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Die Sonne sank wohl in die Fluth Gar purpurroth und schön, Die Vöglein werden stumm und müd’, Sie wollen zu Neste geh’n. Auf gehet nun der bleiche Mond Am blauen Himmelszelt, Inmitten seiner Sterne Heer Er seinen Einzug hält. Er blicket wohl in des Ganges Fluth, Die weit hinüber zogen Mit lieblich strahlender Silbergluth, leise flüstern die Wogen. Wie oft schon tauchte ihr Goldgefieder Die Sonne in die Fluthen nieder Seitdem der Liebste von mir schied, Wie oft schon sandte seine Strahlen Der Mond herab auf meine Qualen Seitdem er meine Schwelle mied, Und keine Wolke, keine Welle Bringt Kunde mir von ihm zur Stelle. Doch nun ertrag’ ich länger nicht Der bangen Zweifel Pein, Will lieber kennen mein Geschick Und ganz unselig sein. Nun sollst du mir, o flackernd’ Licht, Heilig’ Orakel sein. So wend’ ich die Schritte zu dir, O heiliger Gangesstrom! Da wo sich der Platanendach Hoch wölbt zum hehren Dom Will ich vertrauen deiner Fluth Das Lämpchen hier mit seiner Gluth. Im heil’gen Buche steht das Wort, Dass uns der Liebste lebt Wenn glimmend schwimmt das Lämpchen fort, Bis es dem Blick entschwebt. Gebieter der Wellen, Gebieter der Fluth, O sage der schnellen, der heiligen Fluth, Dass sie schonend trage das Licht. Gebieter der Fluth, Gebieter der Wellen, O sage dem hellen, dem flackernden Licht, Es solle verlöschen nicht! Nun, Lämpchen, fahr’ hinab den Strom, Mein Blick folgt dir mit Beben, Wird dir die Fluth zum dunklen Grab, Welkt auch dahin mein Leben. Wehe mir! ich seh’ es nicht! Verloschen ist das Licht, Doch nein, es glüht! Nun jauchze auf mein Lied! Nun tauscht’ ich selbst mit denen nicht, Die da wallen im ewigen Licht, Jetzt neid’ ich nicht der Houri Chor, Die da schwebten durch Eden’s Thor, Die Allah hat gerufen Zu seines Thrones Stufen, Er lebt, er lebt, er kehret wieder, nun tönet Jubellieder!
Notes: the text above is the sung text found in the score; however, in stanza 2, line 3, word 5, "mir" is "ihr" in the printed poetic text that follows the musical score, and in stanza 6, line 5, word 4, "hellen" is "Flamme" in the printed text.
Authorship:
- by Karl Heinrich Carsten Reinecke (1824 - 1910), as Heinrich Carsten
Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive):
- by Karl Heinrich Carsten Reinecke (1824 - 1910), "Das Hindumädchen", op. 151 [ alto or mezzo-soprano and orchestra ], Leipzig, Breitkopf & Härtel [sung text checked 1 time]
Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- ENG English (Laura Prichard) , "The Hindu Maiden", copyright © 2024, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
Researcher for this page: Laura Prichard [Guest Editor]
This text was added to the website: 2024-04-09
Line count: 58
Word count: 310
As the sun submerged beneath the water All crimson and beautiful, The little birds fell silent and drifted off, Wanting to return to their nests. Now rises the pale moon Into the blue heavens, In the midst of a host of stars It makes its entrance. As it gazes down upon the course of the Ganges, Flowing across the wide world With its lovely shining silvery glow, The waves lap quietly. How often has the golden plumage appeared of The sun dipping into the river Since my lover departed, How often has it shone his rays, That moon, over my torments, Since he stopped darkening my doorstep, And still no cloud, no wave Brings me news of him or his whereabouts. But now I can’t stand any longer This pain of anxiously doubting, I’d rather know my fate And accept my unhappiness. Now you shall, oh flickering lamp, Be a holy oracle for me. So I turn my steps toward you, O holy Ganges! Where the plane trees Arch into a high, noble cathedral I want to trust to your current This little glowing lamp. It is written in the holy books, That a loved one must still still alive If a lamp remains burning brightly as it floats away, Until it disappears from view. Master of the waves, Master of the tides, Oh tell the swift, to the holy flood, It should gently bear my lamp. Lord of the tides, Lord of the waves, Oh tell the bright, the twinkling light, It must not flicker out! Now, little lamp, float down the river, My trembling gaze follows you, If the tide becomes your dark grave, My life will also wither away. Woe is me! I can’t see it! Lost is the light, But no, it glows! Now rejoice in my song! Now I wouldn’t trade places with them, Those who undulate in everlasting light, Now I don’t envy the choir of virgins, Who float beyond Eden’s Gate, Who Allah called To the steps of his throne, He’s alive, he’s alive, he will return, now sound songs of jubilation!
Authorship:
- Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2024 by Laura Prichard, (re)printed on this website with kind permission. To reprint and distribute this author's work for concert programs, CD booklets, etc., you may ask the copyright-holder(s) directly or ask us; we are authorized to grant permission on their behalf. Please provide the translator's name when contacting us.
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Based on:
- a text in German (Deutsch) by Karl Heinrich Carsten Reinecke (1824 - 1910), as Heinrich Carsten
This text was added to the website: 2024-04-11
Line count: 58
Word count: 349