Seven Songs to words by Elisabeth Kulmann, in memory of the poetess

Song Cycle by Robert Schumann (1810 - 1856)

View original-language texts alone: Sieben Lieder von Elisabeth Kulmann zur Erinnerung an die Dichterin

Dedication 

These modest songs are dedicated to the memory of a girl who ceased to
linger among us long ago, and whose name only a very few will
recognize. And yet she may have been one of those wonderfully gifted
beings who appear but rarely, at infrequent intervals on this
earth. One encounters here, issuing from the mouth of a child, the
most sublime teachings of wisdom, pronounced with masterly poetic
perfection. In her poems, one must read for one's self how her life,
spent in quiet obscurity, in deepest poverty, blossomed to the richest
blessedness.  These few little poems, selected from thousands, of
which only a small number lend themselves to composition, cannot give
even an approximate picture of her nature. Her whole life was poetry,
and out of this rich existence only individual moments could be
selected. 

If these songs could contribute to introducing the poetess
into circles in which she is not yet known, then they would have
fulfilled their purpose. In Germany as well, she shall surely sooner
or later be greeted as the bright star, which, already recognized
three decades ago by a few individuals in the north, shall gradually
shed its light over all lands. (Düsseldorf, 7 June 1851)

[Postlude]

She died on the 19th of November 1825 in her 17th year, actively
creating poetry until her very last moments. It is among her final
poems that one also finds the remarkable "Dream Vision after my
Death", in which she describes her own passing. It is perhaps one of
the loftiest masterpieces of poetry. Thus she parted from us, gently
as an angel crossing over from one shore to the other, but leaving
behind her the luminous trail of a heavenly vision shining over a wide
expanse.
1. Mond, meiner Seele Liebling
 (Sung text)
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Mond, meiner Seele Liebling,
Wie schaust du heut' so blass?
Ist eines deiner Kinder,
O Mond, vielleicht unpass?

Kam dein Gemahl, die Sonne,
Vielleicht dir krank nach Haus?
Und du trittst aus der Wohnung,
Weinst deinen Schmerz hier aus?

Ach! guter Mond, ein gleiches
Geschick befiel auch mich.
Drin liegt mir krank die Mutter,
Hat mich nur jetzt um sich!

So eben schloss ihr Schlummer
Das Aug' ein Weilchen zu;
Da wich, mein Herz zu stärken,
Vom Ort ich ihrer Ruh.

Trost sei mir, Mond, dein Anblick,
Ich leide nicht allein:
Du bist der Welt Mitherrscher,
Und kannst nicht stets dich freun!

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Note: at the top of the Schumann score is the following text: "Die Dichterin, den 17. Juli 1808 in St. Petersburg geboren, verlor frühzeitig ihren Vater und von sieben Briidern sechs, die Letzteren in den Schlachten der Jahre 1812-14. Es blieb ihr nur die Mutter, die sie mit zärtlicher Liebe bis an ihr Ende verehrte. Aus den zahlreichen Gedichten an sie, ist das folgende ausgewählt."
by Elisabeth Kulmann (1808 - 1825)
1.
Language: English 
Moon, beloved of my soul,
Why are you so pale today?
Is one of your children,
Oh moon, perhaps under the weather?
 
Did your spouse, the sun,
Perhaps come home to you unwell?
And you have stepped out of your abode
And are weeping out your sorrow here?
 
Ah, good moon, the same fate
Has befallen me, too.
Indoors my mother lies ill,
I am the only child she has left!
 
Sleep has only just closed
Her eyes for a little while;
I crept away from where she was resting,
To gather strength for my heart.
 
May the sight of you, moon, be a comfort to me;
I do not suffer alone:
You are the co-regent of the world,
And you too cannot always be happy!

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 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.
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Translation of the text at the top of the score: "The poetess, born in St. Petersburg on the 5th of July 1808, lost her father and six of her seven brothers early in her life. The latter died in the battles of 1812-14. Only her mother remained, whom she honoured with tender love until her death. From the many poems written to her mother, the following has been selected."


This text was added to the website: 2015-03-20
Line count: 20
Word count: 126

Translation © by Sharon Krebs
2. Viel Glück zur Reise, Schwalben!
 (Sung text)
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Viel Glück zur Reise, Schwalben!
Ihr eilt, ein langer Zug,
Zum schönen warmen Süden
In frohem kühnen Flug.

Gern möchte wohl die Reise
Ich einmal tun mit euch,
Zu seh'n die tausend Wunder,
Die darbeut jedes Reich.

Doch immer käm ich wieder,
Wie schön auch jedes Land,
Und reich an Wundern wäre,
Zurück in's Vaterland.

