Da barnet sov ind med hånd under kind, kom englene til med latter og spil. Da barnet det våkned, stod moderen over: Du smiler så vakkert, du små, når du sover! Dets mor gik til Gud, og barnet kom ud, det sovnede ind med tårer på kind, men hørte straks latter og moderord ømme, thi englene fulgte med barnlige drømme! Snart blev det så stort, at tåren frøs bort. Det sovnede ind med tanker i sind. Men englene veg ej, de svævede over, tog tanken og hvisked: hav fred, mens du sover.
Five Songs from the Norwegian
Song Cycle by Frederick Delius (1862 - 1934)
1. Søvnen  [sung text checked 1 time]
Authorship:
- by Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson (1832 - 1910)
See other settings of this text.
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]1. Slumber song  [sung text checked 1 time]
While infancy dreamed from heaven there teemed An angel array with song and with And when he awoke his fond mother caressed him. In joy that he smiled as the bright angels blessed him. To heaven was her prayer mid sorrow and care Unrestful he slept, in sorrow he wept. A rustling was heard and again she caressed him In joy that the hovering angels had blessed him. To manhood he grows, the tear again flows No rest is in sleep, his grief is too deep. The angels desert not, still nearer they press him And sing "Be at peace" as with slumber they bless him.
Authorship:
- Singable translation by Anonymous / Unidentified Author, "Slumber song"
Based on:
- a text in Norwegian (Bokmål) by Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson (1832 - 1910)
Go to the single-text view
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]2. Syng, syng  [sung text checked 1 time]
Syng, syng nattergal du, syng meg en liflig vise Kan du så døve min hu? Kan du så mage det nu at jeg måtte lengsel forlise? Syng, syng nattergal du. Syng, syng snart er du snil, kom, kom let og behænde Abilden dufter deg til natten er stille og mild alle mine tanker de brende. Syng, syng snart er du snil. Kom, kom sanger og tal der, hvor jeg hører hjemme er der ei nattergal der ved jeg sorrig og kval lyve seg til syngende stemme. Kom, kom sanger og tal.
Authorship:
- by Theodor Kjerulf (1825 - 1888)
See other settings of this text.
Researcher for this page: John Versmoren2. The nightingale  [sung text checked 1 time]
Sing, sing nightingale blest Sing me a roundel of gladness Wilt thou not bring me as guest Peace in my bosom to rest? Ah, why must I be ever in sadness? Sing, sing nightingale blest Sing, sing chantress of love Sing where 'tis fragrant and beaming Evening gales o'er me rove Gloom overshadows the grove. Light alone springs from my dreaming. Sing, sing chantress of love. Come, come carol thy lay Here in the cell where I languish Cannot a nightingale stray Must ever sorrow have sway. Song would but mock at my anguish. Come, come carol thy lay.
Authorship:
- Singable translation by W. Grist , "The nightingale"
Based on:
- a text in Norwegian (Bokmål) by Theodor Kjerulf (1825 - 1888)
Go to the single-text view
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]3. Jeg reiste en deilig sommerkveld  [sung text checked 1 time]
Jeg rejste en dejlig Sommerkvæld Igjennem en ensom Dal. Så blankt stod Fjeldet ved Solfadstid Og blå var Fjorden og grøn hver Lid, Mens Sommerluften og Birkeduften strøg om mig blid. En rankvokst Jente med røde Bånd Om Flettens vægtige Guld, På Vangen sad med sit Strikketøj. En Flok af Gjeder om hende fløj, Den Vogter stille, mens Elv og Kilde gled uden Støj. Hvad mon hun tænkte den Jente rank I Somrens drømmende Kvæld? Alene, ene i Dalen trang! Mon Længslen ej over Fjeld sig svang? Tys, Luren svarer! Mod Fjeldet farer en Vemodsklang.
Authorship:
- by John Olaf Paulsen (1851 - 1924), "Jeg rejste en dejlig Sommerkvæld", written 1876, appears in Mol og Dur
See other settings of this text.
Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- FRE French (Français) (Pierre Mathé) , copyright © 2015, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- GER German (Deutsch) [singable] (Bertram Kottmann) , copyright © 2019, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- GER German (Deutsch) [singable] (Bertram Kottmann) , "Am Abend zur schönsten Sommerszeit", copyright © 2019, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- GER German (Deutsch) [singable] (Wilhelm Henzen) , "Am schönsten Sommerabend war's"
3. At fall of glowing summer day  [sung text checked 1 time]
At fall of glowing summer day Through lone vale I take my way The waning sun gilds the lofty hill The banks are green and blue the rill. The scented flowers perfume the bowers And all is still. At house door sits a graceful maid In ribands golden-bright arrayed And as her needle she plies, she heeds Her flock that o'er the green hill feeds; Its pathway guiding to streamlet gliding O'er grassy mead. Of what dreams she, that maiden fair, Out gazing through the twilight air? Though silent she's not in heart alone Her fancy oèr the hill has flown; Hark, distant singing, its echoes winging In lovelorn tone.
Authorship:
- Singable translation by Anonymous / Unidentified Author, "At fall of glowing summer day"
Based on:
- a text in Norwegian (Bokmål) by John Olaf Paulsen (1851 - 1924), "Jeg rejste en dejlig Sommerkvæld", written 1876, appears in Mol og Dur
Go to the single-text view
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]4. Lengsel  [sung text checked 1 time]
Vildeste fugl I flukt endnu fløy dog ikke som lengses hu Tid, kan du ikke ile? Fra morgen og inntil morgenry Det er som at lide døden på ny. Aldri så kommer hvile! Der er ei over det vide hav, der er ei i den dunkle grav og ei på fjell og ei i dal der er ei nogen større kval enn lengsel. Hjerte, mitt hjerte styr ikke så tanke, tanke hvor hen vil du gå? Drøm, du bruker til vinge, det vet den lykke som vet seg stor at kval er mere enn tomme ord Yndige lyd som klinger! Jo større lykke, jo større kval som høyest fjell og dypest dal som dag og natt så er min Hu meg tykkes at jeg bærer nu på lengsel.
Authorship:
- by Theodor Kjerulf (1825 - 1888)
Go to the single-text view
Researcher for this page: John Versmoren4. Longing  [sung text checked 1 time]
Quick darts the eagle through the skies Yet not swift as my longing flies Speed on time! do not languish! From evening gray, to the ruddy morn With mortal pangs I'm ever torn. Never allayed is my anguish. Where billows thunder and dashin might Where tombs are yawning in gloomy night Where valleys wind and mountains tower, O'er all resistless reigns the power of longing. Heart, oh my heart thy throbbing stay Whither, fancy, thy rapid way Dreams but charm thee to vanish. Her loftiest flight, well fortune knows, But heralds grief and untold woes Love only sorrow can banish. The greater the bliss, the deeper the pain As lofty hill as lowland plain. As day and night, as ebb and flow Within me burns the joy, the woe of longing
Authorship:
- Singable translation by Anonymous / Unidentified Author, "Longing"
Based on:
- a text in Norwegian (Bokmål) by Theodor Kjerulf (1825 - 1888)
Go to the single-text view
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]5. Ved Solnedgang  [sung text checked 1 time]
Nu daler Solen sagte ned
bag Aasens fjerne Skove
og sender guldrød Aftenfred
ud over Eng of Vove.
En sød vemodig Hvisken gaar
igjennem Birkens Blade
Om Nattens Mulm, som forestaar
og vil sin Favn oplade.
Frygt ej min Sjæl, sænk dig kun ned
i Nattens Dyb mod Solen,
Derfra opvælder Kjærlig hed
som Duft fra Natviolen.
Hvor Lyset Kilde gaar forud,
did kan du trøstig følge,
Og lade Nattens dybe Skrud
din hede Længsel dølge.
[ ... ]
Authorship:
- by Andreas Munch (1811 - 1884), "Solnedgang", written 1850, appears in Nye Digte
See other settings of this text.
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]5. Sunset  [sung text checked 1 time]
Now slowly sinks the evening sun
Behind the wooded mountain
And length'ning shadows have begun
To darken vail and fountain.
A melancholy whisper stirs
Through rustling leaves suspended
And gath'ring darkness softly blurs
The hills with shadow blended.
Fear not, my soul, securely rest
Embrace the darken'd hours
The blackest night may yet be bless'd
With love like scent of flowers.
Go boldly where that blazing light
Retires 'midst comets burning
And let the vestments of the night
Conceal thy boundless yearning.
[ ... ]
Authorship:
- Singable translation by Anonymous / Unidentified Author, "Sunset"
Based on:
- a text in Norwegian (Bokmål) by Andreas Munch (1811 - 1884), "Solnedgang", written 1850, appears in Nye Digte
Go to the single-text view
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]