Rose Jermusyk
The Devil With the Three Golden Hairs
00:14:15 :: 00:15:01
DEVIL’S GRANDMOTHER
Why does the fountain
in the marketplace
(marketplace) that used
to flow with wine (flow
with wine) no longer
flow? Not even with
water! Oh, why has
the fountain gone dry?
DEVIL
There’s a toad under
a stone there; if you
kill it, wine will flow
there. Wake me again,
Woman, if you dare.
DEVIL’S GRANDMOTHER
Why does the dear tree
on the city’s hill
(city’s hill) that gave
of gold apples (gold
apples) no longer
bear? Not even one
green leaf! Oh, why does
the dear tree not grow?
DEVIL
There’s a mouse gnawing
a root there; if you
kill it, gold will grow
there. Wake me again,
Woman, if you dare.
DEVIL’S GRANDMOTHER
Why does the big stream
have a ferryman
(ferryman) who must
cross back and forth (back
and forth) unable
to rest with no one
ever coming to
relive him his work?
DEVIL
Forget the rhyme or
reason, palm the work
off on another.
Now, if you wake me
again, Woman, I
will slap your ears down.
MORAL
Send no man down to
the devil, if you
would to go yourself,
and then believe when
he tells the secret
to his wealth. Send none
to hell but yourself.