by
Nikolaus Lenau (1802 - 1850)
Veränderte Welt
Language: German (Deutsch)
Available translation(s): ENG FRE
Die Menschheit ist dahinter kommen,
Trotz aller Gaukelei der Frommen,
Daß mit dem Leben vor dem Grabe
Man endlich Ernst zu machen habe.
Zerbrochen ist des Wahnes Kette,
Die Erde sei nur Übungsstätte,
Nur Voltigierbock sei das Leben,
Aufs Roß werd uns der Himmel heben.
Auf freiem grünem Erdengrunde
Wird jeder bald schon hier, zur Stunde,
Bevor das Grab ihn deckt mit Schollen,
Sein Rößlein weiden, tummeln wollen.
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 (Peter Palmer) , "Changed world", copyright © 2006, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- FRE French (Français) (Pierre Mathé) , "Monde changé", copyright © 2012, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [
Administrator]
This text was added to the website: 2007-09-26
Line count: 12
Word count: 68
Changed world
Language: English  after the German (Deutsch)
Humanity has come to realize,
In spite of all pious hocus-pocus,
That life before the grave
Is finally something to take seriously.
The fetter of an illusion has been broken,
That the earth is only an exercise yard,
Life only a vaulting-horse,
And that heaven will set us upon a charger.
On earth's green and open ground
Everybody will soon be wanting already, at once,
Before being covered with clods by the grave,
To let his steed graze and frolic.
Authorship:
- Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2006 by Peter Palmer, (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.
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Based on:
This text was added to the website: 2009-03-23
Line count: 12
Word count: 80