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Die Nacht kommt still gezogen Mit ihrem dunkeln Haar, Es kommt ihr nachgeflogen Der Träume bunte Schaar. Ich steure mit meiner Süßen In die stille Fluth hinein, Die Abendwinde grüßen Stillflüsternd im blauen Rhein; Die Weidenbäume schwanken Am Strand in stiller Ruh', Und raunen duft'ge Gedanken Der spielenden Woge zu; Am Himmel die Sternlein gaukeln, Wie glänzendes Edelgestein, Die träumenden Wellen schaukeln Den leuchtenden Wiederschein. Da steigt in seinem Glanze Der bleiche Mond herauf Hinter dem Bergeskranze In heimlich stillem Lauf. Hei! wie er schwelgt und leuchtet In seinem Zauberschein Und glühende Liebe beichtet Dem frischen, blauen Rhein! Ein treuer Buhle, grüßt er So recht aus vollem Muth, Und sanfterröthend küßt er Die spiegelhelle Fluth. [Wir aber, von Lust durchdrungen, Schaukeln im Wellenschaum, Und halten uns liebumschlungen, Und träumen seligen Traum.]1
About the headline (FAQ)
View text without footnotesNote: the original poem appeared with the title "Die Rheinfahrt vom 24. August 1840"
1 In Kinkel's setting:
Wir aber im Traum zerflossen, Schaukeln in seeliger Lust Und halten uns liebumschlossen, Und lehnen Brust an Brust.
Text Authorship:
- by Sebastian Longard (1817 - 187?92), "Nächtliche Fahrt" [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 Johanna Kinkel (1810 - 1858), "Rheinfahrt", op. 16 (Sechs Lieder) no. 5, published 1841 [ voice and piano ] [sung text checked 2 times]
- by Wilhelm Mayer (1831 - 1898?), "Nachtlied" [ soprano or tenor and piano ], from 3 Gesänge, no. 2 [sung text not yet checked]
Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- ENG English (Anja Bunzel) , "Journey on the River Rhine", copyright © 2014, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
Researcher for this page: Harry Joelson
This text was added to the website: 2012-09-18
Line count: 32
Word count: 132
The night approaches With ist dark hair; A colourful bunch of dreams Follows the night. With my beloved, I move towards the floods. Whispering silently, the evening breeze Greets us on the blue river Rhine. Peacefully, the willows Dither at the beach. They murmur sweet thoughts To the playing waves. Like brilliant jewels, The stars shine in the sky, They are reflected in the Bright dreaming waves. Then, the clear moon rises With its shine, Behind the mountains Secretly and quietly. Hui the moon basks In its magic shine And burning love is Confessed to the fresh blue Rhine. The loyal moon greets Full of encouragement, The moon blushes And kisses the bright water. Distracted by our dreams, We swing happily And we embrace each other And we lean against each other.
Text Authorship:
- Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2014 by Anja Bunzel, (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:
- a text in German (Deutsch) by Sebastian Longard (1817 - 187?92), "Nächtliche Fahrt"
This text was added to the website: 2014-07-24
Line count: 32
Word count: 132