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Cupo è il sepolcro è mutolo; Tema il suo margo infonde: Una regione incognita In fosco vel nasconde. Tace là dentro il cantico Del rosignol: le rose Dell' amistà non toccano, Che le sue zolle erbose. Invan l'afflita vedova Il seno, il crin si offende: Dell'orfanella il gemito Al fondo suo non scende. Pure ivi è sol la stabile Calma, che l'uom desia: Guida alla vera patria Sol quella cupa via. Povero cuor! dai turbini Sommoso ognor quaggiù, Solo ritrova requie Quando non batte più.
About the headline (FAQ)
Confirmed with Zeitung für die elegante Welt, Leipzig, Verlag von Leopold Voß, 1832, page 1980. Also appears in Ricoglitore Italiano e Straniero, ossia Rivista Mensuale Europea di Scienze, Lettere, Belle arti, Bibliografia e Varietà, Anno IV, Parte I., Milano, Presso Ant. Fort. Stella e Figli, 1837, pages 618-619. No translator is given in this publication, and in stanza 2, line 2, "Del rosignol" was changed to "Dell'ussignol".
Text Authorship:
- by Cesare Cantú (1804 - 1895), "Il sepolcro" [author's text checked 2 times against a primary source]
Based on:
- a text in German (Deutsch) by Johann Gaudenz Freiherr von Salis-Seewis (1762 - 1834), "Das Grab", written 1783, first published 1788
Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive):
- by Giuseppe Verdi (1813 - 1901), "Cupo è il sepolcro è mutolo" [ voice and piano ] [sung text checked 1 time]
Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- ENG English (Will Crutchfield) , copyright © 2025, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
This text was added to the website: 2022-06-11
Line count: 20
Word count: 85
The grave is dark and silent; its border fills us with fear; An unknown land lies hidden beneath its dark veil. There falls silent the song of the nightingale; the roses of friendship fall on its mossy banks. In vain the mourning widdow tears at her hair and breast; the cry of the orphan does not reach to its depths. And yet there alone is the calm for which man yearns: Only that dark path leads to the true homeland. Poor heart! whipped by the whirlwinds here above, it finds its peace only when it beats no more.
About the headline (FAQ)
Translations of titles
"Il sepolcro" = "The Grave"
"Cupo è il sepolcro e mutolo" = "The grave is dark and silent"
Text Authorship:
- Translation from Italian (Italiano) to English copyright © 2025 by Will Crutchfield, (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 Italian (Italiano) by Cesare Cantú (1804 - 1895), "Il sepolcro"
Based on:
- a text in German (Deutsch) by Johann Gaudenz Freiherr von Salis-Seewis (1762 - 1834), "Das Grab", written 1783, first published 1788
This text was added to the website: 2025-05-01
Line count: 20
Word count: 98