Difficile lectu

[1] The work was entered by the composer into his personal catalog on 2 September 1788 as part of a set of ten canons; it was probably written some time during the years 1786–87.

The German pun is based on the strong Bavarian accent of the tenor-baritone Johann Nepomuk Peyerl [es] (1761–1800),[3] who can be presumed to have been the lead singer in the first performance (see below).

As Jean-Victor Hocquard points out, the pseudo-Latin lyrics lectu mihi mars, as Peyerl would have sung them, resemble Bavarian German leck du mi im Arsch,[4] which in a literal English rendering is "[you] lick me in the arse".

[9] Michael Quinn writes, "Mozart clearly relished the incongruity resulting from ribald verse set as a canon, traditionally regarded as the most learned of all compositional techniques.

"[10] A tale concerning how the canon was composed and first sung was offered by Gottfried Weber, a musicologist and editor of the early 19th century.

After the strange Latin words had emerged from Peyerl's mouth in the anticipated comical way—to the satisfaction of all present—Mozart turned over the page, and had the group, instead of applauding, sing the triumphal mocking canon "O du eselhafter Peierl".

In a number of places the lyrics are blurry and difficult to read, a condition Weber attributed to stray droplets of champagne.