English translation of Neujahrsnacht

by Bettina von Arnim, née Brentano (1785 - 1859), "Neujahrsnacht"

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

Vorsänger:
Herzchen im Turme,
Schlagende Uhr,
Klinge im Sturme
Durch die Natur;
Bring uns die ferne
Sonne zurück,
Feurige Sterne
Ahnden dies Glück,
Himmlisch getragen
Bringst du das Jahr,
Zwölf hat's geschlagen,
Deutlich und klar.

 ...

Text Authorship:

Go to the general single-text view

Confirmed with Achim von Arnim Werke, Band 5, Achim von Arnim Gedichte, herausgegeben von Ulfert Ricklefs, Frankfurt am Main: Deutscher Klassiker Verlag, 1994, pages 911-914

Note: the Arnim setting has no mention of the character "Vorsänger"

Researcher for this page: Sharon Krebs [Senior Associate Editor]
 ... 

Fröhliche Schwestern,
Singet erfreut:
"Eben war gestern,
Eben ist heut!"
Dreht sich das Alte
Neuend zurück,
Schalte und walte
Glück und Geschick;
Herrliche Brüder,
Haltet nicht ein,
Zeitengefieder
Rauschet beim Wein.

Taumelnd beginnet,
Was sich erneut,
Wer sich besinnet,
Ist nicht erfreut.
Kindisch noch kriechet,
Lallet das Jahr,
Schauet, uns flieget
Kindisch das Haar;
Suchet nicht Kränze,
Suchet das Glas,
Hier an der Grenze
Beißt nicht ins Gras.

Immer im Dunkel
Kommet das Jahr,
Weinesgefunkel
Machet es klar,
Tropfen zu Tropfen
Reifte die Zeit,
Suchen und Hoffen
Führte uns weit.
All im Geblüte
Füllt uns die Kraft,
Fühlt wie die Blüte
Welten sich schafft.

Text Authorship:

Go to the general single-text view

Confirmed with Achim von Arnim Werke, Band 5, Achim von Arnim Gedichte, herausgegeben von Ulfert Ricklefs, Frankfurt am Main: Deutscher Klassiker Verlag, 1994, pages 213-214


Researcher for this page: Sharon Krebs [Senior Associate Editor]
Author(s): Karl Joachim ("Achim") Friedrich Ludwig von Arnim (1781 - 1831)
Cantor:
Little heart in the tower,
Striking clock,
Sound in the storm
Out through nature;
Bring back to us
The distant sun,
Fiery stars
Anticipate this happiness,
Borne in a heavenly manner
You bring the new year,
It has struck twelve,
Plainly and clearly.

 ...

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2016 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:

Go to the general single-text view

Poet’s title: Silvester Lied Translated titles:
"Silvester Lied" = "Song for the day of St. Silvester"
"Neujahrsnacht" = "New Year's Eve"


 ... 

Blithe sisters,
Sing rejoicingly:
"It was only just yesterday,
It is only just today!"
When the old now turns
Renewingly back,
May good fortune and fate
Have free reign;
Glorious brethren,
Do not leave off,
The plumage of time
Swishes when one is drinking wine.

Falteringly begins
That which renews itself,
He who reflects
Is not delighted.
Childishly still creeping
Babbles the year,
Look, our hair still flies
Childishly about us;
Do not seek wreaths,
Seek the glass,
Here upon the threshold
Do not bite the dust.

Always in darkness
The year comes,
The sparkle of wine
Makes it clear;
Drop after drop
Time ripened,
Seeking and hoping
Led us far.
In all our veins
Strength fills us,
It feels how the blossom
Creates worlds for itself.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2016 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:

Go to the general single-text view

Translated titles:
"Walzer in der Neujahrsnacht" = "Waltz on New Year's Eve"
"Neujahrsnacht" = "New Year's Eve"


Translation © by Sharon Krebs