Drie Liederen uit de Wijzangen

Song Cycle by Gert Oost (b. 1943)

1. I am here to sing  [sung text not yet checked]

Language: English 
I am here to sing thee songs.
In this hall of thine I have a corner seat.

In thy world I have no work to do;
My useless life can only break out 
in tunes without a purpose.

When the hour strikes for thy silent worship
at the dark temple of midnight,
command me, my master, 
to stand before thee to sing.

When in the morning air,
the golden harp is tuned,
honour me, commanding my presence.

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

  • FRE French (Français) (Pierre Mathé) , "Je suis ici pour chanter des chants", copyright © 2013, (re)printed on this website with kind permission

Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]

2. Now I ask you  [sung text not yet checked]

Language: English 
I have had my invitation to this world's festival,
and thus my life has been blessed.

My eyes have seen and my ears have heard.
It was my part [at this feast]1 
to play upon my instrument 
and I have done all I could.

Now, I ask, has the time come at last 
when I may go in 
and see thy face 
and offer thee my silent salutation?

Text Authorship:

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

  • FRE French (Français) (Pierre Mathé) , copyright © 2014, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
  • GER German (Deutsch) (Bertram Kottmann) , copyright © 2014, (re)printed on this website with kind permission

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1 omitted by Sohal.

Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]

3. Shall I stand before thee?  [sung text not yet checked]

Language: English 
Day after day, O lord of my life, 
shall I stand before thee face to face? 
With folded hands, O lord of all worlds, 
shall I stand before thee face to face?

Under thy great sky in solitude and silence, 
with humble heart 
shall I stand before thee face to face?

In this laborious world of thine, 
tumultuous with toil and with struggle, 
among hurrying crowds 
shall I stand before thee face to face?

And when my work shall be done in this world, 
O King of kings, 
alone and speechless shall I stand before thee
face to face?

Text Authorship:

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

  • IRI Irish (Gaelic) [singable] (Gabriel Rosenstock) , copyright © 2016, (re)printed on this website with kind permission

Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
Total word count: 245