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Note: at the top of the Schumann score is the following text: "Obwohl deutscher Herkunft, und in deutscher Sprache wie ihrer Muttersprache dichtend, ist die Dichterin eine warme Patriotin ; an unzähligen Stellen preist sie die Schönheiten des nordischen Himmels. Das folgende Gedicht ist ein Beleg dazu."
by Elisabeth Kulmann (1808 - 1825)
2.
Language: English 
Lots of luck for the journey, swallows!
You are hurrying, a large flock,
To the beautiful, warm south
In joyous, bold flight.
 
I would very much like to make
The journey with you once,
To see the thousands of wonders
That every kingdom offers [to us].
 
But I would always return;
No matter how beautiful
Each country is, and full of wonders,
[I would come] back to my homeland!

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 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.
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Translation of the text at the top of the score: "Although of German descent, and writing poetry in German as if it were her native language, the poetess is a warm [Russian] patriot. In countless passages [in her poems] she praises the beauties of the Nordic skies. The following poem attests to that."


This text was added to the website: 2015-03-20
Line count: 12
Word count: 69

Translation © by Sharon Krebs
3. Du nennst mich armes Mädchen
 (Sung text)
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Du nennst mich -- armes Mädchen;
Du irrst, ich bin nicht arm.
Entreiss dich, Neugier halber,
Einmal des Schlafes Arm,

Und schau' mein niedres Hüttchen,
Wenn sich die Sonne hold
Am Morgenhimmel hebet:
Sein Dach ist reines Gold!

Komm' Abends, wann die Sonne
Bereits zum Meere sinkt,
Und sieh' mein einzig Fenster,
Wie's von Topasen blinkt!

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Note: at the top of the Schumann score is the following text: "Es wurde ihr wohl von unverständigen Kindern ihre Armuth manchmal vorgeworfen; das folgende Lied ist eine Antwort darauf."

by Elisabeth Kulmann (1808 - 1825)
3. You call me "poor girl"
Language: English 
You call me "poor girl";
You're wrong - I am not poor.
Why don't you, out of curiosity, tear yourself
From the arms of sleep,
 
And see my lowly hut,
When in beauty the sun
Rises in the morning sky:
Its roof is pure gold!
 
Come in the evening, when the sun
Is already sinking into the sea,
And see my only window,
How it sparkles with topaz jewels!

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 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.
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Translation of the text at the top of the Schumann Schumann score: "Sometimes ignorant children must have made fun of her because of her poverty. The following poem is her response to their taunts."


This text was added to the website: 2015-03-20
Line count: 12
Word count: 68

Translation © by Sharon Krebs
4. Der Zeisig
 (Sung text)
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Wir sind ja, Kind, im Maie,
Wirf Buch und Heft von dir!
Komm' einmal her in's Freie,
Und sing' ein Lied mit mir.

Komm, singen fröhlich beide
Wir einen Wettgesang,
Und wer da will, entscheide,
Wer von uns besser sang!

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Note: at the top of the Schumann score is the following text: "Ein Lied aus ihrem frühsten Mädchenalter, vielleicht schon im elften Jahre gedichtet. So reizend naive enthalten die Dichtungen jener Zeit an die Hundert. Auf das tiefste spiegelt sie überall die Wirklichkeit ab."

by Elisabeth Kulmann (1808 - 1825)
4. The siskin
Language: English 
It is May, child,
Cast aside your schoolbooks!
Come here into the outdoors
And sing a song with me.
 
Come, let us cheerfully compete
With each other in song,
And whoever wishes to, may decide
Which of us sang better!

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 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.
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Note: the original title of the translation was "The finch" (a more familiar type of bird)
Translation of the text at the top of the Schumann score: "A poem from her earliest girlhood, perhaps written already in her eleventh year. There are close to a hundred such delightfully naive pieces in the poetry of that period. In every sense they reflect reality most profoundly."


This text was added to the website: 2015-03-20
Line count: 8
Word count: 40

Translation © by Sharon Krebs
5. Reich mir die Hand, o Wolke
 (Sung text)
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Reich mir die Hand, o Wolke,
Heb mich zu dir empor!
Dort stehen meine Brüder
Am offnen Himmelstor.

Sie sind's, obgleich im Leben
Ich niemals sie geseh'n:
Ich seh' in ihrer Mitte
Ja unsern Vater steh'n!

Sie schau'n auf mich hernieder,
Sie winken mir zu sich.
O reich' die Hand mir, Wolke,
Schnell, schnell erhebe mich!

