Children’s song, Germany.
“Der Kuckuck und der Esel (The Cuckoo and The Donkey)” is a humorous and satirical German children’s song that playfully depicts a singing contest between a cuckoo and a donkey, both convinced that they sing better than the other.
Written in 1835 by August Heinrich Hoffmann von Fallersleben, a prominent poet best known for penning the lyrics to the German national anthem, the song is widely interpreted as a lighthearted critique of vanity and misplaced self-confidence. The melody is based on a tune composed by Carl Friedrich Zelter (1758–1832), a key figure in the German Lied tradition and a mentor to Felix Mendelssohn. Though often enjoyed as a simple children’s song, the lyrics reflect a subtle, satirical tone characteristic of Hoffmann von Fallersleben’s style.
According to Maria Augusta von Trapp, the song’s playful nature suggests that “the cuckoo and the donkey must have been friends, otherwise the donkey would have chased the cuckoo away,” highlighting the whimsical and non-aggressive character of their rivalry.
Table of Contents
- Karaoke Video with Lyrics
- The Cuckoo and The Donkey lyrics
- Free karaoke MP3 download
- MP4 Video File | Free Download
- Sheet music with chords in German
- Sheet music with chords in English
- “Der Kuckuck und der Esel” Free Printable PDF with Sheet Music and Lyrics
- “The Cuckoo and The Donkey” Free Printable PDF with sheet Music and lyrics
- Teaching idea & activities
Karaoke Video with Lyrics
The Cuckoo and The Donkey lyrics
English lyrics
The cuckoo and the donkey,
they quarreled one fine day
As to who could sing better,
as to who could sing better
In the lovely month of May,
in the lovely month of May
The cuckoo said, “Hear me sing,”
and so began to call
I can do it better,
but I can do it better,
Said the donkey with “Ee-aw,”
said the donkey with “Ee-aw.”
These sound so sweet and lovely,
one heard them far and wide
They sang so well together,
they sang so well together
“Cuck-oo, Cuck-oo,Ee-aw, Ee-aw.”
“Cuck-oo, Cuck-oo,Ee-aw.”
“Der Kuckuck und der Esel” text
Der Kuckuck und der Esel,
Die hatten großen Streit,
Wer wohl am besten sänge,
Wer wohl am besten sänge,
Zur schönen Maienzeit,
Zur schönen Maienzeit
Der Kuckuck sprach: “Das kann ich!”
Und hub gleich an zu schrei’n.
Ich aber kann es besser!
Ich aber kann es besser!
Fiel gleich der Esel ein,
Fiel gleich der Esel ein.
Das klang so schön und lieblich,
So schön von fern und nah;
Sie sangen alle beide
Sie sangen alle beide
Kuckuck, Kuckuck, i-a, i-a!
Kuckuck, Kuckuck, i-a, i-a!
Free karaoke MP3 download
To download your free instrumental mp3 of this song, click or tap on the following button, then choose “Save link as…”
“Der Kuckuck und der Esel (The Cuckoo and The Donkey)” (instrumental, 1:24 – 4/4 – 185 bpm)
Commercial License (karaoke)
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MP4 Video File | Free Download
To watch the karaoke video of this song on your mobile device, click on the following link to download the video file (mp4 format).
The Cuckoo and The Donkey | Free mp4 Video File Download
Sheet music with chords in German
To save this free music sheet of “Der Kuckuck und der Esel” to your computer, right click (or tap and hold, on mobile devices) and choose “Save Image As…”.
Sheet music with chords in English
To save this free music sheet of “The Cuckoo and The Donkey” to your computer, right click and choose “Save Image As…”.
“Der Kuckuck und der Esel” Free Printable PDF with Sheet Music and Lyrics
To download a ready-to-print PDF of this song for music activities with a music sheet, lyrics and a drawing for kids to paint, right click (or tap and hold) on the following link, then choose “Save link as…”.
“Der Kuckuck und der Esel” free PDF download – Singing Bell
“The Cuckoo and The Donkey” Free Printable PDF with sheet Music and lyrics
To download a ready-to-print PDF of this song for music activities with a music sheet, lyrics and a drawing for kids to paint, right click (or tap and hold) on the following link, then choose “Save link as…”.
“The Cuckoo and The Donkey” free PDF download – Singing Bell
Teaching idea & activities
Use a glockenspiel or the music instrument you teach (e.g. piano or guitar) to accompany the song with chords (C and G major).
Agree with the children to change the chord every time you make a signal (you could use Kodaly hand gestures).
As the tune is harmonized with just two chords, this is one of the songs that are suitable to practice them.
Additionally, you can transpose the song and learn the two basic chords (tonic and dominant) in a different key signature.
And, of course, this is a funny song you can sing and dance dedicated at the month of May!
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