only to relax.

The children play on the sidewalk a brand-new game:
Now everyone has everything, and that means a lot.
For having everything means doing everything.
And those who have got nothing, well, they just are no more.