English Lyrics
(German folk song)
When my father and my mother
Go a-journeying to the fair,
Ach ja! Ach ja!
What if they have no money,
They’re as rich as any there,
Ach ja! Ach ja!
Refrain
Tra la la, tra la la, tra la la la la la la
Tra la la, tra la la, tra la la la la la la
Ach ja! Ach ja!
German Lyrics
Wenn der Vater und die Mutter
In die Kirchweih gehen
Ach ja! Ach ja!
Und haben wir kein Geld,
So hab’n die ander’ Leut,
Ach ja! Ach ja! Refrain
English Translation - Oh yes
If the father and the mother
Go to the church fair
Oh yes! Oh yes!
And we have no money
As have the other people,
Oh yes! Oh yes!
Dance
Formation – Two concentric circles, with partners facing each other
A
- Measures 1-2 – Partners hold hands (one hand) and walk around the circle (optional
bounce step). - Measures 3-4 – On each “Ach Ja,” partners face each other and bow.
- Repeat measures 1-4
B
- Measures 5-8 – Partners join both hands and walk (or gallop) around together.
- Measures 9-10 – On each “Ach Ja,” partners face each other and bow.
Optional:
- Measures 5-6 – R hand swing
- Measures 7-8 – L hand swing
- Measures 9-10 – On each “Ach Ja,” partners face each other and bow.
Version 2
Formation – Two concentric circles, with partners facing each other
A
- Measures 1-2 – Partners hold hands (one hand) and walk around the circle (optional
bounce step).
Measures 3-4 – On each “Ach Ja,” partners face each other and bow.
B
- Measures 5-6 – Partners join both hands side step 4 times (step-close) in one direction.
- Measures 7-8 – Partners side step back in the other direction.
- Measures 9-10 – The inside person moves to the right and claims a new partner as the
game begins again.
See also
- Country: Germany
- Subject: family
- Activity: circle dance
- Form: AB
- Harmony: I, IV, V
- Meter: 4
- Rhythm: anacrusis
- Scale: major
- Source: Handy Play Party Book, Lynn Rohrbough, Co-operative Recreational Service, 1940
YouTube
or purchase here (printables only)
- PDF of song with chords + Lesson ideas
- MIDI file
- Listen to the song
