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Hielt die allerschönste Herrin Einst mein Herz so eng gefesselt, Daß kein Wort es konnte sprechen Aus den engen Fesseln. Sandt' es ab als flinke Diener Feurig schnelle Liebesblicke, Zu besprechen sich im stillen Mit der Herrin Blicken. Sandt' es Pagen, fein und listig; Heimlich schlichen hin die Finger, Schmiegten leise sich und bittend An die schönsten Finger. Sandt' es ab zwei kühne Boten; Sind die Lippen gar verwogen An der Herrin Mund geflogen, Botschaft sich zu holen. "Nun, ihr Boten, Pagen, Diener! Welche Botschaft bringt ihr wieder, Haben Augen, Finger, Lippen Nichts mir zu verkünden?" Und voll Freuden rufen Alle: Juble, Herz! und laß das Zagen, Deine Herrin sendet Gnade, Deine Bande fallen!
Text Authorship:
- by Robert Reinick (1805 - 1852), "Frohe Botschaft", appears in Lieder, in Frühling und Liebe, first published 1844 [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 Hugo Wolf (1860 - 1903), "Frohe Botschaft", from 9 Reinick-Lieder, no. 9 [sung text checked 1 time]
Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- CAT Catalan (Català) (Salvador Pila) , "Joiós missatge", copyright © 2021, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- ENG English (Laura Stanfield Prichard) , "Good news", copyright © 2016, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- FRE French (Français) (Guy Laffaille) , "Bonnes nouvelles", first published 1892, copyright © 2014, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- ITA Italian (Italiano) (Ferdinando Albeggiani) , "Lieto Messaggio", copyright © 2009, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 24
Word count: 115
The most beautiful lady once held My heart so completely spellbound, That it couldn’t speak a word In its initimate bonds. So it sent off, like a clever servant, Quick and fiery loving glances, To consult secretly With my lady’s glances. It sent page boys, subtle and wily; Surreptitiously slipping its fingers, Pleadingly entwining itself With the most beautiful one’s fingers. It sent two bold messengers; [Its] lips were foolhardy enough To fly to my lady’s mouth, To get the news. “Hear this, you messengers, page boys, servants! What news do you bring back? Have these eyes, fingers, lips Nothing to report to me?" And full of joy, they cry as one: Exult, O heart, and tremble no more! Your lady sends her favor, Your bonds are released!
Text Authorship:
- Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2016 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 Robert Reinick (1805 - 1852), "Frohe Botschaft", appears in Lieder, in Frühling und Liebe, first published 1844
This text was added to the website: 2016-09-20
Line count: 24
Word count: 129