by (Friedrich) Ludwig Würkert (1800 - 1876)
Translation © by Sharon Krebs

Abschied
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Our translations:  ENG
Strahle mit Wonne,
Leuchtende Sonne,
    Nieder in's Blumenland,
    Wo ich den Himmel fand;
Scheuche die Wolken früh,
Leuchte dem Kummer nie!

Freundlich o bleibe
Gold'ne Mondscheibe,
    Laß ach dein Angesicht
    Mit dem Orangenlicht 
Ueber dem Hause stehn, 
Wo du mein Glück gesehn.

Friedliche Sterne,
Bin ich auch ferne
    Hier von dem theuern Ort
    Glänzet ihr immer fort!
Werft [um]1 der Liebe Thal
Liebend den Silberschwall!

Rosige Stunden,
Die ich [empfunden]2, 
    Gießet das Leben mild
    In der Einn'rung Bild!
Wie auch die Schatten ziehn,
Laßt nur die Seele glühn!

Werden und schwinden,
Suchen und finden
    Wechseln im Leben ab
    Bis an das stille Grab.
Liebe, mit dir allein
Möcht' ich begraben seyn!

J. Lang sets stanzas 1, 3-5

View original text (without footnotes)

Confirmed with Abend-Zeitung, 44. (Freitag, am 20. Februar 1824), Dresden: in der Arnoldischen Buchhandlung, page 173. Note: a typo in this edition has been corrected above in stanza 3, line 6 ("Silbershwal" -> "Silberschwall")

Note: There are three manuscripts of Lang's song.

1 Lang (version 3): "in", but "um" when the text is repeated
2 Lang (version 1): "gefunden"

Text 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) , "Farewell", copyright © 2023, (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: 2023-02-08
Line count: 30
Word count: 114

Farewell
Language: English  after the German (Deutsch) 
Shine blissfully,
Radiant sun,
    Down into the land of flowers,
    Where I found heaven;
Chase off the early clouds,
Never light sorrow the way!

Oh, remain amiable,
Golden disc of the moon,
    Let, ah, your face
    With its orange light
Stand over the house
Where you saw my happiness.

Peaceful stars,
Though I am far away
    From the dear place here
    You shine evermore!
Lovingly throw your silver shower [about]1
The valley of love!

Rosy hours
That I [enjoyed]2,
    Pour gentle life
    Into memory's image!
Howsoever the shadows may move,
Only let my soul glow!

Becoming and disappearing,
Seeking and finding
    Alternate throughout life
    Until the quiet grave.
Love, with you alone
I would like to be buried!

View original text (without footnotes)
1 Lang (V3): "into", but "about" when the text is repeated
2 Lang (V1): "found"

Text 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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This text was added to the website: 2023-02-08
Line count: 30
Word count: 121