English translation of Der Mensch ist eine Kohle

by Arnold Mendelssohn (1855 - 1933), "Der Mensch ist eine Kohle", published 1900 [ SATB chorus ], from Sechs vierstimmige Chorsätze für S., A., T. und B., no. 4, Leipzig, Rieter-Biedermann ; English title for whole setting is "The human is a coal"

Note: this is a translation of one multi-text setting.

Mensch, du bist eine Kohl',
Gott ist dein Feu'r und Licht;
du bist schwarz, finster und kalt,
liegst du in ihme nicht.

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Text as set by Mendelssohn: 

Mensch, du bist eine Kohl',
Gott ist dein Feu'r und Licht;
du bist schwarz, finster und kalt,
liegst du in ihme nicht.


Researcher for this page: Bertram Kottmann 
Der GOttverliebte Mensch hat sonsten keine Pein
Als daß er nicht kan bald bey GOtt dem Liebsten seyn.

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Mendelssohn uses modern spelling: bey -> bei ; seyn -> sein

Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
Author(s): Johannes Scheffler (1624 - 1677)
Human, you are a coal,
God is your fire and light;
You are black, darksome, cold,
If you do not rest in Him.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2014 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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The human who loves God has otherwise no anguish
Except for not being able to be with God, the most beloved, immediately.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2014 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: 

Based on:

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Translation © by Sharon Krebs