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The Breitmann Ballads
The Breitmann Ballads

Chapter IV · Chapter 4

Chapter 4 of The Breitmann Ballads is here in full — 161 sentences across 33 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for The Breitmann Ballads
Context Illustration Reading 1/32 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Und vhen der crim night waechter Says all of dis foon moost shtop, I oop mit mein oomberella, Und schlog him ober de kop.
I leaf him like tead on de bavemend, Und roosh droo a darklin' lane, Dill moonlighd und tisdand musik, Pring me roundt to my soul again.
Und I sits all oonder de linden, De hearts-leaf linden dree; Und I dink of de quick gevanisht lofe Dat vent like de vind from me.
Und I voonders in mine dipsyhood, If a damsel or dream vas she!
Dis life is all a lindens Mit holes dat show de plue, Und pedween de finite pranches Cooms Himmel-light shinin' troo.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

The Breitmann Ballads

Chapter IV · Chapter 4

Chapter 4 of The Breitmann Ballads is here in full — 161 sentences across 33 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/32 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
Und vhen der crim night waechter Says all of dis foon moost shtop, I oop mit mein oomberella, Und schlog him ober de kop.
Line 2
I leaf him like tead on de bavemend, Und roosh droo a darklin' lane, Dill moonlighd und tisdand musik, Pring me roundt to my soul again.
Line 3
Und I sits all oonder de linden, De hearts-leaf linden dree; Und I dink of de quick gevanisht lofe Dat vent like de vind from me.
Line 4
Und I voonders in mine dipsyhood, If a damsel or dream vas she!
Line 5
Dis life is all a lindens Mit holes dat show de plue, Und pedween de finite pranches Cooms Himmel-light shinin' troo.

Learner Dictionary

These definitions explain words found in the current reading and keep every example grounded in its original sentence.

Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, and audio.

Dill noun US /dɪl/

aromatic Old World herb having aromatic threadlike foliage and seeds used as seasoning

From this reading “I leaf him like tead on de bavemend, Und roosh droo a darklin' lane, Dill moonlighd und tisdand musik, Pring me roundt to my soul again.”

dink noun US /dɪŋk/

a couple who both have careers and no children (an acronym for dual income no kids)

From this reading “Und I sits all oonder de linden, De hearts-leaf linden dree; Und I dink of de quick gevanisht lofe Dat vent like de vind from me.”

dis noun US /dɪs/

(Roman mythology) god of the underworld; counterpart of Greek Hades

From this reading “Und vhen der crim night waechter Says all of dis foon moost shtop, I oop mit mein oomberella, Und schlog him ober de kop.”

finite adjective US /ˈfaɪnaɪt/

bounded or limited in magnitude or spatial or temporal extent

From this reading “Dis life is all a lindens Mit holes dat show de plue, Und pedween de finite pranches Cooms Himmel-light shinin' troo.”

holes noun US /hoʊlz/

plural of “hole” — an opening into or through something

From this reading “Dis life is all a lindens Mit holes dat show de plue, Und pedween de finite pranches Cooms Himmel-light shinin' troo.”

linden noun US /ˈlɪndən/

soft light-colored wood of any of various linden trees; used in making crates and boxes and in carving and millwork

From this reading “Und I sits all oonder de linden, De hearts-leaf linden dree; Und I dink of de quick gevanisht lofe Dat vent like de vind from me.”

mit noun US /ˈeˈmaɪˈtiː/

an engineering university in Cambridge

From this reading “Und vhen der crim night waechter Says all of dis foon moost shtop, I oop mit mein oomberella, Und schlog him ober de kop.”

vent noun US /vent/

a hole for the escape of gas or air

From this reading “Und I sits all oonder de linden, De hearts-leaf linden dree; Und I dink of de quick gevanisht lofe Dat vent like de vind from me.”

All words in this reading · 80

Every word in these five lines is listed here, and every one of them can be played on its own.

Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

adeterminerUS /ə/

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading I leaf him like tead on de bavemend, Und roosh droo a darklin' lane, Dill moonlighd und tisdand musik, Pring me roundt to my soul again.

againadverbUS /əˈɡen/

anew

From this reading I leaf him like tead on de bavemend, Und roosh droo a darklin' lane, Dill moonlighd und tisdand musik, Pring me roundt to my soul again.

alladjectiveUS /ɔːl/

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading Und vhen der crim night waechter Says all of dis foon moost shtop, I oop mit mein oomberella, Und schlog him ober de kop.

bavemend

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading I leaf him like tead on de bavemend, Und roosh droo a darklin' lane, Dill moonlighd und tisdand musik, Pring me roundt to my soul again.

Cooms

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Dis life is all a lindens Mit holes dat show de plue, Und pedween de finite pranches Cooms Himmel-light shinin' troo.

crim

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Und vhen der crim night waechter Says all of dis foon moost shtop, I oop mit mein oomberella, Und schlog him ober de kop.

damselnounUS /ˈdæmzəl/

a young unmarried woman

From this reading Und I voonders in mine dipsyhood, If a damsel or dream vas she!

darklin

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading I leaf him like tead on de bavemend, Und roosh droo a darklin' lane, Dill moonlighd und tisdand musik, Pring me roundt to my soul again.

DatnounUS /dæt/

a digital tape recording of sound

From this reading Und I sits all oonder de linden, De hearts-leaf linden dree; Und I dink of de quick gevanisht lofe Dat vent like de vind from me.

denounUS /diː/

a Mid-Atlantic state; one of the original 13 colonies

From this reading Und vhen der crim night waechter Says all of dis foon moost shtop, I oop mit mein oomberella, Und schlog him ober de kop.

der

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Und vhen der crim night waechter Says all of dis foon moost shtop, I oop mit mein oomberella, Und schlog him ober de kop.

DillnounUS /dɪl/

aromatic Old World herb having aromatic threadlike foliage and seeds used as seasoning

From this reading I leaf him like tead on de bavemend, Und roosh droo a darklin' lane, Dill moonlighd und tisdand musik, Pring me roundt to my soul again.

dinknounUS /dɪŋk/

a couple who both have careers and no children (an acronym for dual income no kids)

From this reading Und I sits all oonder de linden, De hearts-leaf linden dree; Und I dink of de quick gevanisht lofe Dat vent like de vind from me.

dipsyhood

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Und I voonders in mine dipsyhood, If a damsel or dream vas she!

disnounUS /dɪs/

(Roman mythology) god of the underworld; counterpart of Greek Hades

From this reading Und vhen der crim night waechter Says all of dis foon moost shtop, I oop mit mein oomberella, Und schlog him ober de kop.

dreamnounUS /driːm/

A series of thoughts, images, or emotions during sleep.

From this reading Und I voonders in mine dipsyhood, If a damsel or dream vas she!

dree

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Und I sits all oonder de linden, De hearts-leaf linden dree; Und I dink of de quick gevanisht lofe Dat vent like de vind from me.

droo

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading I leaf him like tead on de bavemend, Und roosh droo a darklin' lane, Dill moonlighd und tisdand musik, Pring me roundt to my soul again.

finiteadjectiveUS /ˈfaɪnaɪt/

bounded or limited in magnitude or spatial or temporal extent

From this reading Dis life is all a lindens Mit holes dat show de plue, Und pedween de finite pranches Cooms Himmel-light shinin' troo.

foon

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Und vhen der crim night waechter Says all of dis foon moost shtop, I oop mit mein oomberella, Und schlog him ober de kop.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Und I sits all oonder de linden, De hearts-leaf linden dree; Und I dink of de quick gevanisht lofe Dat vent like de vind from me.

gevanisht

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Und I sits all oonder de linden, De hearts-leaf linden dree; Und I dink of de quick gevanisht lofe Dat vent like de vind from me.

hearts-leaf

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Und I sits all oonder de linden, De hearts-leaf linden dree; Und I dink of de quick gevanisht lofe Dat vent like de vind from me.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading Und vhen der crim night waechter Says all of dis foon moost shtop, I oop mit mein oomberella, Und schlog him ober de kop.

