Zwölf Gesänge nach Gedichten von Hermann Hesse

Nun der Tag mich müd gemacht,
Soll mein sehnliches Verlangen
Freundlich die gestirnte Nacht
Wie ein müdes Kind empfangen. 

Hände, laßt von allem Tun,
Stirn vergiß du alles Denken,
Alle meine Sinne nun
Wollen sich in Schlummer senken. 

Und die Seele unbewacht
Will in freien Flügen schweben,
Um im Zauberkreis der Nacht
Tief und tausendfach zu leben.

Text Authorship:

by Hermann Hesse (1877 - 1962), "Beim Schlafengehen", written 1911, first published 1911?

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Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):

CAT Catalan (Català) (Salvador Pila) , "A l'anar a dormir", copyright © 2008, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
DUT Dutch (Nederlands) (Geart van der Meer) , "Bij 't slapengaan", copyright © 2013, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
DUT Dutch (Nederlands) [singable] (Lau Kanen) , "Bij het slapen gaan", copyright © 2013, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
ENG English (Emily Ezust) , "While going to sleep", copyright ©
ENG English (Sharon Krebs) , copyright © 2017, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
FRE French (Français) (Pierre Mathé) , "En allant dormir", copyright © 2008, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
FRI Frisian [singable] (Geart van der Meer) , "Slieperstiid", copyright © 2013, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
ITA Italian (Italiano) (Francesco Campanella) , "Addormentandosi", copyright © 2006, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
NOR Norwegian (Bokmål) (Marianne Beate Kielland) , "Ved sovetid", copyright © 2011, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
SAN Sanskrit (संस्कृतम्) (Holger Christian Teipel-Jahr) , "प्रस्वापे", copyright © 2021, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
SPA Spanish (Español) (Abel Alamillo Fernández) , "Al irse a dormir", copyright © 2005, (re)printed on this website with kind permission

Please note: this text, provided here for educational and research use, is in the public domain in Canada and the U.S., 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.

Research team for this page: John Versmoren , Sharon Krebs [Guest Editor]

Gib uns deine milde Hand!
Von der Mutter Hand gerissen
Irren wir in Finsternissen
Kinder durch ein fremdes Land.

Manchmal wenn es dunkel war,
Schenkte eine Heimatweise
Deiner Stimme wunderbar
Licht und Trost der bangen Reise.

Wandrer ohne Ziel und Pfad
Irren wir in dunklen Weiten;
Wolle du uns gnädig leiten,
Bis der große Morgen naht!

Text Authorship:

by Hermann Hesse (1877 - 1962), "An die Schönheit", written 1900, appears in Neue deutsche Lyriker III , in An die Schönheit, first published 1919

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Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):

CAT Catalan (Català) (Salvador Pila) , copyright © 2023, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
ENG English (Sharon Krebs) , "To Beauty", copyright © 2014, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
FRE French (Français) (Pierre Mathé) , copyright © 2017, (re)printed on this website with kind permission

Please note: this text, provided here for educational and research use, is in the public domain in Canada and the U.S., 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 page: Sharon Krebs [Guest Editor]

Immer bin ich ohne Ziel gegangen,
Wollte nie zu einer Rast gelangen,
Meine Wege schienen ohne Ende. 

Endlich sah ich, daß ich nur im Kreise
Wanderte, und wurde müd der Reise. 
Jener Tag war meines Lebens Wende. 

Zögernd geh ich nun dem Ziel entgegen,
Denn ich weiß: auf allen meinen Wegen
Steht der Tod und bietet mir die Hände.

Text Authorship:

by Hermann Hesse (1877 - 1962), "Dem Ziel entgegen", written 1906

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Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):

CAT Catalan (Català) (Salvador Pila) , copyright © 2023, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
ENG English (Sharon Krebs) , copyright © 2017, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
FRE French (Français) (Pierre Mathé) , "Vers le but", copyright © 2013, (re)printed on this website with kind permission

Please note: this text, provided here for educational and research use, is in the public domain in Canada and the U.S., 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.

Research team for this page: John Versmoren , Sharon Krebs [Guest Editor]

Mir zittern die Saiten
Und stimmen die Weise an,
Die ich für dich vorzeiten,
Die ich für dich in einem Mai
Aus lauter Glück ersann.

Ich führe den Bogen
So scheu und leis gespannt,
Wie ich ihn da gezogen,
Da ich in einer fernen Nacht
Vor deinem Fenster stand.

Mein Herz ist beklommen
Von Liedern andrer Zeit --
Weiß Gott, wie das gekommen,
Daß mir aus deiner Liebe ward
So eitel Weh und Leid.

Text Authorship:

by Hermann Hesse (1877 - 1962), "Con sordino", written 1899, appears in Neue deutsche Lyriker III , in An die Schönheit, in Der Geiger, no. 2, first published 1919

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Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):

CAT Catalan (Català) (Salvador Pila) , copyright © 2023, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
ENG English (Sharon Krebs) , "Con sordino", copyright © 2014, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
FRE French (Français) (Pierre Mathé) , "Con sordino", copyright © 2013, (re)printed on this website with kind permission

Please note: this text, provided here for educational and research use, is in the public domain in Canada and the U.S., 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.

