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Todt zum Chorherren: HErr Chorpfaff habt ihr g'sungen vor, Viel süß Gesang in euwerm Chor: So mercken auff der Pfeiffen Schall, Verkündet euch deß Todes Fall. |
Death to the Canon Mr. Canon, have you lead the singing; many sweet songs in your choir, then notice the sound of the fife. It announces to you the case of death. |
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Der Chorherr: ICh sange alß ein Chorherr frey Von Stimmen manche Melodey, Deß Todes Pfeiff dönt dem unglych, Sie hat so sehr erschrecket mich. |
The Canon. I sang as a free canon many voices and melodies. Death's fife sounds different; It has terrified me so much. |
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| Holbein's dance of death. The canon's cape is made of square pieces of fur laced with animals' tails. |
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| Holbein's dance of death alphabet |
Canons are priests attached to a cathedral. The canons are so called because they lead a rule bound life, "vita canonica".
The canon is dressed in a cape of fur adorned with animals' tails, just like he is in Holbein's great dance of death (picture to the left) and Holbein's initial L (picture to the right).
In London's dance of death, Death mentions the canon's »Amys of gris«, and in Copenhagen's dance of death, Death makes a comment on the canon's »grey fur cloak« — presumably a cloak that's furred with grey fur.
The dialogue between Death and the Canon is reminiscent of Heidelberg's dance of death.
Dances of death
Basel
Canon