Basel: The Canon

The Canon

Todt zum Chorherren: HErr Chorpfaff habt jhr 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.

Der Chorherr: ICh sange alß ein Chorherr frey Von Stimmen manche Melodey, Deß Todes Pfeiff dönt dem vnglych, 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.

Holbein's dance of death. The canon's cape is made of square pieces of fur laced with animals' tails.

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 an almuce, 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 Paris' danse macabre, Death mentions the »a[u]musse grise« (grey almuce) of the canon; in London's dance of death, Death mentions the canon's »Amys of gris« (i.e. almuce of grey [fur]), 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 block book and other versions of the high German dance of death.

English translation from Beck, 1852
Death to the Canon.	The Canon's reply.
So, Canon, you have loud and long Been chaunting out your choral song; Now harken to my pipe so clear, Announcing that your death is here.	Yes, I have sung as canon free Full many a grave sweet melody; But death's pipe such discord has made, That I'm sore startled and afraid.
Translation from Hess, 1841
Death to the Canon. Sir quire monk have you been singing Much sweet song, in your choir Hear now the sound of the pipe Announces your for death be ripe.	Answer of the Canon. I sung as a canon free Of voices many of melody, The pipe of death not equal be, There fore so much it frightned me.

Variants

Various Artists

Merian (1621)

Chovin (1744)

Büchel (1768)

Büchel (1773)

Feyerabend (1806)

Hess (1841)

Beck (1852)

Stuckert (1858)