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Der Schnee ist dahin, ist verschwommen, In's grosse gewaltige Meer. Die Schwalben sind wieder gekommen, Sie kamen, ich weiss nicht woher. Ich weiss nur, sie fanden sich wieder, Weil Liebe von Liebe nicht lässt, Und lassen sich häuslich hier nieder, Denn Liebe baut Liebe das Nest. Oft, wenn sie von dannen geflogen, Und nahte die Blumenzeit sich, So kamen sie wieder gezogen[‚] Sie kamen, was kümmert es mich? Am liebsten noch sah ich sie scheiden, Weit hin in das wärmere Land, Ich konnt' ihr Geschwätze nicht leiden, Wovon ich noch gar nichts verstand. Oft wenn sie den Schlaf mir vertrieben Geschah’s, daß mein Unmuth sie traf, Ein Mädchen muß etwas doch lieben; Es liebet, ach, es liebet den Schlaf. Doch dießmal wie alte Bekannte, Begrüßt' ich sie froh und sie mich; Gewiß wir sind Sinnes Verwandte! Sie lieben, sie lieben wie ich! Sie schwatzen und schwärmen und träumen, Und treiben viel liebenden Scherz Auf sonnigen Dächern und Bäumen, Und du, du verstehst sie mein Herz! Was ewig ein Räthselwort bliebe, Enträthselt die Zärtlichkeit nur, Die Schwalbe versteht nur die Liebe[,] Die Liebe versteht die Natur.
The text shown is a variant of another text. [ View differences ]
It is based on
- a text in German (Deutsch) by Christoph August Tiedge (1752 - 1841), "Die Schwalben", subtitle: "Ännchen"
Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive):
- by Josephine Lang (1815 - 1880), "Die Schwalben", op. 10 (Sechs Lieder) no. 3 (1835), published 1841 [ voice and piano ], Leipzig, Kistner [sung text checked 1 time]
Other available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- ENG English (Sharon Krebs) , "The swallows", copyright © 2006, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
Researcher for this page: Sharon Krebs [Guest Editor]
This text was added to the website: 2006-11-21
Line count: 32
Word count: 186
The snow is gone, has flowed away Into the great, vast ocean. The swallows have returned, They came back, I know not whence. I only know that they found each other again, Because love does not abandon love, And they are setting up house here, For love builds a nest for love. Often when they had flown away, And the time of flowers approached, Then they came flying back again; They came, what concern was it of mine? I was happiest when I saw them leave For a warmer clime far away. I could not stand their chatter, Of which I as yet understood nothing. Often when they had disturbed my sleep It happened that my displeasure was directed at them, A maiden must love something; She loves, ah, she loves to sleep. But this time, like old friends, I greeted them joyfully and they greeted me; Truly, we are kindred spirits! They love, they love as I do! They chatter and rhapsodize and dream, And indulge in many a loving jest Upon sunny rooves and trees, And you, you understand them, my heart! That which would eternally have remained a mystery, Only tenderness can decipher, Swallows understand only love, Love understands nature.
Authorship:
- Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2006 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 Not Applicable [an adaptation]
Based on:
- a text in German (Deutsch) by Christoph August Tiedge (1752 - 1841), "Die Schwalben", subtitle: "Ännchen"
This text was added to the website: 2006-11-21
Line count: 32
Word count: 204