Himmel-light

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Dis life is all a lindens Mit holes dat show de plue, Und pedween de finite pranches Cooms Himmel-light shinin' troo.

holesnounUS /hoʊlz/

plural of “hole” — an opening into or through something

From this reading Dis life is all a lindens Mit holes dat show de plue, Und pedween de finite pranches Cooms Himmel-light shinin' troo.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading Und vhen der crim night waechter Says all of dis foon moost shtop, I oop mit mein oomberella, Und schlog him ober de kop.

IfconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading Und I voonders in mine dipsyhood, If a damsel or dream vas she!

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading Und I voonders in mine dipsyhood, If a damsel or dream vas she!

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading Dis life is all a lindens Mit holes dat show de plue, Und pedween de finite pranches Cooms Himmel-light shinin' troo.

kop

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Und vhen der crim night waechter Says all of dis foon moost shtop, I oop mit mein oomberella, Und schlog him ober de kop.

lanenounUS /leɪn/

a narrow way or road

From this reading I leaf him like tead on de bavemend, Und roosh droo a darklin' lane, Dill moonlighd und tisdand musik, Pring me roundt to my soul again.

leafnounUS /liːf/

the main organ of photosynthesis and transpiration in higher plants

From this reading I leaf him like tead on de bavemend, Und roosh droo a darklin' lane, Dill moonlighd und tisdand musik, Pring me roundt to my soul again.

lifenounUS /laɪf/

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading Dis life is all a lindens Mit holes dat show de plue, Und pedween de finite pranches Cooms Himmel-light shinin' troo.

likeverbUS /laɪk/

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading I leaf him like tead on de bavemend, Und roosh droo a darklin' lane, Dill moonlighd und tisdand musik, Pring me roundt to my soul again.

lindennounUS /ˈlɪndən/

soft light-colored wood of any of various linden trees; used in making crates and boxes and in carving and millwork

From this reading Und I sits all oonder de linden, De hearts-leaf linden dree; Und I dink of de quick gevanisht lofe Dat vent like de vind from me.

lindens

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Dis life is all a lindens Mit holes dat show de plue, Und pedween de finite pranches Cooms Himmel-light shinin' troo.

lofe

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Und I sits all oonder de linden, De hearts-leaf linden dree; Und I dink of de quick gevanisht lofe Dat vent like de vind from me.

mepronounUS /miː/

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading I leaf him like tead on de bavemend, Und roosh droo a darklin' lane, Dill moonlighd und tisdand musik, Pring me roundt to my soul again.

mein

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Und vhen der crim night waechter Says all of dis foon moost shtop, I oop mit mein oomberella, Und schlog him ober de kop.

minepronounUS /maɪn/

the one or ones belonging to the person speaking

From this reading Und I voonders in mine dipsyhood, If a damsel or dream vas she!

mitnounUS /ˈeˈmaɪˈtiː/

an engineering university in Cambridge

From this reading Und vhen der crim night waechter Says all of dis foon moost shtop, I oop mit mein oomberella, Und schlog him ober de kop.

moonlighd

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading I leaf him like tead on de bavemend, Und roosh droo a darklin' lane, Dill moonlighd und tisdand musik, Pring me roundt to my soul again.

moost

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Und vhen der crim night waechter Says all of dis foon moost shtop, I oop mit mein oomberella, Und schlog him ober de kop.

musik

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading I leaf him like tead on de bavemend, Und roosh droo a darklin' lane, Dill moonlighd und tisdand musik, Pring me roundt to my soul again.

mydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading I leaf him like tead on de bavemend, Und roosh droo a darklin' lane, Dill moonlighd und tisdand musik, Pring me roundt to my soul again.

