by Anonymous / Unidentified Author
Die Harfe, die für dich erklungen
Language: German (Deutsch)  after the English
Available translation(s): ENG
Man glaubt, die Harfe, die für dich erklungen,
War eine Sirene in uralter Zeit,
Die oft sich dem Schosse des Meeres entschwungen,
Den Jüngling zu sehn, dem ihr Herz war geweiht.
Doch sie flehte vergebens, er wollte nicht kommen,
Ihr Antlitz erbleichte, ihr Aug' war voll Thau,
Bis der Himmel die frühre Gestalt ihr genommen,
In diese Harfe verwandelt die Frau.
Noch hebt sich ihr Busen, noch glüht ihre Wange
Und über die Haare so lockig und hold,
Da rinnen die Thränen so trüb und so bange:
Das sind jetzt die tönenden Saiten von Gold.
Und darum hörtet die Harfe ihr klingen
Bald von Lieb', bald von Gram, ohne Wahl, ohne Zier --
Bis du kamst und mich lehrtest: Dass Lieb' ich muss singen,
Wenn du nah bist und Gram, wenn du fern bist von mir.
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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 harp that sounded for you", copyright © 2017, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
Researcher for this page: Sharon Krebs
[Guest Editor] This text was added to the website: 2011-08-07
Line count: 16
Word count: 135
The harp that sounded for you
Language: English  after the German (Deutsch)
It is believed that the harp that sounded for you
Was a siren in ancient times,
Who often lifted herself up from the lap of the sea
To see the lad to whom she had dedicated her heart.
But she pleaded in vain; he would not come,
Her face grew pale, her eyes were full of dew,
Until heaven took her former shape from her,
And transformed the woman into this harp.
Her bosom still rises [and falls], still glows her cheek,
And over her hair, so curly and lovely,
[Her] tears flow so drearily and so fearfully:
Those are now the resounding strings of gold.
And therefore one heard the harp ringing
Now of love, now of sorrow, without choice, without adornment --
Until you came and taught me that I must sing love
When you are near, and sorrow when you are far from me.
Authorship:
- Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2017 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.
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This text was added to the website: 2017-06-03
Line count: 16
Word count: 146