Songs from the Gallows: Galgenlieder

by Christian Morgenstern

Book Overview

Morgenstern (1871-1914) was a German poet, theosophist, translator and writer of nonsense poems. Often compared with Carroll and Lear, he wrote his first "Galgenlieder" after an outing past Gallows Hill near Potsdon and formed his "fraternal order of the gallows". This book contains about 90 poems.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0300052782
• ISBN13: 9780300052787
• Release Date: January 1993
• Publisher: Yale University Press
• Length: 137 Pages
• Weight: 0.85 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.7" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

A joy in the language

Morgenstern regards the German language as an inspiration and a plaything. He has the wit and playfullness of Lewis Carrol and Edward Lear, but with the darker tone that the title "Gallows Songs" leads you to expect. Sometimes a little difficult -- it's hard to appreciate word play unless you really know the language, but always delightful. You won't regret entering into the world of Korf and Palmstroem.