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Was singst du in den Zweigen, O Vöglein, ohne Ruh? Es klingt dein Lied so eigen, Sprich, warum singest du? Von früh bis spät erklingen Hör' ich dein helles Singen, O Vöglein, sag', wozu? "Ich singe hier und dorten, Ich singe allezeit; Es fehlt dem Lied an Worten, Weil mir das Herz so weit. Frag' nicht, warum ich singe, Nicht weiß ich's selbst. Ich singe, Weil Singen meine Freud'.["]
About the headline (FAQ)
Confirmed with G.W. Körner's Urania. Musik-Zeitschrift für Alle, Herausgegeben von A. W. Gottschalg, Zweiunddreißigster Jahrgang (1875), No. 9, page 185.
Text Authorship:
- by (Carl Friedrich) Julius Altmann (1814 - 1873), "Vogelgesang" [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 Albert Hermann Dietrich (1829 - 1908), "Vogelgesang", op. 23 (Sechs Lieder für vierstimmigen gemischten Chor) no. 2, published 1871 [ four-part mixed chorus ], Bremen: Praeger & Meier [sung text checked 1 time]
- by Carl Theodor Seiffert (1805 - 1885), "Vogelgesang", op. 3 (Sechs leichte Duette für zwei Singstimmen (auch im Chor zu singen) mit Pianoforte ad lib), Heft 1 no. 2, published 1883 [ vocal duet for soprano and alto or sa chorus with piano ], Bremen: Haake [sung text not yet checked]
- by Oskar Zehrfeld (b. 1854), "Vogelsang", op. 14 (Fünf Lieder für Männerchor) no. 3, published 1887 [ men's chorus ], Dresden, Näumann [sung text not yet checked]
Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- ENG English (Sharon Krebs) , copyright © 2025, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
Research team for this page: Sharon Krebs [Senior Associate Editor], Johann Winkler
This text was added to the website: 2024-03-22
Line count: 14
Word count: 70
What are you singing in the branches, Oh birdlet, without pausing? Your song sounds so distinctive, Tell me, why do you sing? I hear your bright singing Resounding from early till late, Oh birdlet, tell me, what for [do you sing]? "I sing here and there, I sing all the time; The song lacks words Because my heart is so expansive. Do not ask why I sing, I do not even know myself: I sing Because singing is my joy.["]
About the headline (FAQ)
Translations of titles:
"Vogelgesang" = "Birdsong"
"Vogelsang" = "Birdsong"
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 (Carl Friedrich) Julius Altmann (1814 - 1873), "Vogelgesang"
This text was added to the website: 2025-02-02
Line count: 14
Word count: 81