La casita que hizo Conchita

This is the House that Jack Built

Anon

Spanish words by Timothy Adès
This is the House that Jack Built
This is the house that Jack built. This is the malt That lay in the house that Jack built. This is the rat, That ate the malt That lay in the house that Jack built. This is the cat, That killed the rat, That ate the malt That lay in the house that Jack built. This is the dog, That worried the cat, That killed the rat, That ate the malt That lay in the house that Jack built. This is the cow with the crumpled horn, That tossed the dog, That worried the cat, That killed the rat, That ate the malt That lay in the house that Jack built. This is the maiden all forlorn, That milked the cow with the crumpled horn, That tossed the dog, That worried the cat, That killed the rat, That ate the malt That lay in the house that Jack built. This is the man all tattered and torn, That kissed the maiden all forlorn, That milked the cow with the crumpled horn, That tossed the dog, That worried the cat, That killed the rat, That ate the malt That lay in the house that Jack built. This is the priest all shaven and shorn, That married the man all tattered and torn, That kissed the maiden all forlorn, That milked the cow with the crumpled horn, That tossed the dog, That worried the cat, That killed the rat, That ate the malt That lay in the house that Jack built. This is the cock that crowed in the morn, That waked the priest all shaven and shorn, That married the man all tattered and torn, That kissed the maiden all forlorn, That milked the cow with the crumpled horn, That tossed the dog, That worried the cat, That killed the rat, That ate the malt That lay in the house that Jack built. This is the farmer sowing the corn, That kept the cock that crowed in the morn. That waked the priest all shaven and shorn, That married the man all tattered and torn, That kissed the maiden all forlorn, That milked the cow with the crumpled horn, That tossed the dog, That worried the cat, That killed the rat, That ate the malt That lay in the house that Jack built.
La casita que hizo Conchita
Esta casita la hizo Conchita. Esta es la malta surtida en la dicha casita que hizo Conchita. Esta es la atroz ratoncita que almuerza la malta surtida en la dicha casita que hizo Conchita. Esta es la gata que mata a la atroz ratoncita que almuerza la malta surtida en la dicha casita que hizo Conchita. Esta es la perra que pica a la gata que mata a la atroz ratoncita que almuerza la malta surtida en la dicha casita que hizo Conchita. Esta es la vaca con cuerna chafada que lanza a la perra que pica a la gata que mata a la atroz ratoncita que almuerza la malta surtida en la dicha casita que hizo Conchita. Esta es la chica funesta lechera a la vaca con cuerna chafada que lanza a la perra que pica a la gata que mata a la atroz ratoncita que almuerza la malta surtida en la dicha casita que hizo Conchita. Este es el hombre rasgado quien besa a la chica funesta lechera a la vaca con cuerna chafada que lanza a la perra que pica a la gata que mata la atroz ratoncita que almuerza la malta surtida en la dicha casita que hizo Conchita. Este es el cura rapado quien casa a aquel hombre rasgado quien besa a la chica funesta lechera a la vaca con cuerna chafada que lanza a la perra que pica a la gata que mata a la atroz ratoncita que almuerza la malta surtida en la dicha casita que hizo Conchita. Este es el gallo que canta temprano, despierta a aquel cura rapado quien casa a aquel hombre rasgado quien besa a la chica funesta lechera a la vaca con cuerna chafada que lanza a la perra que pica a la gata que mata a la atroz ratoncita que almuerza la malta surtida en la dicha casita que hizo Conchita. Hay un granjero quien siembra buen grano quien cuida aquel gallo que canta temprano, despierta a aquel cura rapado quien casa a aquel hombre rasgado quien besa a la chica funesta lechera a la vaca con cuerna chafada que lanza a la perra que pica a la gata que mata a la atroz ratoncita que almuerza la malta surtida en la dicha casita que hizo Conchita.
A popular English nursery rhyme, more background on Wikipedia

Translation: Copyright © Timothy Adès

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Lenten Light

Categories
French

Guillaume Cingal: Lenten Light

Guillaume Cingal

Comme février soudain rend Nostalgique, avec sa lumière. Au Trivial Pursuit on apprend Que le lapin a six paupières.
Lenten Light
Lenten light: sudden tricks: our nostalgic habit. Trivial Pursuit says: six eyelids on a rabbit.
Guillaume Cingal on Twitter

Translation: Copyright © Timothy Adès

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qout valet stipes canis in fenestra?

How much is that doggie in the window?

