Attention! Some of this material is not in the public domain.
It is illegal to copy and distribute our copyright-protected material without permission. It is also illegal to reprint copyright texts or translations without the name of the author or translator.
If you wish to reprint translations, please use the Reprint Basket (upper right hand corner).
Reminder: You must always use the copyright symbol © when you reprint copyright-protected material.
Es steht auf seinem Katheder Der Hofrath und docirt, Der Meister, der mit Ruhme Ebraica traktirt. Rings lauschen die Studenten Andächtig, wie er spricht; Da stutzt er, und bedenklich Umwölkt sich sein Gesicht. Hier steht ein Aleph, ruft er, Was will das Aleph hier? Wo kommt es her? Vergebens Den Kopf zerbrech' ich mir. Mit neun und neunzig Gründen Darauf beweist er scharf, Daß hier bei Leib und Leben Kein Aleph stehen darf. Und wer den Text verballhornt, Beschließt er indignirt, Hätt' besser Schafe gehütet, Als Habakuk ediert. Er schlägt aufs Buch im Zorne, Da springt das Aleph weg -- Was ihn so sehr verdrossen, War nur ein Fliegendreck.
About the headline (FAQ)
Confirmed with Emanuel Geibels Gesammelte Werke in acht Bänden, Vierter Band, Spätherbstblätter - Heroldsrufe, Dritte Auflage, Stuttgart: Verlag der J.G. Cotta'schen Buchhandlung Nachfolger, 1893, pages 177-178.
Text Authorship:
- by Emanuel Geibel (1815 - 1884), no title, appears in Spätherbstblätter, in Jugendlieder (1835-1842), no. 6 [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 Eduard Schön (1825 - 1879), "Das Aleph", published 1882 [ men's chorus and piano ], from Chöre und Quartette für Männerstimmen, no. 6, Hamburg: Cranz [sung text not yet checked]
Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- ENG English (Sharon Krebs) , "The aleph", copyright © 2021, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
Researcher for this page: Sharon Krebs [Senior Associate Editor]
This text was added to the website: 2021-03-17
Line count: 24
Word count: 108
Beside his lectern stands The professor and holds forth; The master, who with renown, Is expounding upon Hebraica. Around him the students are Listening raptly as he speaks; Suddenly he stops short, and His face darkens ominously. There is an aleph printed here, he calls out, What is that aleph doing here? Where does it come from? In vain I rack my brains. Thereupon with nine-and-ninety reasons He keenly demonstrates That, by life and limb, No aleph may be there. And whoever thus corrupts the text, He concludes indignantly, Would have been better occupied tending sheep Than editing Habakkuk. He strikes the book in rage, At which the aleph leaps away -- That which upset him so much Was only a fly speck.
Text Authorship:
- Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2021 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.
Contact: licenses@email.lieder.example.net
Based on:
- a text in German (Deutsch) by Emanuel Geibel (1815 - 1884), no title, appears in Spätherbstblätter, in Jugendlieder (1835-1842), no. 6
This text was added to the website: 2021-03-17
Line count: 24
Word count: 122