Es ist so lange her [ ... ]
My Dark Hands = Mein dunklen Hände
Song Cycle by Günter Raphael (1903 - 1960)
Word count: 562
?. Da ich älter wurde [sung text not yet checked]
Authorship
- by Paridam von dem Knesebeck (c1911 - 2000), "Da ich älter wurde", appears in Mein dunklen Hände. Moderne Negerlyrik in Original und Nachdichtung, first published 1953, copyright © [author's text checked 1 time against a primary source]
- by Eva Hesse (1925 - 2020), "Da ich älter wurde", appears in Mein dunklen Hände. Moderne Negerlyrik in Original und Nachdichtung, first published 1953, copyright © [author's text checked 1 time against a primary source]
- a text in English by (James Mercer) Langston Hughes (1902 - 1967), "As I grew older", appears in The Weary Blues, first published 1926
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This text may be copyright, so we will not display it until we obtain permission to do so or discover it is public-domain.Confirmed with: Mein dunklen Hände. Moderne Negerlyrik in Original und Nachdichtung, herausgegeben und übertragen von Eva Hesse und Paridam von dem Knesebeck, München: Nymphenburger Verlag, 1953, pages 7 and 9.
1. As I grew older [sung text not yet checked]
It was a long time ago. I have almost forgotten my dream. But it was there then, In front of me, Bright like a sun-- My dream. And then the wall rose, Rose slowly, Slowly, Between me and my dream. Rose slowly, slowly, Dimming, Hiding, The light of my dream. Rose until it touched the sky, The wall. Shadow. I am black. I lie down in the shadow. No longer the light of my dream before me, Above me. Only the thick wall. Only the shadow. My hands! My dark hands! Break through the wall! Find my dream! Help me to shatter this darkness, To smash this night, To break this shadow Into a thousand lights of sun, Into a thousand whirling dreams Of sun!
Authorship
- by (James Mercer) Langston Hughes (1902 - 1967), "As I grew older", appears in The Weary Blues, first published 1926 [author's text checked 1 time against a primary source]
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Please note: this text, provided here for educational and research use, is in the public domain in Canada, but it may still be copyright in other legal jurisdictions. The LiederNet Archive makes no guarantee that the above text is public domain in your country. Please consult your country's copyright statutes or a qualified IP attorney to verify whether a certain text is in the public domain in your country or if downloading or distributing a copy constitutes fair use. The LiederNet Archive assumes no legal responsibility or liability for the copyright compliance of third parties.
Confirmed with: Mein dunklen Hände. Moderne Negerlyrik in Original und Nachdichtung, herausgegeben und übertragen von Eva Hesse und Paridam von dem Knesebeck, München: Nymphenburger Verlag, 1953, pages 6 and 8.
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
2. Snail [sung text not yet checked]
Little snail, Dreaming you go. Weather and rose Is all you know. Weather and rose Is all you see, Drinking The dewdrop's Mystery.
Authorship
- by (James Mercer) Langston Hughes (1902 - 1967), "Snail", appears in Fields of Wonder, first published 1947 [author's text checked 1 time against a primary source]
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Please note: this text, provided here for educational and research use, is in the public domain in Canada, but it may still be copyright in other legal jurisdictions. The LiederNet Archive makes no guarantee that the above text is public domain in your country. Please consult your country's copyright statutes or a qualified IP attorney to verify whether a certain text is in the public domain in your country or if downloading or distributing a copy constitutes fair use. The LiederNet Archive assumes no legal responsibility or liability for the copyright compliance of third parties.
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]2. Die Schnecke [sung text not yet checked]
Kleine Schnecke [ ... ]
Authorship
- by Paridam von dem Knesebeck (c1911 - 2000), "Die Schnecke", appears in Mein dunklen Hände. Moderne Negerlyrik in Original und Nachdichtung, first published 1953, copyright © [author's text checked 1 time against a primary source]
- by Eva Hesse (1925 - 2020), "Die Schnecke", appears in Mein dunklen Hände. Moderne Negerlyrik in Original und Nachdichtung, first published 1953, copyright © [author's text checked 1 time against a primary source]
- a text in English by (James Mercer) Langston Hughes (1902 - 1967), "Snail", appears in Fields of Wonder, first published 1947
Go to the single-text view
This text may be copyright, so we will not display it until we obtain permission to do so or discover it is public-domain.Confirmed with Mein dunklen Hände. Moderne Negerlyrik in Original und Nachdichtung, herausgegeben und übertragen von Eva Hesse und Paridam von dem Knesebeck, München: Nymphenburger Verlag, 1953, page 61.
3. Minstrel man [sung text not yet checked]
Because my mouth Is wide with laughter And my throat Is deep with song, You do not think I suffer after I have held my pain So long. Because my mouth Is wide with laughter, You do not hear my inner cry? Because my feet Are gay with dancing You do not know I die?
Authorship
- by (James Mercer) Langston Hughes (1902 - 1967), "Minstrel man", appears in The Dream Keeper and Other Poems, first published 1932 [author's text checked 1 time against a primary source]
See other settings of this text.
Please note: this text, provided here for educational and research use, is in the public domain in Canada, but it may still be copyright in other legal jurisdictions. The LiederNet Archive makes no guarantee that the above text is public domain in your country. Please consult your country's copyright statutes or a qualified IP attorney to verify whether a certain text is in the public domain in your country or if downloading or distributing a copy constitutes fair use. The LiederNet Archive assumes no legal responsibility or liability for the copyright compliance of third parties.