Bob Merrill (1921-98)

His English, my Latin
How much is that doggie in the window?
How much is that doggie in the window? The one with the waggly tail How much is that doggie in the window? I do hope that doggie's for sale. I must take a trip to California And leave my poor sweetheart alone If he has a dog, he won't be lonesome And the doggie will have a good home. How much is that doggie in the window? The one with the waggly tail How much is that doggie in the window? I do hope that doggie's for sale. I read in the papers there are robbers With flashlights that shine in the dark My love needs a doggie to protect him And scare them away with one bark. I don't want a bunny or a kitty I don't want a parrot that talks I don't want a bowl of little fishies He can't take a goldfish for a walk. How much is that doggie in the window? The one with the waggly tail How much is that doggie in the window? I do hope that doggie's for sale.
qout valet stipes canis in fenestra?
quot valet stipes canis in fenestra? vibrat, heus! caudam, quatit iste motam: quot valet stipes? mihi fit cupido venditionis. urbs petenda abstat procul Angelorum: mox procum nolens miserum relinquam. cui comes gratus canis adstet, ipse sospes et hospes. fertur, ut lexi, facibus latrones lucidis noctu peragrare pravos; sit proco custos canis, aptus hostem pellere latrans. displicent felesque cuniculique et piscium in sino pecus et loquaces psittaci. non is comes ambulanti, flave Carassi! quot valet stipes canis in fenestra? vibrat, heus! caudam, quatit iste motam: quot valet stipes? mihi fit cupido venditionis.

Translation: Copyright © Timothy Adès

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I saw a Jolly Huntsman

I saw a Jolly Hunter

Charles Causley (1917-2003)

I saw a Jolly Hunter
I saw a jolly hunter With a jolly gun Walking in the country In the jolly sun. In the jolly meadow Sat a jolly hare. Saw the jolly hunter. Took jolly care. Hunter jolly eager - Sight of jolly prey. Forgot gun pointing Wrong jolly way. Jolly hunter jolly head Over heels gone. Jolly old safety catch Not jolly on. Bang went the jolly gun. Hunter jolly dead. Jolly hare got clean away. Jolly good, I said.
I saw a Jolly Huntsman
I saw a jolly huntsman With a jolly gun, Savouring a country Walk in jolly sun. On a jolly grassy knoll Jolly rabbit sat, Saw your jolly huntsman, Didn't fancy that. Huntsman jolly champing, Marksmanship in play, Forgot gun was pointing Wrong jolly way. Huntsman topsy-turvy, Hyst'ron-protty-ron, Jolly ward-lock guard-catch Not jolly on. Bang, jolly gunshot! Huntsman jolly laid Out for good. Fur got away. Jolly good, I said.

Translation: Copyright © Timothy Adès

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venatorem hilarem vidi

I saw a Jolly Hunter

Charles Causley (1917-2003)

His English, my Latin
I saw a Jolly Hunter
I saw a jolly hunter With a jolly gun Walking in the country In the jolly sun. In the jolly meadow Sat a jolly hare. Saw the jolly hunter. Took jolly care. Hunter jolly eager - Sight of jolly prey. Forgot gun pointing Wrong jolly way. Jolly hunter jolly head Over heels gone. Jolly old safety catch Not jolly on. Bang went the jolly gun. Hunter jolly dead. Jolly hare got clean away. Jolly good, I said.
venatorem hilarem vidi
venatorem hilarem vidi, hilarissima armatum pharetra, rus hilare ingredi; fundit sol hilaris lucem. hilarissimus in prato lepus est nempe hilarissimo: venatorem hilarem conspicit anxius. o quam res hilaris! praedam hilarissimus urgens ille vagorum immemor arcuum delapsus subita clade hilarissima, cui tutela hilari nulla periculo. arcus prosiluit vis hilarissimi; venator periit morte hilarissima; evasit leporis forma hilarissimi; delectans hilari carmine gaudeo.

Translation: Copyright © Timothy Adès

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A selection from 'Zoo Poems'.

Ogden Nash (1902-71)

