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O traute, traute Stelle, Seitab von jeder Bahn! Wie blickt der Waldteich helle Mich durch die Wildniß an! Wie flüstern die alten Eichen, Die ihn umkränzen, von Ruh, Und die Wasserrosen, die bleichen, Wie lächeln sie hold mir zu! Und am Ufer die morsche Hütte, Bedeckt von blühendem Moos, Sie winkt mir: Komm' und schütte Hier Alles in Gottes Schooß! Und der einsame Vogel droben, Der singt aus dem Wipfel herab, Wie mahnt er mich, Gott zu loben Für Alles, was er mir gab! Und die flinke Libelle dorten, Und der Falter mit leisem Flug, Sie sagen mir's: Allerorten Gibt's noch des Schönen genug! Und jenseits die sammtne Wiese, Sie winkt mir: Wohl nirgends blühn So lichte Blumen wie diese Hier im verborgenen Grün! Und durch der Tannen Lücke O sieh die duftigen Höhn, Wie reden von einstigem Glücke Sie mir so hehr und schön! Und wo der Forst hier offen, Da blaut tief unten ein See, Und lehrt mich gläubig hoffen Auf Frieden nach allem Weh. O Dank dir, traute Stelle, Nein, ich vergeß' es nie, Wie Alles wunderhelle Mir ward verklärt allhie! Und muß den Schritt ich lenken Nun fort von dir, mein Teich, Will in der Welt ich denken Oft an dein Zauberreich.
Confirmed with Liederbuch von Friedrich Oser, 1842-1874. Mit einem biographischen Verzeichnis der Componisten, Basel: Benno Schwabe, Verlagsbuchhandlung, 1875, pages 88-90.
Text Authorship:
- by Friedrich Heinrich Oser (1820 - 1891), "Am Waldteich", appears in Liederbuch, in 1. Naturlieder, no. 98 [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 Gustav Heinrich Graben-Hoffmann (1820 - 1900), "Am Waldteich", op. 93, published 1873 [ vocal trio of female voices or three-part chorus and piano ], Leipzig, Kistner [sung text not yet checked]
- by Jakob Muck (b. 1823) [sung text not yet checked]
- by Jakob Rosenmund (b. 1841) [sung text not yet checked]
- by Friedrich Wilhelm Sering (1822 - 1901), "Am Waldteich", op. 64, published 1869 [ vocal duet with piano ], Berlin: Bote & Bock [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) , "At the forest pond", copyright © 2025, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
Researcher for this page: Sharon Krebs [Guest Editor]
This text was added to the website: 2025-07-08
Line count: 40
Word count: 207
Oh familiar, familiar place, Far off from every pathway! How the forest pond looks at me Brightly through the wilderness! How the old oaks that surround it Whisper of peace, And the waterlilies, the pale ones, How they smile beautifully upon me! And on the bank, the ramshackle hut, Bedecked with blooming moss, It beckons to me: come here and pour Everything into the lap of God! And the solitary bird above, It sings down from the treetop, How it urges me to praise God For everything that He has given me! And the swift dragonfly yonder, And the moth with its quiet flight, They tell me: Everywhere There is still enough of what is beautiful! And yonder, the velvety meadow, It beckons to me: Likely nowhere Do such bright flowers bloom as these Here in the concealed verdure! And through the gap in the firs, Oh, see the scented heights, How loftily and beautifully they Speak to me of past happiness! And where the forest is open here, There far below a lake shows its blueness, And teaches me to hope devoutly For peace after all the pain. Oh, thanks be to you, familiar place, Nay, I shall never forget How everything was wondrously brightly Transfigured for me here! And if I must turn my steps away From you now, my pond, When out in the world, I shall Often think of your magical realm.
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), "Am Waldteich", appears in Liederbuch, in 1. Naturlieder, no. 98
This text was added to the website: 2025-07-10
Line count: 40
Word count: 237