Uploaded November 2023 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
QRS - WF6720 about 1901
Schnitzelbank literally means "scrap bench" or "chip bench" (from Schnitzel "scraps / clips / cuttings (from carving)" or the colloquial verb schnitzeln "to make scraps" or "to carve" and Bank "bench"); like the Bank, it is feminine and takes the article "die". It is a woodworking tool used in Germany prior to the industrial revolution. It was in regular use in colonial New England, and in the Appalachian region until early in the 20th century; it is still in use by specialist artisans today. In American English, it is known as a shaving horse. It uses the mechanical advantage of a foot-operated lever to securely clamp the object to be carved. The shaving horse is used in combination with the drawknife or spokeshave to cut down green or seasoned wood, to accomplish jobs such as handling an ax; creating wooden rakes, hay forks, walking sticks, etc. The shaving horse was used by various trades, from farmer to basketmaker and wheelwright.
A Schnitzelbank is also a short rhyming verse or song with humorous content, often but not always sung with instrumental accompaniment.
Alphonse and Gaston is an American comic strip by Frederick Burr Opper, featuring a bumbling pair of Frenchmen with a penchant for politeness. It first appeared in William Randolph Hearst's newspaper, the New York Journal on September 22, 1901, with the title "Alphonse and Gaston. It did state on the roll....by Alphonse and Gaston.....1914, but I believe they are "make-believe" comic characters.
LYRICS IN ENGLISH:
Carving Bench
1. Isn't that a carving bench?
Yes, it is a carving bench
Oh you wonderful carving bench
Oh you wonderful carving bench
2. Isn't that short and long?
Yes, it is short and long
Isn't that back and forth?
Yes, it is back and forth
Back and forth, short and long
Oh you wonderful carving bench
Oh you wonderful carving bench
3. Isn't that criss and cross?
Yes, it is criss and cross
Isn't that a shooting gun?
Yes, it is a shooting gun
Shooting gun, criss and cross
Back and forth, short and long
Oh you wonderful carving bench
Oh you wonderful carving bench
4. …wagon wheel
3. Isn't that criss and cross?
Yes, it is criss and cross
Isn't that a shooting gun?
Yes, it is a shooting gun
Shooting gun, criss and cross
Back and forth, short and long
Oh you wonderful carving bench
Oh you wonderful carving bench
4. …wagon wheel
…bent and straight
5. …big glass
…oxen bladder
6. …pile of dung
…naughty boy
7. …stout woman
…fat sow
8. …tall man
…Christmas (fir) tree
9. …wedding ring
….dangerous thing
QRS - WF6720 about 1901
Schnitzelbank literally means "scrap bench" or "chip bench" (from Schnitzel "scraps / clips / cuttings (from carving)" or the colloquial verb schnitzeln "to make scraps" or "to carve" and Bank "bench"); like the Bank, it is feminine and takes the article "die". It is a woodworking tool used in Germany prior to the industrial revolution. It was in regular use in colonial New England, and in the Appalachian region until early in the 20th century; it is still in use by specialist artisans today. In American English, it is known as a shaving horse. It uses the mechanical advantage of a foot-operated lever to securely clamp the object to be carved. The shaving horse is used in combination with the drawknife or spokeshave to cut down green or seasoned wood, to accomplish jobs such as handling an ax; creating wooden rakes, hay forks, walking sticks, etc. The shaving horse was used by various trades, from farmer to basketmaker and wheelwright.
A Schnitzelbank is also a short rhyming verse or song with humorous content, often but not always sung with instrumental accompaniment.
Alphonse and Gaston is an American comic strip by Frederick Burr Opper, featuring a bumbling pair of Frenchmen with a penchant for politeness. It first appeared in William Randolph Hearst's newspaper, the New York Journal on September 22, 1901, with the title "Alphonse and Gaston. It did state on the roll....by Alphonse and Gaston.....1914, but I believe they are "make-believe" comic characters.
LYRICS IN ENGLISH:
Carving Bench
1. Isn't that a carving bench?
Yes, it is a carving bench
Oh you wonderful carving bench
Oh you wonderful carving bench
2. Isn't that short and long?
Yes, it is short and long
Isn't that back and forth?
Yes, it is back and forth
Back and forth, short and long
Oh you wonderful carving bench
Oh you wonderful carving bench
3. Isn't that criss and cross?
Yes, it is criss and cross
Isn't that a shooting gun?
Yes, it is a shooting gun
Shooting gun, criss and cross
Back and forth, short and long
Oh you wonderful carving bench
Oh you wonderful carving bench
4. …wagon wheel
3. Isn't that criss and cross?
Yes, it is criss and cross
Isn't that a shooting gun?
Yes, it is a shooting gun
Shooting gun, criss and cross
Back and forth, short and long
Oh you wonderful carving bench
Oh you wonderful carving bench
4. …wagon wheel
…bent and straight
5. …big glass
…oxen bladder
6. …pile of dung
…naughty boy
7. …stout woman
…fat sow
8. …tall man
…Christmas (fir) tree
9. …wedding ring
….dangerous thing
