Das tiefe Kämmerlein
Language: German (Deutsch)
Available translation(s): ENG FRE
Es grub der Tod ein Kämmerlein,
Grub's in die Erde tief,
Gar weit von Schmerz und Sonnenschein --
Mein schöner Liebster schlich hinein
Und schlief.
Ich kniee draußen ganz allein
Und klopfe an die Thür:
"Wenn du mich liebst, erbarm' dich mein
Und tritt aus deinem Kämmerlein
Herfür!"
Nichts regt sich! Nur des Käuzchens Schrein
Irrt durch die Luft so hohl!
Ein Schauer rinnt durch mein Gebein --
Wie schwarz die Nacht, wie kalt der Stein . . .
"Leb wohl . . ."
Confirmed with Anna Ritter, Befreiung. Neue Gedichte, Fünfte Auflage, Stuttgart: J.G. Cotta'sche Buchhandlung Nachfolger, 1900, page 23.
Authorship:
Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive):
Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- ENG English (Sharon Krebs) , "The deep little chamber", copyright © 2023, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- FRE French (Français) (Pierre Mathé) , "La petite chambre profonde", copyright © 2012, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
Research team for this page: Emily Ezust
[Administrator] , Sharon Krebs
[Guest Editor] This text was added to the website: 2008-07-01
Line count: 15
Word count: 82
The deep little chamber
Language: English  after the German (Deutsch)
Death dug a little chamber,
Dug it deep into the earth,
Far, far from pain and sunshine --
My beautiful love crept into it
And slept.
I kneel outside quite alone
And knock upon the door:
"If you love me, take pity on me
And come out of your little chamber,
Come out!"
Nothing stirs! Only the owl's cry
Strays through the air so hollowly!
A shudder runs through my bones --
How black the night, how cold the stone . . .
"Farewell . . . "
Authorship:
- Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2023 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:
This text was added to the website: 2023-11-14
Line count: 15
Word count: 86