by
Georg Trakl (1887 - 1914)
Der Wanderer
Language: German (Deutsch)
Available translation(s): ENG FRE
Immer lehnt am Hügel die weiße Nacht,
Wo in Silbertönen die Pappel ragt,
Stern' und Steine sind.
Schlafend wölbt sich über den Gießbach der Steg,
Folgt dem Knaben ein erstorbenes Antlitz,
Sichelmond in rosiger Schlucht
Ferne preisenden Hirten. In altem Gestein
Schaut aus kristallenen Augen die Kröte,
Erwacht der blühende Wind, die Vogelstimme des Totengleichen
Und die Schritte ergrünen leise im Wald.
Dieses erinnert an Baum und Tier. Langsame Stufen von Moos;
Und der Mond,
Der glänzend in traurigen Wassern versinkt.
Jener kehrt wieder und wandelt an grünem Gestade,
Schaukelt auf schwarzem Gondelschiffchen durch die verfallene Stadt.
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 (Bertram Kottmann) , "The wanderer", copyright © 2018, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- FRE French (Français) (Pierre Mathé) , "Le voyageur", copyright © 2011, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [
Administrator]
This text was added to the website: 2011-06-06
Line count: 15
Word count: 97
The wanderer
Language: English  after the German (Deutsch)
Ever the white night rests against the hill,
where the poplar looms in silver tones,
where stars and stones are.
Asleep, the footbridge arches over the mountain torrent,
an ossified countenance follows the boy,
sickle moon in a rosy gorge
far away from praising shepherds. In old rocks
the toad stares crystal-eyed,
the blooming wind awakens, the birdcall of the deathlike one,
and the footsteps gently turn green in the woods.
This reminds of tree and animal. Slow stages of moss;
and the moon,
that sinks gleamingly in gloomy waters.
She returns again and walks on green shores,
sways in a black gondola across the fallen city.
Authorship:
Based on:
This text was added to the website: 2018-11-28
Line count: 15
Word count: 107