Six Songs after Poetry by Gellert

Song Cycle by Ludwig van Beethoven (1770 - 1827)

View original-language texts alone: Sechs Lieder nach Gedichten von Gellert

1. Bitten
 (Sung text)
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Gott, deine Güte reicht so weit,
So weit die Wolken gehen,
Du krönst uns mit Barmherzigkeit
Und eilst, uns beizustehen.
Herr! Meine Burg, mein Fels, mein Hort,
Vernimm mein Flehn, merk auf mein Wort;
Denn ich will vor dir beten!

 ...

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by Christian Fürchtegott Gellert (1715 - 1769)
1. Plea
Language: English 
God, your goodness reaches so far,
as far as clouds float;
you crown us with mercy
and hurry to our aid.
Lord! My castle, my rock, my shield,
hear my plea, listen to my words;
for I will pray before you!

[ ... ]

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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This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 28
Word count: 41

Translation © by Emily Ezust
2. Die Liebe des Nächsten
 (Sung text)
Language: German (Deutsch) 
So jemand spricht: Ich liebe Gott,
Und haßt doch seine Brüder,
Der treibt mit Gottes Wahrheit Spott
Und reißt sie ganz darnieder.
Gott ist die Lieb, und will, daß ich
Den Nächsten liebe, gleich als mich.

 ...

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by Christian Fürchtegott Gellert (1715 - 1769)
2. Love of one's neighbor
Language: English 
If someone says: I love God,
and yet hates his brother,
he makes a mockery of God's truth
and rips it entirely to shreds.
God is love, and wills that I
love my neighbor as myself.

[ ... ]

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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This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 84
Word count: 36

Translation © by Emily Ezust
3. Vom Tode
 (Sung text)
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Meine Lebenszeit verstreicht,
Stündlich eil ich zu dem Grabe,
Und was ist's, das ich vielleicht,
Das ich noch zu leben habe?
Denk, o Mensch, an deinen Tod!
Säume nicht, denn Eins ist Not!

 ...

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Mimicked by Daumer in the first stanza of his free translation from Hafis, Meine Lebenszeit verstreicht.
by Christian Fürchtegott Gellert (1715 - 1769)
3. On Death
Language: English 
The span of my life is passing;
every hour I hurry toward the grave,
and what is it, that perhaps 
I must live for still?
Think, o man, upon Death!
Do not delay, for that is the one thing you need yet to do!

[ ... ]

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: 42
Word count: 44

Translation © by Emily Ezust
4. Die Ehre Gottes aus der Natur
 (Sung text)
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Die Himmel rühmen des Ewigen Ehre;
  Ihr Schall pflanzt seinen Namen fort.
Ihn rühmt der Erdkreis, ihn preisen die Meere;
  Vernimm, o Mensch, ihr göttlich Wort!

Wer trägt der Himmel unzählbare Sterne?
  Wer führt die Sonn aus ihrem Zelt?
Sie kommt und leuchtet und lacht uns von ferne
  Und läuft den Weg gleich als ein Held.

 ...

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Note: Abt's song uses Beethoven's melody.

by Christian Fürchtegott Gellert (1715 - 1769)
4. The glory of God in nature
Language: English 
 Heaven praises the glory of Eternity;
 its roar proclaims his name.
 The earth praises Him, the seas praise Him;
 listen, o man, to their divine words!

 Who supports the uncountable stars of heaven?
 Who guides the sun from its canopy?
 It comes and shines, and laughs at us from afar,
 and runs its course like a hero.

[ ... ]

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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This text was added to the website: 2003-10-20
Line count: 24
Word count: 181

Translation © by Emily Ezust
5. Gottes Macht und Vorsehung
 (Sung text)
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Gott ist mein Lied!
Er ist der Gott der Stärke!
Hehr ist sein Nam, und groß sind seine Werke
und alle Himmel sein Gebiet.

 ...

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by Christian Fürchtegott Gellert (1715 - 1769)
5. God is my song
Language: English 
 God is my song!
 He is the God of Strength,
 Exalted is His name
 and great are His works;
 and all heaven is at his command.

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: 5
Word count: 27

Translation © by Emily Ezust
6. Bußlied
 (Sung text)
Language: German (Deutsch) 
An dir, allein an dir hab ich gesündigt,
Und übel oft vor dir getan.
Du siehst die Schuld, die mir den Fluch verkündigt;
Sieh, Gott, auch meinen Jammer an.

Dir ist mein Flehn, mein Seufzen nicht verborgen,
Und meine Tränen sind vor dir.
Ach Gott, mein Gott, wie lange soll ich sorgen?
Wie lang entfernst du dich von mir?

Herr, handle nicht mit mir nach meinen Sünden,
Vergilt mir nicht nach meiner Schuld.
Ich suche dich, laß mich dein Antlitz finden,
Du Gott der Langmut und Geduld.

Früh wollst du mich mit deiner Gnade füllen,
Gott, Vater der Barmherzigeit.
Erfreue mich um deines Namens willen,
Du bist mein Gott, der gern erfreut.

Laß deinen Weg mich wieder freudig wallen
Und lehre mich dein heilig Recht
Mich täglich tun nach deinem Wohlgefallen;
Du bist mein Gott, ich bin dein Knecht.

Herr, eile du, mein Schutz, mir beizustehen,
Und leite mich auf ebner Bahn.
Er hört mein Schrei'n, der Herr erhört mein Flehen
Und nimmt sich meiner Seele an.

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by Christian Fürchtegott Gellert (1715 - 1769)
6. Song of penance
Language: English 
Against You alone have I sinned,
and have often done evil before You.
You see the guilt that deserves Your curse;
see also, God, my suffering.

From You I do not hide my prayers and sighs,
and my tears are before You.
Ah, God, my God, how long should I suffer?
How long will You leave me?

Lord, treat me not according to my sins,
Treat me not according to my guilt.
I seek for You; let me find Your face,
God of forbearance and patience.

May you fill me early with Your grace,
God, Father of Mercy.
Help me for Your name's sake,
You are my God, who gladly helps.

Let me once again happily walk your path
and teach me Your sacred law
so that I can mold myself daily to Your will;
You are my God, I am Your servant.

Lord, hurry to my aid, my Protector,
and lead me on the right path.
He hears my cries, the Lord hears my prayer
and takes my soul in charge.

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:

Go to the general single-text view


This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 24
Word count: 172

Translation © by Emily Ezust