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Schon ward es finster in der Schlucht, Ich schritt fürbaß auf jähem Steige; Allein mit meines Grames Wucht, Brach ich den Pfad mir durch's Gezweige. Da schlug ich aus den Büschen mich, Und stund auf freier Alpenweide -- Geblendet schlossen plötzlich sich Vor all der Pracht die Augen beide. Wie eine Feuerkugel hell Im Westen noch die Sonne glühte, So hehr, als blickte Gott zur Stell Mir tief in's zagende Gemüthe. Und beten mußt' ich inniglich, Umhallt vom Abendglockenklange: O Herz, mein Herz, was grämst du dich? O Herz, mein Herz, was ist dir bange? Erbau dich still auf Erden hier Am Wiederschein aus jenen Welten, Und einst, o einst wird droben dir Der volle Glanz dein Leid vergelten!
Confirmed with Liederbuch von Friedrich Oser, 1842-1874. Mit einem biographischen Verzeichnis der Componisten, Basel: Benno Schwabe, Verlagsbuchhandlung, 1875, page 113.
Text Authorship:
- by Friedrich Heinrich Oser (1820 - 1891), "Im Gebirge", appears in Liederbuch, in 1. Naturlieder, no. 127 [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 Samuel Hoch (b. 1830) [sung text not yet checked]
- by Philipp Tietz (1816 - 1878) [sung text not yet checked]
Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- ENG English (Sharon Krebs) , "In the mountains", copyright © 2025, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
Researcher for this page: Sharon Krebs [Senior Associate Editor]
This text was added to the website: 2025-08-27
Line count: 20
Word count: 118
It was already growing dark in the chasm, I strode onward upon the precipitous rise; Alone with the brunt of my misery I broke myself a path through the branches. Then I fought my way out of the bushes And stood upon the open alpine meadow Blinded by all the splendour, both my eyes Closed suddenly. Bright as a fiery ball, the sun Still glowed in the west, So sublimely, as if on the spot God was gazing deeply into my fearful spirit. And I felt compelled to pray fervently, Surrounded by the sounds of the evening bells: Oh heart, my heart, why do you fret? Oh heart, my heart, what makes you anxious? Edify yourself quietly here upon earth Upon the reflection from those other worlds, And someday, oh someday on high, the full radiance Will give you recompense for your sufferings!
Text Authorship:
- Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2025 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.
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Based on:
- a text in German (Deutsch) by Friedrich Heinrich Oser (1820 - 1891), "Im Gebirge", appears in Liederbuch, in 1. Naturlieder, no. 127
This text was added to the website: 2025-09-01
Line count: 20
Word count: 143
