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Ach, wie lang die Seele schlummert! Zeit ist's, daß sie sich ermuntre. Daß man tot sie wähnen dürfte, also schläft sie schwer und bang, Seit sie jener Rausch bezwang Den in Sündengift sie schlürfte. Doch nun ihrer Sehnsucht Licht Blendend ihr in's Auge bricht: Zeit ist's, daß sie sich ermuntre. Mochte sie gleich taub erscheinen Bei der Engel süßem Chor: Lauscht sie doch wohl zag empor, Hört sie Gott als Kindlein weinen. Da nach langer Schlummernacht Solch ein Tag der Gnad' ihr lacht, Zeit ist's, daß sie sich ermuntre.
About the headline (FAQ)
Text Authorship:
- by Emanuel Geibel (1815 - 1884), no title, appears in Spanisches Liederbuch, in 1. Geistliche Lieder, no. 8 [author's text not yet checked against a primary source]
Based on:
- a text in Spanish (Español) by Anonymous/Unidentified Artist , "Mucho ha que el alma duerme"
Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive):
- by Hugo Wolf (1860 - 1903), "Ach, wie lang die Seele schlummert!", 1889-90, from Spanisches Liederbuch: Geistliche Lieder, no. 8
Score: IMSLP [external link] [sung text checked 1 time]
Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- CAT Catalan (Català) (Salvador Pila) , "Ai, quant de temps l’ànima ha dormit!", copyright © 2021, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- ENG English (Laura Stanfield Prichard) , "Ah, how long the soul slumbers", copyright © 2015, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- FRE French (Français) (Guy Laffaille) , copyright © 2011, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- ITA Italian (Italiano) (Ferdinando Albeggiani) , "Quanto a lungo l'anima dorme!", copyright © 2011, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
This text was added to the website: 2003-11-08
Line count: 16
Word count: 89
Ah, how long the soul slumbers! It’s time for it to awaken. One would think it were dead, Since its sleep is so difficult and fearful, As it was overcome by intoxication From the poison of sin it sipped. Yet [even] now the light of its yearning Refracts dazzlingly in your eye: It’s time for it to awaken. It may seem to be deaf To the angel's sweet chorus: It listens, completely scared [by the sounds] above, It hears God crying like a baby. Thus after a long night’s sleep Such a day of grace will [burst out in] laughter, It’s time for it to awaken.
Text Authorship:
- Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2015 by Laura Stanfield Prichard, (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 Emanuel Geibel (1815 - 1884), no title, appears in Spanisches Liederbuch, in 1. Geistliche Lieder, no. 8
Based on:
- a text in Spanish (Español) by Anonymous/Unidentified Artist , "Mucho ha que el alma duerme"
This text was added to the website: 2015-12-27
Line count: 16
Word count: 106