The original was written by an unknown ninth century monk. I got the translation and the attribution here.
I like the part where it may have been written by a monk working on the Book of the Kells. Which explains why Pangur Ban appears so prominently in the Secret of Kells, my new favorite movie.
Samuel Barber did an arrangement of this, "The Monk and His Cat" which is one of the songs I did during my undergrad years as a vocalist. "Pangur, white Pangur..." Still trying to find the lyrics, and I know when I go home tonight I'm going to dig frantically for the book!
VIII. The Monk and His Cat 8th ‐ 9th century Translated by W. H. Auden
Pangur, white Pangur, How happy we are Alone together, Scholar and cat. Each has his own work to do daily; For you it is hunting, for me study. Your shining eye watches the wall; My feeble eye is fixed on a book. Alone together, Scholar and cat. You rejoice when your claws Entrap a mouse; I rejoice when my mind Fathoms a problem. Pleased with his own art, Neither hinders the other; Thus we live ever Without tedium and envy.
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I like the part where it may have been written by a monk working on the Book of the Kells. Which explains why Pangur Ban appears so prominently in the Secret of Kells, my new favorite movie.
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8th ‐ 9th century
Translated by W. H. Auden
Pangur, white Pangur,
How happy we are
Alone together,
Scholar and cat.
Each has his own work to do daily;
For you it is hunting, for me study.
Your shining eye watches the wall;
My feeble eye is fixed on a book.
Alone together,
Scholar and cat.
You rejoice when your claws
Entrap a mouse;
I rejoice when my mind
Fathoms a problem.
Pleased with his own art,
Neither hinders the other;
Thus we live ever
Without tedium and envy.
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