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Note: at the top of the Schumann score is the following text: "Wie oft in ihren Dichtungen beschäftigt sie sich visionsartig mit ihren Hingeschiedenen. Mit herrlicher Liebe hängt sie an dieser Welt, ihren Blumen, den leuchtenden Gestirnen. den edlen Menschen, die ihr auf ihrem kurzen Lebensweg begegneten. Aber es ahnt ihr dass sie sie bald verlassen muss."
by Elisabeth Kulmann (1808 - 1825)
5. Reach out your hand to me, oh cloud
Language: English 
Reach out your hand to me, oh cloud,
Lift me up to where you are!
There my brothers stand
At the open gate of heaven.
 
It is they, although in life
I never once saw them,
For in their midst
I see our father standing!
 
They look down upon me,
They beckon me to their side.
Reach out your hand to me, oh cloud,
Quickly, quickly raise me up!

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 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.
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Translation of the text at the top of the Schumann score: "How often in her poetry does she occupy herself in a visionary manner with her departed family members! She has a heartfelt attachment to this world - its flowers, its shining stars, the noble individuals she encountered during her short life. But she senses that she will soon have to leave this world."


This text was added to the website: 2015-03-20
Line count: 12
Word count: 69

Translation © by Sharon Krebs
6. Die letzten Blumen starben
 (Sung text)
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Die letzten Blumen starben!
Längst sank die Königin
Der warmen Sommermonde,
Die holde Rose hin!

Du, hehre Georgine,
Erhebst nicht mehr dein Haupt!
Selbst meine hohe Pappel
Seh ich schon halb entlaubt.

Bin ich doch weder Pappel,
Noch Rose zart und schlank,
Warum soll ich nicht sinken,
Da selbst die Rose sank?

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Note: at the top of the Schumann score is the following text: "Ein Gedicht voll trüber Todesahnung, wohl aus ihrem letzten Lebensjahr. Sie hatte neben ihrer "Hütte" ein kleines Gärtchen, in dem sie Jahraus, Jahrein, Blumen pflegte. Auch eine Pappel stand in der Nähe."
by Elisabeth Kulmann (1808 - 1825)
6. The last flowers have died
Language: English 
The last flowers have died,
Long ago already, the fair rose,
Queen of the warm summer months,
Has sunk to her rest!
 
You, noble dahlia,
No longer raise your head!
I see that even my lofty poplar
Has already lost half of its leaves.
 
I am neither poplar,
Nor a rose -- delicate and slender,
[Yet] why should I not sink [and fade],
If even roses [have to] sink [and fade]?

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 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.
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Translation of the text at the top of the Schumann score: "A poem full of bleak premonitions of death, likely from her last year of life. Beside her "humble cottage" she had a small garden, in which she cultivated flowers year-in and year-out. A poplar, too, stood nearby."


This text was added to the website: 2015-03-20
Line count: 12
Word count: 70

Translation © by Sharon Krebs
7. Gekämpft hat meine Barke
 (Sung text)
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Gekämpft hat meine Barke
Mit der erzürnten Flut.
Ich seh' des Himmels Marke,
Es sinkt des Meeres Wut.

Ich kann dich nicht vermeiden,
O Tod nicht meiner Wahl!
Das Ende meiner Leiden
Beginnt der Mutter Qual.

O Mutterherz, dich drücke
Dein Schmerz nicht allzu sehr!
Nur wenig Augenblicke
Trennt uns des Todes Meer.

Dort angelangt, entweiche
Ich nimmermehr dem Strand:
Seh' stets nach dir, und reiche
Der Landenden die Hand.

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Note: at the top of the Schumann score is the following text: "Wohl kurz vor ihrem Ende gedichtet. Ihr baldiger Tod scheint ihr gewiss; nur der Gedanke an die zurückbleibende Mutter macht ihr Schmerz, den tiefsten."

by Elisabeth Kulmann (1808 - 1825)
7. My barque has battled
Language: English 
My barque has battled
With the wild waters.
I can see the heavenly realm,
The ocean's rage is subsiding.

I cannot avoid you,
Oh death not of my choosing!
The end of my suffering
Signals the beginning of my mother's agony.

Oh mother, may your sorrow
Not oppress your heart too much!
Only for a few moments
Shall the sea of death divide us.

Once I have arrived [in heaven],
I shall never leave the shore;
Rather, I shall always look towards you
And reach out my hand to help you land.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 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.
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Translation of the text at the top of the Schumann score: "A poem likely written shortly before the end of her life. She seems certain of her approaching death; only the thought of her mother, who will be left behind, causes her pain - the deepest."


This text was added to the website: 2015-03-20
Line count: 16
Word count: 92

Translation © by Sharon Krebs