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.
To inquire about permissions and rates, contact Emily Ezust at licenses@email.lieder.example.net
If you wish to reprint translations, please make sure you include the names of the translators in your email. They are below each translation.
Note: You must use the copyright symbol © when you reprint copyright-protected material.
Du klagst und fühlest die Beschwerden des Stands, in dem du dürftig lebst. Du strebest glücklicher zu werden und siehst, dass du vergebens strebst. Ja, klage! Gott erlaubt die Zähren, doch denk im Klagen auch zurück. Ist denn das Glück, das wir begehren, für uns auch stets ein wahres Glück? Nie schenkt der Stand, nie schenken Güter dem Menschen die Zufriedenheit. Die wahre Ruhe der Gemüter ist Tugend und Genügsamkeit. Genieße, was dir Gott beschieden, entbehre gern, was du nicht hast. Ein jeder Stand hat seinen Frieden, ein jeder Stand auch seine Last. Gott ist der Herr, und seinen Segen verteilt er stets mit weiser Hand; nicht so, wie wir’s zu wünschen pflegen, doch so, wie er’s uns heilsam fand. Willst du zu denken dich erkühnen, dass seine Liebe dich vergisst? Er gibt uns mehr, als wir verdienen, und niemals, was uns schädlich ist. Verzehre nicht des Lebens Kräfte in träger Unzufriedenheit, besorge deines Stands Geschäfte und nütze deine Lebenszeit! Bei Pflicht und Fleiß sich Gott ergeben, ein ewig Glück in Hoffnung sehn, dies ist der Weg zu Ruh und Leben. Herr, lehre diesen Weg mich gehn!
Text Authorship:
- by Christian Fürchtegott Gellert (1715 - 1769) [author's text not yet checked 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 Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach (1714 - 1788), "Zufriedenheit mit seinem Zustande", Wq 194 no. 2 (1758) [ voice and piano or harpsichord or organ ], from Geistliche Oden und Lieder mit Melodien: Gellert Oden, no. 2 [sung text checked 1 time]
Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- ENG English (Michael P Rosewall) , "Contentment with ones circumstances", copyright © 2023, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
This text was added to the website: 2022-02-22
Line count: 32
Word count: 187
You complain and feel the discomfort Of the circumstances in which you are living. You struggle to become happier And see that you struggle in vain. Yes, complain! God permits such tears, But as you complain, also think back. Is the happiness that we clamor for Always true happiness for us? Neither status nor worldly goods Ever provide fulfillment to mankind. True peace for the soul Comes from virtue and moderation. Be satisfied with what God has provided, Gladly forgo what you do not possess. Every circumstance has its joys, And every circumstance has its burden. God is the Lord, and he bestows His blessings in a wise way; Not always as we might wish it, But in a way that he deems beneficial for us. Could you presume to question That his love has forgotten you? He provides us more than we deserve, And never that which is harmful for us. Do not dissipate your life’s energies With fruitless discontent, Attend to the duties of your circumstances And make good use of your life! Give duty and hard work back to God, In order to see everlasting happiness in hope, That is the way to peace and life. Lord, teach me to walk on this path!
Text Authorship:
- Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2023 by Michael P Rosewall, (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 Christian Fürchtegott Gellert (1715 - 1769)
This text was added to the website: 2023-08-22
Line count: 32
Word count: 207