Attention! Some of this material is not in the public domain.
It is illegal to copy and distribute our copyright-protected material without permission. It is also illegal to reprint copyright texts or translations without the name of the author or translator.
If you wish to reprint translations, please use the Reprint Basket (upper right hand corner).
Reminder: You must always use the copyright symbol © when you reprint copyright-protected material.
Der Sänger saß auf Ufershöhen, Tief in dem Busen bittern Harm, "Die Menschen wollen nicht verstehen, Was mich bewegt so liebewarm;" "Und was ich hochbeglückt gesungen Aus vollem tiefen Herzensdrang, Es ist wohl ungehört verklungen Im wildbewegten Menschendrang." "Drum will ich von der Erde gehen, Nimm du mich auf, o stille Fluth, Vielleicht, daß drüben sie verstehen Des vollen Herzens Liebesgluth." Er nimmt die Laute in die Arme, Und preßt sie an den bleichen Mund: Und schnell verlischt das liebewarme, Das hohe Herz im Meeresgrund. Die Laute schwamm auf klaren Wogen Leicht aus der Tiefe aufgeschwebt; So ist sie freudig fortgezogen Von leisem Geisterton umbebt.
Confirmed with Frauentaschenbuch für das Jahr 1817 von de la Motte Fouqué, Nürnberg: bei Joh. Leonh. Schrag, pages 239-240
Text Authorship:
- by Anonymous / Unidentified Author ( Gr. Szr or Syr or Sze ) , "Der Sänger", first published 1817 [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 Friedrich Oestreich (1800 - 1840), "Der Sänger", published [1817] [ voice and piano ], from Lieder und Gesänge mit Begleitung des Pianoforte , no. 4, Leipzig: Im Commission der Dykischen Buchhandlung; Leipzig: Gedruckt bei Breitkopf und Härtel [sung text not yet checked]
Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- ENG English (Sharon Krebs) , "The minstrel", copyright © 2016, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
Researcher for this page: Sharon Krebs [Senior Associate Editor]
This text was added to the website: 2016-01-04
Line count: 20
Word count: 105
The minstrel sat upon the heights along the shore, With bitter grief deep within his bosom; "People do not want to understand That which moves me so warmly and lovingly;" "And what I sang in great rapture From the full, deep urgings of my heart, It seems to have died away unheard In the wild turbulence of mankind’s striving." "Therefore I wish to depart from the earth, Receive me, oh silent floodwaters, Perhaps over yonder they might understand The full heart’s glowing love." He takes his lute in his arms, And presses it against his pale lips: Und quickly the noble heart, warm with love, Is extinguished in the depths of the sea. The lute floated upon the clear waves, Lightly risen from the deep; Thus it happily passed away over the sea, A quiet ghostly sound trembling about it.
Text Authorship:
- Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2016 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.
Contact: licenses@email.lieder.example.net
Based on:
- a text in German (Deutsch) by Anonymous/Unidentified Artist , "Der Sänger", first published 1817
This text was added to the website: 2016-01-04
Line count: 20
Word count: 140