Singt ein Falk' all' die Nacht durch,
Dicht vor dem Fenster des Milan:
"Auf, und erwache, o Milan!
Es vermählt sich dein Mädchen,
Ladet dich ein zur der Hochzeit;
Oder willst du nicht kommen:
Sollst deinen Segen ihr senden!"
"Laß sie sich vermählen, laß sie;
Kommen nicht mag ich zur Hochzeit,
Aber ich send' ihr den Segen:
Nimmer einen Knaben [gebähre]1 sie!
So viel Brot sie verzehret,
So viel Weh erdulde sie!
So viel Wasser sie trinket,
So viel Tränen vergieße sie!"--
View original text (without footnotes)
1 Loewe: "gebär'"
Authorship:
Based on:
Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive):
Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- ENG English (Sharon Krebs) , "The young man's blessing", copyright © 2012, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- FRE French (Français) (Guy Laffaille) , "La bénédiction du jeune homme", copyright © 2017, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
Researcher for this page: Andrew Shackleton
This text was added to the website: 2005-07-28
Line count: 15
Word count: 82
A falcon sings throughout the night
Close by Milan's window:
"Up and awaken, oh Milan!
Your girl is getting married,
And she has invited you to the wedding;
If you do not wish to come
Then you are to send her your blessing!"
Let her marry, let her;
I do not care to attend the wedding,
But I send her my blessing:
Never shall she bear a boy!
However much bread she eats,
So much pain may she bear!
However much water she drinks,
So many tears may she shed!" --