nightnounUS /naɪt/

the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside

From this reading Und vhen der crim night waechter Says all of dis foon moost shtop, I oop mit mein oomberella, Und schlog him ober de kop.

ober

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Und vhen der crim night waechter Says all of dis foon moost shtop, I oop mit mein oomberella, Und schlog him ober de kop.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Und vhen der crim night waechter Says all of dis foon moost shtop, I oop mit mein oomberella, Und schlog him ober de kop.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading I leaf him like tead on de bavemend, Und roosh droo a darklin' lane, Dill moonlighd und tisdand musik, Pring me roundt to my soul again.

oomberella

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Und vhen der crim night waechter Says all of dis foon moost shtop, I oop mit mein oomberella, Und schlog him ober de kop.

oonder

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Und I sits all oonder de linden, De hearts-leaf linden dree; Und I dink of de quick gevanisht lofe Dat vent like de vind from me.

oop

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Und vhen der crim night waechter Says all of dis foon moost shtop, I oop mit mein oomberella, Und schlog him ober de kop.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Und I voonders in mine dipsyhood, If a damsel or dream vas she!

pedween

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Dis life is all a lindens Mit holes dat show de plue, Und pedween de finite pranches Cooms Himmel-light shinin' troo.

plue

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Dis life is all a lindens Mit holes dat show de plue, Und pedween de finite pranches Cooms Himmel-light shinin' troo.

pranches

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Dis life is all a lindens Mit holes dat show de plue, Und pedween de finite pranches Cooms Himmel-light shinin' troo.

Pring

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading I leaf him like tead on de bavemend, Und roosh droo a darklin' lane, Dill moonlighd und tisdand musik, Pring me roundt to my soul again.

quickadjectiveUS /kwɪk/

accomplished rapidly and without delay

From this reading Und I sits all oonder de linden, De hearts-leaf linden dree; Und I dink of de quick gevanisht lofe Dat vent like de vind from me.

roosh

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading I leaf him like tead on de bavemend, Und roosh droo a darklin' lane, Dill moonlighd und tisdand musik, Pring me roundt to my soul again.

roundt

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading I leaf him like tead on de bavemend, Und roosh droo a darklin' lane, Dill moonlighd und tisdand musik, Pring me roundt to my soul again.

SaysnounUS /sez/

plural of “say” — the chance to speak

From this reading Und vhen der crim night waechter Says all of dis foon moost shtop, I oop mit mein oomberella, Und schlog him ober de kop.

schlog

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Und vhen der crim night waechter Says all of dis foon moost shtop, I oop mit mein oomberella, Und schlog him ober de kop.

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Und I voonders in mine dipsyhood, If a damsel or dream vas she!

shinin

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Dis life is all a lindens Mit holes dat show de plue, Und pedween de finite pranches Cooms Himmel-light shinin' troo.

showverbUS /ʃoʊ/

give an exhibition of to an interested audience

From this reading Dis life is all a lindens Mit holes dat show de plue, Und pedween de finite pranches Cooms Himmel-light shinin' troo.

shtop

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Und vhen der crim night waechter Says all of dis foon moost shtop, I oop mit mein oomberella, Und schlog him ober de kop.

sitsverbUS /sɪts/

third-person singular of “sit” — be seated

From this reading Und I sits all oonder de linden, De hearts-leaf linden dree; Und I dink of de quick gevanisht lofe Dat vent like de vind from me.

soulnounUS /soʊl/

the immaterial part of a person; the actuating cause of an individual life

From this reading I leaf him like tead on de bavemend, Und roosh droo a darklin' lane, Dill moonlighd und tisdand musik, Pring me roundt to my soul again.

tead

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading I leaf him like tead on de bavemend, Und roosh droo a darklin' lane, Dill moonlighd und tisdand musik, Pring me roundt to my soul again.

tisdand

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading I leaf him like tead on de bavemend, Und roosh droo a darklin' lane, Dill moonlighd und tisdand musik, Pring me roundt to my soul again.

toparticleUS /tuː/

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading I leaf him like tead on de bavemend, Und roosh droo a darklin' lane, Dill moonlighd und tisdand musik, Pring me roundt to my soul again.

troo

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Dis life is all a lindens Mit holes dat show de plue, Und pedween de finite pranches Cooms Himmel-light shinin' troo.

