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Der Gefangene: Die Gedanken sind frei, Wer kann sie erraten? Sie rauschen vorbei Wie nächtliche Schatten. Kein Mensch kann sie wissen, Kein Jäger sie schießen; Es bleibet dabei, Die Gedanken sind frei. Das Mädchen: Im Sommer ist gut lustig sein Auf hohen wilden Heiden, Dort findet man grün Plätzelein, Mein herzverliebtes Schätzelein, Von dir mag ich nit scheiden. Der Gefangene: Und sperrt man mich ein Im finstern Kerker, Dies alles sind nur Vergebliche Werke; Denn meine Gedanken Zerreißen die Schranken Und Mauern entzwei, Die Gedanken sind frei. Das Mädchen: Im Sommer ist gut lustig sein Auf hohen wilden Bergen; Man ist da ewig ganz allein, Man hört da gar kein Kindergeschrei, Die Luft mag einem da werden. Der Gefangene: So sei es, wie es will, Und wenn es sich schicket, [Nur alles in der Still]1; Und was mich erquicket, Mein Wunsch und Begehren Niemand kann's [mir]2 wehren; Es bleibet dabei, Die Gedanken sind frei. Das Mädchen: Mein Schatz, du singst so fröhlich hier Wie's Vögelein in dem Grase; Ich steh so traurig bei Kerkertür, Wär ich doch tot, wär ich bei dir, Ach, muß ich denn immer klagen? Der Gefangene: Und weil du so klagst, Der Lieb ich entsage, Und ist es gewagt, So kann mich nicht plagen! So kann ich im Herzen Stets lachen, bald scherzen; Es bleibet dabei, Die Gedanken sind frei.
1 Mahler: "nur all's in der Still'"
2 not set by Mahler.
Authorship:
- from Volkslieder (Folksongs) , appears in Des Knaben Wunderhorn [author's text not yet checked 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), "Lied des Verfolgten im Turm", 1898, published 1899 [ voice and orchestra or piano ], from Lieder aus "Des Knaben Wunderhorn" (formerly "Humoresken"), no. 8 [sung text checked 1 time]
Set in a modified version by Anonymous/Unidentified Artist.
Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- CAT Catalan (Català) (Salvador Pila) , "Cançó del perseguit a la torre", copyright © 2021, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- ENG English (Emily Ezust) , "Song of the persecuted man in the tower", copyright ©
- FRE French (Français) (Guy Laffaille) , "Chant du prisonnier dans la tour", copyright © 2009, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- ITA Italian (Italiano) (Ferdinando Albeggiani) , "Canto del prigioniero nella torre", copyright © 2009, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- SPA Spanish (Español) (Elena María Accinelli) , "Canción del perseguido en la torre", copyright © 2005, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
Researcher for this page: Jakob Kellner
This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 54
Word count: 224
The prisoner: Thoughts are free, who can guess them? They rush past like nocturnal shadows. No man can know them, no hunter can shoot them; for it remains thus: thoughts are free. The maiden: In summer it is good to be merry on high, wild meadows, where one finds a green little place; my heart's beloved treasure, I do not wish to part from you! The prisoner: And if they lock me up in a dark dungeon, it is all only in vain that they try, for my thoughts rip apart the barriers and break the walls in two: thoughts are free! The maiden: In summer it is good to be merry on high, wild mountains; one is always alone there; one hears no children shrieking, and the air is so inviting. The prisoner: So may it be, just as it is; and if it is proper, may it be in silence; And what gladdens my heart, my wish and desire, no one can restrain; for it remains thus: thoughts are free. The maiden: My darling, you sing so cheerfully here, as if you were a bird in the grass; and I stand so sadly by the dungeon door. If only I were dead, or if only I were with you! Alas! must I always lament? The prisoner: And because you lament so, I will renounce love, and if I dare, then nothing will torment me. So in my heart I can always laugh and joke, for it remains thus: thoughts are free!
Authorship:
- Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © by Emily Ezust
Emily Ezust permits her translations to be reproduced without prior permission for printed (not online) programs to free-admission concerts only, provided the following credit is given:
Translation copyright © by Emily Ezust,
from the LiederNet Archive -- https://www.lieder.net/For any other purpose, please write to the e-mail address below to request permission and discuss possible fees.
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Based on:
- a text in German (Deutsch) from Volkslieder (Folksongs) , appears in Des Knaben Wunderhorn
This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 54
Word count: 253