The Peasant

Peasant

Ludewig Suhl	Translation
der Tod Komm Landsmann an den Tanz von Müh und Arbeit heiß So schwitzest du zuletzt den kalten Todesschweiß Laß andre seyn bemüht mit Pflügen, Dreschen, Graben, Dein saurer Lebenstag soll Feyerabend haben.	Death Come, farmer, to the dance, hot from toil and work. Then you will finally sweat the cold sweat of Death. Let others be busy plowing, threshing, digging, Your hard life's day shall come to closing-time.

der Bauer Ich trug mit Ungemach des Tages Last und Noth Und aß vom Schweiß bedeckt mein schwer verdientes Brodt,(1) Doch da mein Führer mich zur Ruhe denkt zu bringen So kan ich wohl vergnügt das Consumatum singen.	The Peasant I bore the burden and hardship of the day with difficulty and ate my hard-earned bread covered in sweat.(1) But since my guide intends to bring me to rest I can happily sing the Consumatum.(2)

Suhl follows Jacob von Melle and Nathanael Schlott in starting the dialogue with "Komm": »Komm Landsmann an den Tanz«, whereas the later sources (and the painting itself) writes: »Her, Landsmann, an den Tantz«.

Thomas Nugent
XLII. Death to the peasant. Sweating with heat and toil all day, Peasant, I oft have heard you say, You'd think yourself at ease and free, Were I to come and visit thee.	XLIII. The Peasant's answer. Yes, Death, to thee I made my moan, To you, kind sir, and you alone; With labour hard and sweat of brow, I earn the bread I live on now.(1) To-day I little thought to see A friend to ease me, kind as thee. Then take me, sir, without controul, And Lord have mercy on my soul.

Footnotes: (1) (2)

Genesis 3:19, "In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground;".

Consummatum est . . .: a Latin phrase meaning "it is finished". It is often associated with the last words of Jesus on the cross, "It is finished" (John 19:30)