His English, my Latin.
A selection from 'Zoo Poems'.
Some primal TERMITE knocked on wood And tasted it, and found it good, And that is why your cousin May Fell through the parlor floor today. THE COW is of the bovine ilk; One end is moo, the other milk. THE RHINO is a homely beast, For human eyes he’s not a feast. Farewell, farewell, you old rhinoceros, I’ll stare at something less prepocerous. I don’t mind EELS/ Except as meals./ And the way they feels. The POULTRIES Let’s think of eggs./ They have no legs. Chickens come from eggs/ But they have legs. The plot thickens;/ Eggs come from chickens, But have no legs under ’em./What a conundrum! You get some words regarding mice, You get a kitty in a trice. By two a.m. or thereabouts, The mouse is in, the CAT is out. It dawns upon you, in your cot, The mouse is silent, the cat is not. Instead of kitty, says your spouse, You should have got another mouse. The truth I do not stretch or shove When I state that the DOG is full of love. I’ve also found, by actual test, A wet dog is the lovingest. Behold the DUCK. It does not cluck. A cluck it lacks. It quacks. It is specially fond of a puddle or pond. When it dines or sups, It bottoms ups. The OYSTER’s a confusing suitor; It’s masc., and fem., and even neuter. At times it wonders, may what come, Am I husband, wife, or chum. The Lord in His wisdom made the FLY, And then forgot to tell us why. The song of CANARIES Never varies, And when they’re moulting They’re pretty revolting. The CAMEL has a single hump; The dromedary, two; Or else the other way around, I’m never sure. Are you? In the world of MULES There are no rules The PANTHER is like a leopard except that it hasn't been peppered. If you should behold a panther crouch, prepare to say "ouch". Better yet, if called by a panther, don't anther.
IPSE SCRIPSI pristinus est tarmes quia delectabile lignum, nunc tua perrupit Maia propinqua trabem. vacca genusque boum speciemque bovaria fertur; mugit ut ante pecus, pone homo mulget item. rhinoceros, oculis hominum non dulcis, abesto, foede! neque inspiciam postera posta prius. non piget anguillae. nihilominus haec duo juro: non sinere ad mensam, non adhibere manum. ova cano: pede egent. pedem habens avis editur ovis, ova ave. quid? pede egent. o dubia Oedipodis! uxor adest, domus est; mus denique. verba locuta in murem; rapide constat habere catum. nocte domi stat mus; catus errat. inhaeret imago: dum somnis careas, hic canit, ille tacet. ‘stulte! catum fallis damnosum’ ait uxor ‘adeptus : mus instar melius muris emendus erat.’ est canis omnis amans. nec fit violentia vero. hoc ego cognovi: plus canis udus amat. non anas ut gallina crepit; petit illa lacunas. quotquot edunt anates, exposuere nates! ostrea amans dubia est, quia mascula, femina, neutra est : ‘sumne vir, an mulier, sumne sodalis ego?’ musca opus est Domini. cur sit, memorare nequimus: mente Creatoris justificare cadit. non, fringilla, places. nunquam tua carmina mutas; plurima olet toto putrida pluma solo. unus utri tumor an duo sint, ego nescio vere: quotque camelus habet, dic mihi, quotque dromas. DEFICIVNT MVLIS RATIO LEX REGVLA NORMA es pardus, panthera, sed haud maculatur imago! ~ si panthera adhibet membra, ululare para ; murmura pantherae tua parce referre vocanti ; ~ si salit illa, time ; si sonat illa, tace.

Translation: Copyright © Timothy Adès

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Said the Angel, ‘Strange, I’ll say, an angel.’

Être Ange c’est Étrange dit l’Ange

Jacques Prévert (1900-77)

Être Ange c’est Étrange dit l’Ange
Être Ange C’est Étrange Dit l’Ange Être Âne C’est étrâne Dit l’Âne Cela ne veut rien dire Dit l’Ange en haussant les ailes Pourtant Si étrange veut dire quelque chose étrâne est plus étrange qu’étrange dit l’Âne Étrange est ! Dit l’Ange en tapant du pied Étranger vous-même Dit l’Âne Et il s’envole.
Said the Angel, ‘Strange, I’ll say, an angel.’
Said the Angel, ‘Strange, I’ll say, an angel.’ Said the Mule, ‘Strmew, I’ll say, a mule.’ ‘That’s nonsense’, said the Angel, shrugging his wings. ‘Yes but if Strange makes any sense, Strmew is stranger than Strange’ said the Mule. ‘Strange, yeah’ said the Angel, tapping his foot. ‘Stranger yourself’ said the Mule and flew away.

Translation: Copyright © Timothy Adès

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The Sardine

La sardine

Robert Desnos (1900-45)

La sardine
Une sardine de Royan Nageait dans l’eau de la Gironde. Le ciel est grand, la terre est ronde, J’irai me baigner à Royan, Avec la sardine, Avec la Gironde, Vive la Marine! Et salut au monde!
The Sardine
A sardine from Tamar or Tavy Went for a swim in the Fal. The sky is big, the earth’s a ball. I’ll go for a swim in the Tavy, The Tamar, the Fal, With sardine and all. Hooray for the Navy! What ho, one and all!
in 'Chantefables/Storysongs', Agenda Editions

Translation: Copyright © Timothy Adès

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The Leopard

Le léopard

Robert Desnos (1900-45)

from the book Storysongs/Chantefables: Agenda Editions
Le léopard
Si tu vas dans les bois, Prends garde au léopard. Il miaule à mi-voix Et vient de nulle part. Au soir, quand il ronronne, Un gai rossignol chante Et la forêt béante Les écoute et s’étonne, S’étonne qu'en ses bois Vienne le léopard Qui ronronne à mi-voix Et vient de nulle part.
The Leopard
If you go in the wood Watch out for the leopard He furtively mewed He dropped in and scarpered At night when he purrs Sweet nightingales sing And the forest infers It’s a wonderful thing To think that this wood Is the haunt of the leopard Who furtively purred Who dropped in and scarpered.

Translation: Copyright © Timothy Adès

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My little cat

J’ai un petit chat

Maurice Carême (1899-1978)

J’ai un petit chat
J’ai un petit chat Petit comme ça. Je l’appelle Orange, Je ne sais pourquoi. Jamaus il ne mange Ni souris ni rat C’est un chat étrange Aimant le nougat Et le chocolat. Mais c’est pour cela Dit Tante Solange Qu’il ne grandit pas.
My little cat
My little cat Is little as *that*. He’s called Orange Pie, It rhymes, that’s why. He never will try A mouse or a rat, An odd sort of cat Who likes nougat And… chocolate. Ah yes! But that, Says my Auntie Vi, Is why he’s fat, And isn't high.

Translation: Copyright © Timothy Adès

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