Six Poems by Scheffel, Mörike, Goethe and Kerner

Song Cycle by Hugo Wolf (1860 - 1903)

View original-language texts alone: Sechs Gedichte von Scheffel, Mörike, Goethe and Kerner

1. Wächterlied auf der Wartburg
 (Sung text)
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Schwingt euch auf, Posaunen-Chöre,
Daß in sternenklarer Nacht,
Gott der Herr ein Loblied höre,
Von der Thürme hoher Wacht;
Seine Hand führt die Planeten
Sichern Laufs durch Raum und Zeit,
Führt die Seele nach den Fehden
Dieser Welt zur Ewigkeit.

Ein Jahrhundert will zerrinnen
Und ein neues hebt sich an,
Wohl dem, der mit reinen Sinnen
Stetig wandelt seine Bahn!
Klirrt sie auch in Stahl und Eisen,
Gold'ne Zeit folgt der von Erz,
Und zum Heil, das ihm verheißen,
Dringt mit Kampf ein männlich' Herz.

Rüstig mög drum Jeder schaffen,
Was sich ziemt nach Recht und Fug,
In der Kutte, in den Waffen,
In der Werkstatt wie am Pflug :
Dazu, Herr, den Segen spende
Deiner Burg, dem Berg, der Au'...
Netz' an des Jahrhunderts Wende
Sie mit deiner Saelde Tau.

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by Joseph Viktor von Scheffel (1826 - 1886)
1. The watchman's song of Wartburg
Language: English 
Ring out, choir of trumpets,
so that in this star-bright night
God the Lord may hear this song of praise
from the high watchtower.
His hand guides the planets
over a sure course through time and space,
directs souls past the struggles
of this world to Eternity.

A century will melt away
and a new one will ascend;
Happy is he who, with pure thoughts,
keeps steadily on his course.
Even if steel and iron clatter,
a golden age will follow the age of bronze,
and for the salvation that was promised him,
Man will struggle on in battle.

Let everyone then busy himself cheerfully
with what is appropriate and proper,
in cowl or with weapons,
in the workshop as much as at the plough.
Thus, Lord, grant your benediction
on your castle, your mountain and plain,
sprinkle them at this change of centuries
in the dew of your grace.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © by Emily Ezust

    Emily Ezust permits her translations to be reproduced without prior permission for printed (not online) programs to free-admission concerts only, provided the following credit is given:

    Translation copyright © by Emily Ezust,
    from the LiederNet Archive

    For any other purpose, please write to the e-mail address below to request permission and discuss possible fees.


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Line count: 24
Word count: 150

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2. Der König bei der Krönung
 (Sung text)
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Dir angetrauet am Altare,
O Vaterland, wie bin ich dein!
Laß für das Rechte mich und Wahre
Nun Priester oder Opfer sein!

Geuß auf mein Haupt, Herr, deine Schale,
Ein köstlich Öl des Friedens, aus,
Daß ich wie eine Sonne strahle
Dem Vaterland und meinem Haus!

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by Eduard Mörike (1804 - 1875)
2. The king at his coronation
Language: English 
 Wedded to you at the altar,
 O Fatherland, I am yours!
 For the righteous and true, let me
 now be a priest or an offering!
 
 Pour out upon my head, Lord, your cup,
 with the precious oil of peace - pour it out
 so that I can shine like the sun
 upon my Fatherland and my home!

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © by Emily Ezust

    Emily Ezust permits her translations to be reproduced without prior permission for printed (not online) programs to free-admission concerts only, provided the following credit is given:

    Translation copyright © by Emily Ezust,
    from the LiederNet Archive

    For any other purpose, please write to the e-mail address below to request permission and discuss possible fees.


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3. Biterolf
 (Sung text)
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Kampfmüd' und sonn'verbrannt,
Fern an der Heiden Strand,
Waldgrünes Thüringland,
Denk' ich an dich.
Mildklarer Sternenschein,
Du sollst mir Bote sein,
Geh, grüß' die Heimat mein,
Weit überm Meer!

Feinden von allerwärts,
Trotzt meiner Waffen Erz;
Wider der Sehnsucht Schmerz
Schirmt mich kein Schild.
Doch wie das Herz auch klagt,
Ausharr' ich unverzagt:
Wer Gottes Fahrt gewagt,
Trägt still sein Kreuz.

 ...

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by Joseph Viktor von Scheffel (1826 - 1886)
3. Battle-weary and sunburnt
Language: English 
Battle-weary and sunburnt,
far away by the heathen shore -
forest-green Thuringia -
I think of you.
Mild and clear starshine,
you shall be my messenger;
go, greet my homeland
far beyond the sea!

