Joseph Victor von Scheffel
Im schwarzen Walfisch zu Askalon: Rastlieder
"Im schwarzen Walfisch zu Askalon: Rastlieder" by Joseph Victor von Scheffel is a collection of academic drinking songs published in 1854. The title piece celebrates the chaotic spirit of student life through a humorous tale set in ancient Assyria. A reveler drinks at an inn where marble tables gleam and bills arrive inscribed on clay bricks—but he's left his money in Nineveh. The song mixes historical eras with playful anachronisms and classical references, becoming a beloved anthem in German-speaking universities.