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Tage fliehen, Jahre rollen Schnell zur Ewigkeit hinab! Eh' wir wissen, was wir wollen, Oeffnet sich für uns das Grab! Wünsche wechseln stets mit Sorgen Ungestüm in unsrer Brust; Oft beseufzen wir am Morgen Den Genuß ersehnter Lust. Chor. Tage fliehen, Jahre rollen Schnell zur Ewigkeit hinab. Süße Plane für das Leben Täuschen unsre Phantasie; Was wir wünschen, ach! das geben Selbst erfüllte Wünsche nie! Jung erträumen wir uns Freuden Einer fernen Wonnezeit; Sie erscheint, ihr folgt das Leiden Der verlornen Heiterkeit. Chor. Tage fliehen, Jahre rollen Schnell zur Ewigkeit hinab. Ja, von unsern schönsten Tagen, Ernten wir oft bittre Pein! Froh genossen, leicht getragen Will das kurze Leben seyn. Ach! es läßt die leere Stunde, Der verlorne Augenblick, Immer eine Lebenswunde, Einen leeren Raum zurück. Chor. Tage fliehen, Jahre rollen Schnell zur Ewigkeit hinab. Wenn sich deine Tage schwärzen, O, das fechte dich nicht an! Baue nur im eignen Herzen Reine, stille Freuden an! Rein erhalte dein Gewissen Und die ganze Seele rein! Leicht wird dann dein Sterbekissen, Wie das Blatt der Rose, seyn. Chor. Tage fliehen. Jahre rollen Schnell zur Ewigkeit hinab.
About the headline (FAQ)
Confirmed wtih Gedichte der Frau Elisa von der Recke, gebornen Reichsgräfin von Medem, herausgegeben von C.A. Tiedge, Halle: in der Rengerschen Buchhandlung, 1806, pages 138-140.Authorship:
- by Elisa (Elisabeth) Charlotte Konstantia von der Recke (1756 - 1833), "Zum Jahresschluß" [author's text checked 1 time against a primary source]
Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive):
- by Friedrich Heinrich Himmel (1765 - 1814), "Zum Jahresschluss", published 1807/8. [text not verified]
Available translations, adaptations, and transliterations (if applicable):
- ENG English (Sharon Krebs) , title 1: "At the close of the year", copyright © 2014, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
Researcher for this page: Sharon Krebs [Guest Editor]
This text was added to the website: 2014-01-03
Line count: 44
Word count: 184
The days fly by, the years roll Quickly down into eternity! Before we know what we want, The grave opens for us! Within our breast, tumultuously, Wishes ever alternate with anxieties. Often in the morning we sigh over The enjoyment of longed-for pleasure. Chorus. The days fly by, the years roll Quickly down into eternity. Sweet plans for life Deceive our imagination; What we desire, ah! that is never granted -- Not even by wishes that are fulfilled! In youth we dream up joys Of a distant time of bliss; [The time] appears, it is followed by the suffering Of lost merriment. Chorus. The days fly by, the years roll Quickly down into eternity. Yes, from our most beautiful days We often harvest bitter pain! Happily enjoyed, lightly borne That is how our short life wishes to be. Ah! the empty hour, The lost moment, Always leave a life-wound, An empty space behind. Chorus. The days fly by, the years roll Quickly down into eternity. When your days darken, Oh, let that not distress you! Only plant within your own heart Pure, silent joys! Keep your conscience unsullied And your whole soul pure! Then your deathbed Will be as soft as a roseleaf. Chorus. The days fly by, the years roll Quickly down into eternity.
Authorship:
- Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2014 by Sharon Krebs, (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.
Contact: licenses@email.lieder.example.net
Based on:
- a text in German (Deutsch) by Elisa (Elisabeth) Charlotte Konstantia von der Recke (1756 - 1833), "Zum Jahresschluß"
This text was added to the website: 2014-01-03
Line count: 44
Word count: 214