by
Hermann Hesse (1877 - 1962)
Gebet
Language: German (Deutsch)
Available translation(s): ENG FRE
Wenn ich einmal vor deinem Antlitz stehe,
Dann denke, wie du mich allein gelassen,
Und denke, wie ich irrend in den Gassen
Verwaist und trostlos war in meinem Wehe.
Dann denke jener schrecklich dunklen Nächte,
Da ich in Not und heißem Heimweh bangte
Und wie ein Kind nach deiner Hand verlangte
Und da du mir versagtest deine Rechte.
Und denke jener Zeit, da ich als Knabe
Zu dir zurück an jedem Tage kehrte,
Und meiner Mutter, die mich beten lehrte
Und der ich mehr als dir zu danken habe.
Please note: this text, provided here for educational and research use, is in the public domain in Canada and the U.S., but it may still be copyright in other legal jurisdictions. The LiederNet Archive makes no guarantee that the above text is public domain in your country. Please consult your country's copyright statutes or a qualified IP attorney to verify whether a certain text is in the public domain in your country or if downloading or distributing a copy constitutes fair use. The LiederNet Archive assumes no legal responsibility or liability for the copyright compliance of third parties.
Confirmed with Hermann Hesse, Sämtliche Werke, herausgegeben von Volker Michels, Band 10 Die Gedichte, bearbeitet von Peter Huber, Frankfurt am Main: Suhrkamp Verlag, 2002, page 81.
Authorship:
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) , "Prayer", subtitle: "(1901)", copyright © 2018, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- FRE French (Français) (Pierre Mathé) , "Prière", copyright © 2018, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
Research team for this page: Emily Ezust
[Administrator] , Sharon Krebs
[Guest Editor] This text was added to the website: 2009-05-21
Line count: 12
Word count: 89
Prayer
Language: English  after the German (Deutsch)
When once I stand before your face,
Then recall how you left me alone,
And recall how, wandering in the streets, I was
Orphaned and disconsolate in my pain.
Then recall those horrible, dark nights,
When I trembled in misery and desperate homesickness
And longed for your hand like a child,
And when you denied me your right hand.
And recall those times when as a boy
I returned to you every day,
And recall my mother, who taught me to pray
And whom I have more to thank than you.
Subtitle: "(1901)"
Authorship:
- Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2018 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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Based on:
This text was added to the website: 2018-05-30
Line count: 12
Word count: 91