Bolle reiste jüngst zu Pfingsten (Bolle made a trip on whitsun) is a folk song in the Berlin dialect. The song mocks the stereotype of Berliners as unrestrictedly revelrous.
According to music professor the song is of the type common in German-speaking countries (compare to "O du lieber Augustin"). (ed.): Mutter, der Mann mit dem Koks ist da. Berliner Gassenhauer – mit Noten. Leipzig: Deutscher Verlag für Musik 1977 The song makes references to Pankow which was a suburb of Berlin in the middle of the 19th century. At that time it was a common conduct for people from Berlin to board a Kremser van – the Berlin variant of a charabanc – to drive out of town to one of the inns, in the case of this song one of the many around the Schönholzer Heide park that were a popular destination for day-trippers.
The name Bolle (meaning "onion" in Berlin dialect) refers to an indeterminate person, and there is no evidence that it refers to the Berlin merchant or hairdresser .
As common for a folk song, there are a number of variants in wording and the number of verses. The song is also changed deliberately when used to make a political statement by using the refrain "but whatever happened, Bolle had his fun" ().
Text Bolle reiste jüngst zu Pfingsten, Nach Pankow war sein Ziel; Da verlor er seinen Jüngsten Janz plötzlich im Jewühl; 'Ne volle halbe Stunde Hat er nach ihm jespürt. Aber dennoch hat sich Bolle Janz köstlich amüsiert.
In Pankow jab's keen Essen, In Pankow jab's keen Bier, War allet uffjefressen Von fremden Leuten hier. Nich' ma' 'ne Butterstulle Hat man ihm reserviert! Aber dennoch hat sich Bolle Janz köstlich amüsiert.
Auf der Schönholzer Heide, Da jab's 'ne Keilerei, Und Bolle, jar nich feige, War mittenmang dabei, Hat's Messer rausjezogen Und fünfe massakriert. Aber dennoch hat sich Bolle Janz köstlich amüsiert.
Es fing schon an zu tagen, Als er sein Heim erblickt. Das Hemd war ohne Kragen, Das Nasenbein zerknickt, Das rechte Auge fehlte, Das linke marmoriert. Aber dennoch hat sich Bolle Janz köstlich amüsiert.
Als er nach Haus jekommen, Da ging's ihm aber schlecht, Da hat ihn seine Olle janz mörderisch verdrescht! 'Ne volle halbe Stunde Hat sie auf ihm poliert. Aber dennoch hat sich Bolle Janz köstlich amüsiert.
Und Bolle wollte sterben, Er hat sich's überlegt: Er hat sich uff die Schienen Der Kleinbahn druffjelegt; Die Kleinbahn hat Verspätung, Und vierzehn Tage druff, Da fand man unsern Bolle Als Dörrjemüse uff.
Und Bolle wurd' begraben, in einer alten Kist'. Der Pfarrer sagte 'Amen' und warf ihn uff 'n Mist. Die Leute klatschten Beifall, und gingen dann nach Haus. Und nun ist die Jeschichte von uns'rem Bolle aus!Text at ingeb.org"D. 'Bolle reiste jüngst zu Pfingsten, liederlexikon.de Bolle made a trip on whitsun, to Pankow he was heading, arring in the milling crowd, he lost his youngst at once a full half hour then he searched for him around, but whatever happened Bolle had his fun.
Pankow had no food, Pankow had no beer, it's been all eaten up, by some folks that were there, not even bread and butter had been left for him, but whatever happened, Bolle had his fun.
While on the Schönholz parc a big brawl started right, and Bolle did not faint went right into the crowd, he came to draw his knife massacred of them five, but whatever happened, Bolle had his fun.
Next morning broke already when he arrived at home his shirt had not its collar, his nose had quite a kink, his left eye looked all missing, his right eye 's black and blue, but whatever happened, Bolle had his fun.
So when he returned back home he did not look alright, an so his ol' missus started to wallop him dead right a full half hour then she beaten him along but whatever happened, Bolle had his fun.
So Bolle wanted to die, went to the idea straight, he lay himself on the tracks waiting for the Kleinbahn train, the Kleinbahn was all late, and a fortnight later, when Bolle had been found, he looked like dried fruit does.
So Bolle had a funeral lay in an old box coffin, the pastor just said 'amen' when he dumped the remains, the people gave applause before returning home, and so this Bolle story has finally to end.
Melody
Source
References
Further reading "Bolle reiste jüngst zu Pfingsten" by Tobias Widmaier (2011), Populäre und traditionelle Lieder. (in German)
External links