Confirmed with Mein dunklen Hände. Moderne Negerlyrik in Original und Nachdichtung, herausgegeben und übertragen von Eva Hesse und Paridam von dem Knesebeck, München: Nymphenburger Verlag, 1953, page 24.
Researcher for this text: Sharon Krebs [Guest Editor]
3. Bänkelsänger [sung text not yet checked]
Nur weil mein Mund [ ... ]
Authorship
- Singable translation by Paridam von dem Knesebeck (c1911 - 2000), "Bänkelsänger", appears in Mein dunklen Hände. Moderne Negerlyrik in Original und Nachdichtung, first published 1953, copyright © [author's text checked 1 time against a primary source]
- Singable translation by Eva Hesse (1925 - 2020), "Bänkelsänger", appears in Mein dunklen Hände. Moderne Negerlyrik in Original und Nachdichtung, first published 1953, copyright © [author's text checked 1 time against a primary source]
- a text in English by (James Mercer) Langston Hughes (1902 - 1967), "Minstrel man", appears in The Dream Keeper and Other Poems, first published 1932
See other settings of this text.
This text may be copyright, so we will not display it until we obtain permission to do so or discover it is public-domain.View original text (without footnotes)
Confirmed with Mein dunklen Hände. Moderne Negerlyrik in Original und Nachdichtung, herausgegeben und übertragen von Eva Hesse und Paridam von dem Knesebeck, München: Nymphenburger Verlag, 1953, page 25.
1 Reutter: "Vom"2 Reutter: "mein"
4. Desert [sung text not yet checked]
Anybody Better than Nobody. In the barren dusk Even the snake That spirals Terror on the sand -- Better than nobody In this lonely Land.
Authorship
- by (James Mercer) Langston Hughes (1902 - 1967), "Desert", appears in Fields of Wonder, in Border Line, no. 15, first published 1947 [author's text checked 1 time against a primary source]
See other settings of this text.
Please note: this text, provided here for educational and research use, is in the public domain in Canada, but it may still be copyright in other legal jurisdictions. The LiederNet Archive makes no guarantee that the above text is public domain in your country. Please consult your country's copyright statutes or a qualified IP attorney to verify whether a certain text is in the public domain in your country or if downloading or distributing a copy constitutes fair use. The LiederNet Archive assumes no legal responsibility or liability for the copyright compliance of third parties.
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]4. Wüste [sung text not yet checked]
Irgendwer/ Ist besser als [ ... ]
Authorship
- by Paridam von dem Knesebeck (c1911 - 2000), "Wüste", appears in Mein dunklen Hände. Moderne Negerlyrik in Original und Nachdichtung, first published 1953, copyright © [author's text checked 1 time against a primary source]
- by Eva Hesse (1925 - 2020), "Wüste", appears in Mein dunklen Hände. Moderne Negerlyrik in Original und Nachdichtung, first published 1953, copyright © [author's text checked 1 time against a primary source]
- a text in English by (James Mercer) Langston Hughes (1902 - 1967), "Desert", appears in Fields of Wonder, in Border Line, no. 15, first published 1947
Go to the single-text view
This text may be copyright, so we will not display it until we obtain permission to do so or discover it is public-domain.Confirmed with Mein dunklen Hände. Moderne Negerlyrik in Original und Nachdichtung, herausgegeben und übertragen von Eva Hesse und Paridam von dem Knesebeck, München: Nymphenburger Verlag, 1953, page 59.
5. Drum [sung text not yet checked]
Bear in mind That death is a drum Beating forever Till the last worms come To answer its call, Till the last stars fall, Until the last atom Is no atom at all, Until time is lost And there is no air And space itself Is nothing nowhere. Death is a drum, A signal drum, Calling all life To come, come, Come.
Authorship
- by (James Mercer) Langston Hughes (1902 - 1967), "Drum", first published <<1953 [author's text checked 1 time against a primary source]
See other settings of this text.
Please note: this text, provided here for educational and research use, is in the public domain in Canada, but it may still be copyright in other legal jurisdictions. The LiederNet Archive makes no guarantee that the above text is public domain in your country. Please consult your country's copyright statutes or a qualified IP attorney to verify whether a certain text is in the public domain in your country or if downloading or distributing a copy constitutes fair use. The LiederNet Archive assumes no legal responsibility or liability for the copyright compliance of third parties.
Confirmed with Mein dunklen Hände. Moderne Negerlyrik in Original und Nachdichtung, herausgegeben und übertragen von Eva Hesse und Paridam von dem Knesebeck, München: Nymphenburger Verlag, 1953, page 32.
Researcher for this text: Sharon Krebs [Guest Editor]
5. Trommel [sung text not yet checked]
Wisse, Herz [ ... ]
Authorship
- by Paridam von dem Knesebeck (c1911 - 2000), "Trommel", appears in Mein dunklen Hände. Moderne Negerlyrik in Original und Nachdichtung, first published 1953, copyright © [author's text checked 1 time against a primary source]
- by Eva Hesse (1925 - 2020), "Trommel", appears in Mein dunklen Hände. Moderne Negerlyrik in Original und Nachdichtung, first published 1953, copyright © [author's text checked 1 time against a primary source]
- a text in English by (James Mercer) Langston Hughes (1902 - 1967), "Drum", first published <<1953
See other settings of this text.
This text may be copyright, so we will not display it until we obtain permission to do so or discover it is public-domain.Confirmed with Mein dunklen Hände. Moderne Negerlyrik in Original und Nachdichtung, herausgegeben und übertragen von Eva Hesse und Paridam von dem Knesebeck, München: Nymphenburger Verlag, 1953, page 33.