by Johann Ludwig Uhland (1787 - 1862)
Translation by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807 - 1882)
Der schwarze Ritter
Language: German (Deutsch)
Available translation(s): FRE
Pfingsten war, das Fest der Freude, Das da feiern Wald und Heide. Hub der König an zu sprechen: "Auch aus den Hallen Der alten Hofburg allen Soll ein reicher Frühling brechen!" Trommeln und Trommeten schallen, Rote Fahnen festlich wallen. Sah der König vom Balkone; In Lanzenspielen Die Ritter alle fielen Vor des Königs starkem Sohne. Aber vor des Kampfes Gitter Ritt zuletzt ein schwarzer Ritter. "Herr! wie ist Eur Nam und Zeichen?" "Würd ich es sagen, Ihr möchtet zittern und zagen, Bin ein Fürst von großen Reichen." Als er in die Bahn gezogen, Dunkel ward des Himmels Bogen, Und das Schloß begann zu beben. Beim ersten Stoße Der Jüngling sank vom Rosse, Konnte kaum sich wieder heben. Pfeif und Geige ruft zu Tänzen, Fackeln durch die Säle glänzen; Wankt ein großer Schatten drinnen. Er tät mit Sitten Des Königs Tochter bitten, Tät den Tanz mit ihr beginnen. Tanzt im schwarzen Kleid von Eisen, Tanzet schauerliche Weisen, Schlingt sich kalt um ihre Glieder. Von Brust und Haaren Entfallen ihr die klaren Blümlein welk zur Erde nieder. Und zur reichen Tafel kamen Alle Ritter, alle Damen. Zwischen Sohn und Tochter innen Mit bangem Mute Der alte König ruhte, Sah sie an mit stillem Sinnen. Bleich die Kinder beide schienen; Bot der Gast den Becher ihnen: "Goldner Wein macht euch genesen." Die Kinder tranken, Sie täten höflich danken: "Kühl ist dieser Trunk gewesen." An des Vaters Brust sich schlangen Sohn und Tochter; ihre Wangen Täten völlig sich entfärben. Wohin der graue, Erschrockne Vater schaue, Sieht er eins der Kinder sterben. "Weh! die holden Kinder beide Nahmst du hin in Jugendfreude, Nimm auch mich, den Freudelosen!" Da sprach der Grimme Mit hohler, dumpfer Stimme: "Greis! im Frühling brech ich Rosen."
Authorship:
- by Johann Ludwig Uhland (1787 - 1862), "Der schwarze Ritter", appears in Balladen und Romanzen [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 (Leopold) Heinrich (Picot de Peccaduc), Freiherr von Herzogenberg (1843 - 1900), "Der schwarze Ritter", op. 101 (Sechs Balladen für 1 höhere Stimme ) no. 1, published 1898 [ high voice and piano ], Leipzig, Rieter-Biedermann [sung text not yet checked]
- by Johan August Söderman (1832 - 1876), "Der schwarze Ritter", 1874 [ voice and piano ] [sung text not yet checked]
Settings in other languages, adaptations, or excerpts:
- Also set in English, a translation by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807 - 1882) , "The black knight", appears in Hyperion, first published 1839 ; composed by Edward Elgar, Sir.
Other available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- FRE French (Français) (Pierre Mathé) , "Le chevalier noir", copyright © 2008, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
This text was added to the website: 2008-06-02
Line count: 60
Word count: 286
The black knight
Language: English  after the German (Deutsch)
'Twas Pentecost, the Feast of Gladness, When woods and fields put off all sadness, Thus began the King and spake: So from the halls Of ancient Hofburgh's walls, A luxuriant Spring shall break. Drums and trumpets echo loudly, Wave the crimson banners proudly, From balcony the King looked on; In the play of spears, Fell all the cavaliers, Before the monarch's stalwart son. To the barrier of the fight Rode at last a sable Knight. Sir Knight! your name and scutcheon say! Should I speak it here, Ye would stand aghast with fear; I am a Prince of mighty sway! When he rode into the lists, The arch of heaven grew black with mists, And the castle 'gan to rock. At the first blow, Fell the youth from saddle-bow, Hardly rises from the shock. Pipe and viol call the dances, Torch-light through the high hall glances; Waves a mighty shadow in; With manner bland Doth ask the maiden's hand, Doth with her the dance begin; Danced in sable iron sark, Danced a measure weird and dark, Coldly clasped her limbs around. From breast and hair Down fall from her the fair Flowerets, faded, to the ground. To the sumptuous banquet came Every Knight and every Dame. 'Twixt son and daughter all distraught, With mournful mind The ancient King reclined, Gazed at them in silent thought. Pale the children both did look, But the guest a beaker took; Golden wine will make you whole! The children drank, Gave many a courteous thank; Oh, that draught was very cool! Each the father's breast embraces, Son and daughter; and their faces Colourless grow utterly. Whichever way Looks the fear-struck father grey, He beholds his children die. Woe! the blessed children both Takest thou in the joy of youth; Take me, too, the joyless father! Spake the grim Guest, From his hollow, cavernous breast, Roses in the spring I gather!
Authorship:
- by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807 - 1882), "The black knight", appears in Hyperion, first published 1839 [author's text not yet checked against a primary source]
Based on:
- a text in German (Deutsch) by Johann Ludwig Uhland (1787 - 1862), "Der schwarze Ritter", appears in Balladen und Romanzen
Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive):
- by Edward Elgar, Sir (1857 - 1934), "The black knight", op. 25, published 1893 [SATB chorus and orchestra], cantata [text not verified]
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
This text was added to the website: 2008-06-02
Line count: 60
Word count: 316