Research team for this page: Ferdinando Albeggiani , Sharon Krebs [Guest Editor]

Sonne, leuchte mir ins Herz hinein,
Wind, verweh mir Sorgen und Beschwerden!
Tiefere Wonne weiß ich nicht auf Erden,
Als im Weiten unterwegs zu sein.

Nach der Ebene nehm ich meinen Lauf,
Sonne soll mich sengen, Meer mich kühlen;
Unsrer Erde Leben mitzufühlen,
Tu ich alle Sinne festlich auf.

Und so soll mir jeder neue Tag
Neue Freunde, neue Brüder weisen,
Bis ich leidlos alle Kräfte preisen,
Aller Sterne Gast und Freund sein mag.

Text Authorship:

by Hermann Hesse (1877 - 1962), "Reiselied", written 1911

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Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):

CAT Catalan (Català) (Salvador Pila) , copyright © 2023, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
ENG English (Sharon Krebs) , copyright © 2017, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
FRE French (Français) (Pierre Mathé) , copyright © 2018, (re)printed on this website with kind permission

Please note: this text, provided here for educational and research use, is in the public domain in Canada and the U.S., 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.

Research team for this page: Emily Ezust [Administrator] , Sharon Krebs [Guest Editor]

So weiß im reichen Maienblust 
Die schmucken Bäume stehen, 
Es muß die ganze Blütenlust 
Im nächsten Wind verwehen. 

Auch deine jungen Tage, Kind, 
Und deine Lustgebärden, 
Sie müssen bald, so hold sie sind, 
Verblühn und dunkel werden. 

In Schmerzen nur und Dunkelheit 
Wird süße Frucht geboren. 
Doch ist sie reif, so war kein Leid 
Und war kein Weh verloren.

Text Authorship:

by Hermann Hesse (1877 - 1962), "Kind im Frühling", written 1907

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Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):

CAT Catalan (Català) (Salvador Pila) , copyright © 2025, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
ENG English (Sharon Krebs) , copyright © 2019, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
FRE French (Français) (Pierre Mathé) , copyright © 2017, (re)printed on this website with kind permission

Please note: this text, provided here for educational and research use, is in the public domain in Canada and the U.S., 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.

Research team for this page: Emily Ezust [Administrator] , Sharon Krebs [Guest Editor]

Du stehst von Sommerfreude trunken
Im seligen Licht und atmest kaum,
Der Himmel scheint in deinen Kelch versunken,
Die Lüfte wehn in deinem Flaum.

Und wenn sie alle Schuld und Pein
Von meiner Seele könnten wehen,
So dürft ich wohl dein Bruder sein
Und stille Tage bei dir stehen.

So wäre meinen Weltenfahrten
Ein selig leichtes Ziel ersehn,
Gleich dir durch Gottes Träumegarten
Als blauer Sommertraum zu gehn.

Text Authorship:

by Hermann Hesse (1877 - 1962), "Enzianblüte", written 1913

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Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):

CAT Catalan (Català) (Salvador Pila) , "Flor de genciana", copyright © 2024, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
ENG English (Sharon Krebs) , "Gentian flower", copyright © 2018, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
FRE French (Français) (Pierre Mathé) , "Fleur de gentiane", copyright © 2017, (re)printed on this website with kind permission

Please note: this text, provided here for educational and research use, is in the public domain in Canada and the U.S., 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.

Research team for this page: Emily Ezust [Administrator] , Sharon Krebs [Guest Editor]

O wie die Tage verblühn
Gleich kühlen Tänzen!
Keiner will lodern und glänzen,
Keiner will sprühn!

Da ich ein Knabe war,
Da liefen die Stunden
Mädchenleicht, blumenumwunden
Und Kränze im Haar.

Heile mich, selige Frau,
Der ich vergeblich klage,
Dann sind voll Glück alle Tage
Und alle Himmel blau!

Text Authorship:

by Hermann Hesse (1877 - 1962), "Jüngling", written 1910

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Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):

CAT Catalan (Català) (Salvador Pila) , copyright © 2025, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
ENG English (Sharon Krebs) , copyright © 2018, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
FRE French (Français) (Pierre Mathé) , copyright © 2017, (re)printed on this website with kind permission

Please note: this text, provided here for educational and research use, is in the public domain in Canada and the U.S., 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.

Research team for this page: Emily Ezust [Administrator] , Sharon Krebs [Guest Editor]

Wolken, leichte Schiffer, fahren
Über mir und rühren mich
Mit den zarten, wunderbaren
Farbenschleiern wunderlich.

Aus der blauen Luft entquollen,
Eine farbig schöne Welt,
Die mich mit geheimnisvollen
Reizen oft gefangen hält.

