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Am einsamen Strande plätschert die Flut, Der Mond ist aufgegangen, Auf weißer Düne der Ritter ruht, Von bunten Träumen befangen. Die schönen Nixen, im Schleiergewand, Entsteigen der Meerestiefe. Sie nahen sich leise dem jungen Fant, Sie glaubten wahrhaftig, er schliefe. Die eine betastet mit Neubegier Die Federn auf seinem Barette. Die andre nestelt am Bandelier Und an der Waffenkette. Die dritte lacht, und ihr Auge blitzt, Sie zieht das Schwert aus der Scheide, Und auf dem blanken Schwert gestützt Beschaut sie den Ritter mit Freude. Die vierte tänzelt wohl hin und her Und flüstert aus tiefem Gemüte: "O, daß ich doch dein Liebchen wär, Du holde Menschenblüte!" Die fünfte küßt des Ritters Händ, Mit Sehnsucht und Verlangen; Die sechste zögert und küßt am End Die Lippen und die Wangen. Der Ritter ist klug, es fällt ihm nicht ein, Die Augen öffnen zu müssen; Er läßt sich ruhig im Mondenschein Von schönen Nixen küssen.
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Text Authorship:
- by Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856), "Die Nixen", appears in Neue Gedichte, in Romanzen, no. 11 [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 Leonhard Bulmanns, né Sandro Blumenthal (1874 - 1919), "Am einsamen Strande plätschert die Flut" [sung text not yet checked]
- by Don Forsythe (1932 - 2015), "Die Nixen", 2008, published c2008 [ high voice and piano ], from Romanzen, no. 11 [sung text not yet checked]
- by Gustav Gutheil (1868 - 1914), "Die Nixen", op. 14 (Sechs Lieder) no. 3 [sung text not yet checked]
- by Friedrich Wilhelm Kücken (1810 - 1882), "Die Nixen", op. 100, published 1876 [sung text not yet checked]
- by Oscar Malata (1875 - 1959), "Am einsamen Strande plätschert die Flut", from Lieder, no. 4 [sung text not yet checked]
- by Carl Nicola (1797 - 1875), "Die Nixen: Ballade von Heine", op. 22 [sung text not yet checked]
- by Jacques Offenbach (1819 - 1880), "Am Ufer", subtitle: "Notturno nach Heinrich Heine", 1869?, published 1876-1877 [ medium voice and piano or orchestra ], in the Le Journal de musique, June 3 1876 to May 26 1877, also set in French (Français) [sung text not yet checked]
- by Karl Gottlieb Reissiger (1798 - 1859), "Die Nixen: Gedicht von Heine", published 1842 [sung text not yet checked]
- by Othmar Schoeck (1886 - 1957), "Am einsamen Strande plätschert die Flut", WoO. 96 (1904?), note: fragment. [sung text not yet checked]
- by Johann Vesque von Püttlingen (1803 - 1883), "Die Nixen", op. 39 (Sechs Gedichte von Heine) no. 4 (1844-51?) [sung text not yet checked]
- by Gotthard Wöhler (1818 - 1888), "Die Nixen", op. 10 (Vier Romanzen von Eichendorff und Heine) no. 2 [sung text not yet checked]
Settings in other languages, adaptations, or excerpts:
- Also set in French (Français), a translation by Louis Gestin ; composed by Jacques Offenbach.
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- Also set in French (Français), a translation by Gérard Labrunie (1808 - 1855) ; composed by Henri-Pierre Poupard, as Henri Sauguet.
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- Also set in Italian (Italiano), a translation by Bernardino Zendrini (1839 - 1879) ; composed by Roberto Barattani, Filippo Filippi, Luigi Mancinelli.
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Other available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- ENG English (Michael P Rosewall) , copyright © 2026, (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: 28
Word count: 153
The tide laps upon the lonely strand, The moon has risen, A knight rests upon a white dune, Enchanted by vivid dreams. The beautiful naiads, in gossamer gowns, Rise up from the depths of the sea. Softly they approach the young dandy, Truly believing that he is asleep. The first one, with fresh hunger, Touches the feathers of his cap. The second works at his sword-belt And the chain of his weapon. The third laughs, and her eyes flash; She draws the sword from its sheath, And, leaning upon the polished blade, Regards the knight with delight. The fourth dances to and fro Whispering from the depths of her heart: "Ah, were I your beloved, You lovely bloom of humankind!" The fifth kisses the knight's hand With longing and desire; The sixth hesitates, and finally Kisses his lips and cheeks. The knight is clever; he would never Dream of opening his eyes; But lies resting in the moonlight, Being kissed by beautiful sea-maidens.
About the headline (FAQ)
Translations of titles:
"Am Ufer" = "On the Shore"
"Am einsamen Strande plätschert die Flut" = "The tide laps on the lonely strand"
"Die Nixen" = "The Sea-Maidens"
"Die Nixen: Ballade von Heine" = "The Sea-Maidens: A Ballad by Heine"
"Die Nixen: Gedicht von Heine" = "The Sea-Maidens: A Poem by Heine"
Text Authorship:
- Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2026 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 Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856), "Die Nixen", appears in Neue Gedichte, in Romanzen, no. 11
This text was added to the website: 2026-10-03
Line count: 28
Word count: 163