Bleibach, The child

The child

Death to the child
Tott Zum Kinndt. Dissen rothen äpffel gib ich dir, komb mein Kindt und tantz mit mir, Den vortantz(1) du billich haben must, weill das unschuldt kleydt tragen thust.	Death to the Child. This red apple I give to you. Come, my child, and dance with me! You must have the lead dance(1) of course, because you wear the dress of innocence.
The child
Antwort. Den rothen Apffel kannst Du mir doch schenken Obschon ich ans' Tantzen nicht will denken. Ein wenig mit mir habe Geduld, Zu sterben hab' ich noch nicht verschuld.	Answer. You can give me the red apple, even though I don't want to think about dancing. Be a little patient with me, I dont yet deserve to die.

It is unusual that the lead dance (Vortantz) goes to the child, but if nothing else it shows that the dance begins right here on the south side of the room.

Footnotes: (1)

Opening dance. . .: A "Vortantz" is a dance at the beginning by the first (leading) couple, who open the dance.

Normally, Death bestows this honor on the Pope, who is the most powerful man in the world, or on the young woman who loves to dance on a daily basis (sometimes they both get the "honor").