| Text by Goethe, translated into Russian by Strugovshchkov. English singing translation from the Peter Dawson recording, translator uncredited. Once, long ago, a King lived Who had such a fine fat flea ....a flea .....a flea And cherished him as dearly As though a son were he. Ha ha ha... a flea ...a flea He sent for his own tailor Who came to court in haste "Now cut my flea a doublet And cloth him in good taste... in very good taste." ...a flea ...a flea ...a flea of taste! Our flea is dressed in velvet And silks of golden hue A ribbon o'er his shoulder A jewelled order too... ...a flea! ...a flea! A minister they made him A diamond star he wore And all his poor relations Got orders galore... The courtiers, male and female, They were no longer gay. The queen and all her ladies Were pestered night and day, ha ha! To scratch they were forbidden, They had to bear the prick. But we, when we are bitten Know how to scratch... and kick! |