Heidenröslein

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Heidenröslein (Rose on the Heath) is a poem by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe.

[edit] Original German

Sah ein Knab' ein Röslein stehn,
Röslein auf der Heiden,
War so jung und morgenschön,
Lief er schnell es nah zu sehn,
Sah's mit vielen Freuden.
Röslein, Röslein, Röslein rot,
Röslein auf der Heiden.

Knabe sprach: "Ich breche dich,
Röslein auf der Heiden."
Röslein sprach: "Ich steche dich,
daß du ewig denkst an mich,
Und ich will's nicht leiden."
Röslein, Röslein, Röslein rot,
Röslein auf der Heiden.

[edit] Significance

It is believed that breaking the rose is a metaphor for a physical / sexual violation, and that the poem is a story about rape.

[edit] External links

Original German text and English translation

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