Attention! Some of this material is not in the public domain.
It is illegal to copy and distribute our copyright-protected material without permission. It is also illegal to reprint copyright texts or translations without the name of the author or translator.
To inquire about permissions and rates, contact Emily Ezust at licenses@email.lieder.example.net
If you wish to reprint translations, please make sure you include the names of the translators in your email. They are below each translation.
Note: You must use the copyright symbol © when you reprint copyright-protected material.
Beim Weidenbaum, im kühlen Tann, da flattern die Dohlen und Raben, da liegt ein blonder Rittersmann unter Blättern und Blüten begraben. Dort ist's so lind und voll von Duft, als ging ein Weinen durch die Luft! O Leide, weh! O Leide! Ein Spielmann zog einst des Weges daher, da sah er ein Knöchlein blitzen; er hob es auf, als wär's ein Rohr, wollt' sich eine Flöte draus schnitzen. O Spielmann, lieber Spielmann mein, das wird ein seltsam Spielen sein! O Leide, weh! O Leide! Der Spielmann setzt die Flöte an und läßt sie laut erklingen: O Wunder, was nun da begann, welch seltsam traurig Singen! Es klingt so traurig und doch so schön, wer's hört, der möcht' vor Leid vergehn! O Leide, Leide! "Ach, Spielmann, lieber Spielmann mein! Das muß ich dir nun klagen: Um ein schönfarbig Blümelein hat mich mein Bruder erschlagen! Im Walde bleicht mein junger Leib, mein Bruder freit ein wonnig Weib!" O Leide, Leide, weh! Der Spielmann ziehet in die Weit', läßt' überall erklingen, Ach weh, ach weh, ihr lieben Leut', was soll denn euch mein Singen? Hinauf muß ich zu des Königs Saal, hinauf zu des Königs holdem Gemahl! O Leide, weh, o Leide!
Text Authorship:
- by Gustav Mahler (1860 - 1911) [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 Gustav Mahler (1860 - 1911), "Der Spielmann", from Das klagende Lied, no. 2 [sung text checked 1 time]
Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- CAT Catalan (Català) (Salvador Pila) , "El joglar", copyright © 2021, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- ENG English (Ahmed E. Ismail) , "The minstrel", copyright © 2006, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- FRE French (Français) (Guy Laffaille) , "Le ménestrel", copyright © 2009, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- ITA Italian (Italiano) (Ferdinando Albeggiani) , "Il menestrello", copyright © 2009, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 35
Word count: 199
By the willow tree, among cool firs, Where jackdaws and ravens flutter, There lay a blond knight Buried under leaves and flowers. There it is so calm and fragrant, As if tears wafter through the air! O sorrow, woe! O sorrow! One day a minstrel came that way And saw a little bone gleaming; He lifted it up, as if it were a reed, And began to carve it into a flute. O minstrel, my dear minstrel, What strange tales it will tell! O sorrow, woe! O sorrow! The minstrel set the flute to his lips And let it resound: O miracle, what now began, What a curious and mournful song! Its song was so doleful and yet so lovely, That hearing it might cause one to die! O sorrow, sorrow! "Oh minstrel, my dear minstrel This must I now lament to you: For a beautifully-colored little flower Has my brother struck me dead! In the wood were my young bones bleached, While my brother courted a lovely wife!" O sorrow, sorrow, woe! The minstrel traveled far and wide, Everywhere playing his song. "Ah me, ah me, my dear friends, What will you make of my song? Up must I go, to the king's hall, Up to the king's lovely bride! O sorrow, woe! O sorrow!"
Text Authorship:
- Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2006 by Ahmed E. Ismail, (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 Gustav Mahler (1860 - 1911)
This text was added to the website: 2006-03-30
Line count: 35
Word count: 216