Enemies on every side
my bronze weapons defy;
but against the pain of longing
there is no shield to protect me.
Yet however my heart laments,
I endure without despair:
he who braves God's crusade
must bear his cross in silence.

[ ... ]

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © by Emily Ezust

    Emily Ezust permits her translations to be reproduced without prior permission for printed (not online) programs to free-admission concerts only, provided the following credit is given:

    Translation copyright © by Emily Ezust,
    from the LiederNet Archive

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Line count: 24
Word count: 117

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4. Beherzigung
 (Sung text)
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Feiger Gedanken
bängliches Schwanken,
weibisches Zagen,
ängstliches Klagen
wendet kein Elend,
macht dich nicht frei.

Allen Gewalten
zum Trutz sich erhalten,
nimmer sich beugen,
kräftig sich zeigen,
rufet die Arme
der Götter herbei!

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by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749 - 1832)
4. Cowardly thoughts, timid shaking
Language: English 
Cowardly thoughts,
timid shaking,
womanish hesitation,
fearful lamentation -
they ward off no misery,
they do not make you free.

Gathering all your forces
for the offensive
never to give way,
showing yourself powerful:
this calls the arms
of the Gods to your side!

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © by Emily Ezust

    Emily Ezust permits her translations to be reproduced without prior permission for printed (not online) programs to free-admission concerts only, provided the following credit is given:

    Translation copyright © by Emily Ezust,
    from the LiederNet Archive

    For any other purpose, please write to the e-mail address below to request permission and discuss possible fees.


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5. Wanderers Nachtlied
 (Sung text)
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Der du von dem Himmel bist,
Alles Leid und Schmerzen stillest,
Den, der doppelt elend ist,
Doppelt mit Erquickung füllest,
Ach ich bin des Treibens müde!
Was soll all der Schmerz und Lust?
Süßer Friede,
Komm, ach komm in meine Brust!

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First published in Christliches Magazin Herausgegeben von Joh. Konrad Pfenninger, Dritter Band, 1780, page 243, with the musical setting by Ph. Ch. Kayser.

Notes
Line 1: Backer-Grøndahl’s score has a comma after the first word (likely a typo)
Line 8: Backer-Grøndahl's score has a typo in word 5 ("meiner" instead of "meine")

by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749 - 1832)
5. Wanderer's night song
Language: English 
You who are from heaven,
You quiet all sorrow and pain;
And he who is doubly wretched
You fill with twice as much [comfort]1.
Ah! I am tired of being driven!
For what is all this pain and joy?
Sweet peace,
Come, ah, come into my heart!

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © by Emily Ezust

    Emily Ezust permits her translations to be reproduced without prior permission for printed (not online) programs to free-admission concerts only, provided the following credit is given:

    Translation copyright © by Emily Ezust,
    from the LiederNet Archive

    For any other purpose, please write to the e-mail address below to request permission and discuss possible fees.


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View original text (without footnotes)
1 for Schubert's version: "delight"


This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 8
Word count: 49

Translation © by Emily Ezust
6. Zur Ruh', zur Ruh'
 (Sung text)
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Zur Ruh', zur Ruh', 
Ihr müden Glieder!
Schließt fest euch zu, 
Ihr Augenlider!

Ich bin allein,
Fort ist die Erde;
Nacht muß es sein,
Daß Licht mir werde;

O führt mich ganz,
Ihr innern Mächte!
Hin zu dem Glanz
Der tiefsten Nächte.

Fort aus dem Raum
Der Erdenschmerzen
Durch Nacht und Traum
Zum Mutterherzen!

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by Justinus (Andreas Christian) Kerner (1786 - 1862)
6. To sleep, too sleep
Language: English 
 To sleep, too sleep, you exhausted limbs!
 Close fast, you eyelids!
 I am alone, the world has gone on without me;
 It must be night that becomes my lantern;
 O guide me well, inner powers!
 to the splendour of deepest night -
 out of the realm of earthly pain
 through night and dream to the heart of life!

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © by Emily Ezust

    Emily Ezust permits her translations to be reproduced without prior permission for printed (not online) programs to free-admission concerts only, provided the following credit is given:

    Translation copyright © by Emily Ezust,
    from the LiederNet Archive

    For any other purpose, please write to the e-mail address below to request permission and discuss possible fees.


Based on:

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This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 8
Word count: 58

Translation © by Emily Ezust