Leichte, lichte, klare Schäume,
Alles Irdischen befreit,
Ob ihr schöne Heimwehträume
Der befleckten Erde seid?

Text Authorship:

by Hermann Hesse (1877 - 1962), "Wolken"

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Please note: this text, provided here for educational and research use, is in the public domain in Canada and the U.S., 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.

Research team for this page: Emily Ezust [Administrator] , Sharon Krebs [Guest Editor]

Nachts, wenn das Meer mich wiegt
Und bleicher Sternenglanz
Auf seinen weiten Wellen liegt,
Dann löse ich mich ganz
Von allem Tun und aller Liebe los
Und stehe still und atme bloß
Allein, allein vom Meer gewiegt,
Das still und kalt mit tausend Lichtern liegt.
Dann muß ich meiner Freunde denken
Und meinen Blick in ihre Blicke senken,
Und frage jeden still allein:
"Bist du noch mein?
Ist dir mein Leid ein Leid, mein Tod ein Tod?
Fühlst du von meiner Liebe, meiner Not
Nur einen Hauch, nur einen Widerhall?"

Und ruhig blickt und schweigt das Meer
Und lächelt: Nein.
Und nirgendwo kommt Gruß und Antwort her.

Text Authorship:

by Hermann Hesse (1877 - 1962), "Bei Nacht", written 1911

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Please note: this text, provided here for educational and research use, is in the public domain in Canada and the U.S., 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 Hermann Hesse, Sämtliche Werke, herausgegeben von Volker Michels, Band 10 Die Gedichte, bearbeitet von Peter Huber, Frankfurt am Main: Suhrkamp Verlag, 2002, page 178.

Research team for this page: Emily Ezust [Administrator] , Sharon Krebs [Guest Editor]

Du bist, mein stilles Tal,
Verzaubert und versunken. 
Oft hast du mir in Not und Qual
Empor aus deinem Schattenland gewunken
Und deine Mädchenaugen aufgetan,
Daß ich entzückt in kurzem Wahn
Mich ganz zu dir zurück verlor. 

O dunkles Tor, 
O dunkle Todesstunde, 
Komm du heran, daß ich gesunde 
Und daß aus dieses Lebens Leere
Ich heim zu meinen Träumen kehre!

Text Authorship:

by Hermann Hesse (1877 - 1962), "Die Kindheit", written 1912

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Please note: this text, provided here for educational and research use, is in the public domain in Canada and the U.S., 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.

Research team for this page: John Versmoren , Sharon Krebs [Guest Editor]

Seltsam, im Nebel zu wandern!
Einsam ist jeder Busch und Stein,
Kein Baum sieht den andern,
Jeder ist allein.

Voll Freunden war mir die Welt,
Als noch mein Leben licht war;
Nun, da der Nebel fällt,
Ist keiner mehr sichtbar.

Wahrlich, keiner ist weise,
Der nicht das Dunkel kennt,
Das unentrinnbar und leise
Von allen ihn trennt.

Seltsam, im Nebel zu wandern!
Leben ist Einsamsein.
Kein Mensch kennt den andern,
Jeder ist allein.

Text Authorship:

by Hermann Hesse (1877 - 1962), "Im Nebel", written 1905

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Please note: this text, provided here for educational and research use, is in the public domain in Canada and the U.S., 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.

Research team for this page: Emily Ezust [Administrator] , Sharon Krebs [Guest Editor]

Song Cycle by Alfred Stier (1880 - 1968)

1. Beim Schlafengehen
(Sung text)

2. An die Schönheit
(Sung text)

3. Das Ziel
(Sung text)

4. Con sordino
(Sung text)

5. Reiselied
(Sung text)

6. Kindlein im Frühling
(Sung text)

7. Enzianblüte
(Sung text)

8. Jüngling
(Sung text)

9. Wolken
(Sung text)

10. Bei Nacht
(Sung text)

11. Die Kindheit
(Sung text)

12. Im Nebel
(Sung text)

Zwölf Gesänge nach Gedichten von Hermann Hesse

Song Cycle by Alfred Stier (1880 - 1968)

1. Beim Schlafengehen (Sung text)

2. An die Schönheit (Sung text)

3. Das Ziel (Sung text)

4. Con sordino (Sung text)

5. Reiselied (Sung text)

6. Kindlein im Frühling (Sung text)

7. Enzianblüte (Sung text)

8. Jüngling (Sung text)

9. Wolken (Sung text)

10. Bei Nacht (Sung text)

11. Die Kindheit (Sung text)

12. Im Nebel (Sung text)

1. Beim Schlafengehen
(Sung text)

2. An die Schönheit
(Sung text)

3. Das Ziel
(Sung text)

4. Con sordino
(Sung text)

5. Reiselied
(Sung text)

6. Kindlein im Frühling
(Sung text)

7. Enzianblüte
(Sung text)

8. Jüngling
(Sung text)

9. Wolken
(Sung text)

10. Bei Nacht
(Sung text)

11. Die Kindheit
(Sung text)

12. Im Nebel
(Sung text)