Und

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Und vhen der crim night waechter Says all of dis foon moost shtop, I oop mit mein oomberella, Und schlog him ober de kop.

vas

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Und I voonders in mine dipsyhood, If a damsel or dream vas she!

ventnounUS /vent/

a hole for the escape of gas or air

From this reading Und I sits all oonder de linden, De hearts-leaf linden dree; Und I dink of de quick gevanisht lofe Dat vent like de vind from me.

vhen

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Und vhen der crim night waechter Says all of dis foon moost shtop, I oop mit mein oomberella, Und schlog him ober de kop.

vind

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Und I sits all oonder de linden, De hearts-leaf linden dree; Und I dink of de quick gevanisht lofe Dat vent like de vind from me.

voonders

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Und I voonders in mine dipsyhood, If a damsel or dream vas she!

waechter

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Und vhen der crim night waechter Says all of dis foon moost shtop, I oop mit mein oomberella, Und schlog him ober de kop.

Chapter 4 of The Breitmann Ballads by Charles Godfrey Leland holds 161 sentences, grouped into 33 reading sections of at most 5 sentences. The text is the public-domain source, unabridged, and the chapter records which sentences cover which part of the work so that nothing is dropped. Every word can be tapped for its pronunciation and dictionary entry.

What does chapter 4 of The Breitmann Ballads contain?

Chapter 4 holds 161 sentences of The Breitmann Ballads, unabridged, divided into 33 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 4 of The Breitmann Ballads by Charles Godfrey Leland exactly as it stands in the public-domain source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 161 sentences, grouped into 33 sections of at most 5 sentences so that a reader can take the chapter in steady, finishable pieces. The chapter also stores a coverage record mapping every one of its sentences to a part of the work, which is how the edition demonstrates that no line was dropped.

How do I study chapter 4 of The Breitmann Ballads?

Work through the 33 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 33 sections in this chapter is short enough to read once, hear once, and then re-read with the vocabulary in view. Tapping a word plays it alone and opens its dictionary entry with IPA, part of speech and meaning, so the reader is never forced to guess a pronunciation from spelling. Working section by section keeps a long chapter from becoming an undifferentiated wall of text, which is the usual reason a reader abandons a work of this period.

Can chapter 4 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 4 can be played aloud in United States English.

Audio covers the whole chapter: any sentence can be played, and any single word within it can be played on its own. The voice uses United States English. For a work of this period that matters, because spelling is an unreliable guide to pronunciation for vocabulary that has fallen out of daily use, and a learner who guesses wrong tends to keep the error. Hearing the word in its own sentence, and then alone, settles it.

Questions about reading The Breitmann Ballads

Common questions about reading The Breitmann Ballads by Charles Godfrey Leland on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The Breitmann Ballads?

Yes. All 2496 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #454 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The Breitmann Ballads is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #454, a public-domain edition. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The Breitmann Ballads take to read?

About 208 minutes of reading across 500 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The Breitmann Ballads section by section

How to work through The Breitmann Ballads section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 17 chapters of The Breitmann Ballads to begin.

  2. Read one section

    Each section holds 5 sentences; read it once through.

  3. Listen and tap

    Play the section aloud, then tap any unfamiliar word for its entry.

Vocabulary met early in The Breitmann Ballads

Words and structures a reader meets early in The Breitmann Ballads, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Begin
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Breitmann Ballads; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Vanilla
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Breitmann Ballads; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Ascii
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Breitmann Ballads; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Breitmann
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Breitmann Ballads; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.