Swansong

Song Cycle by Franz Peter Schubert (1797 - 1828)

View original-language texts alone: Schwanengesang

1. Liebesbotschaft
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Rauschendes Bächlein,
So silbern und hell,
Eilst zur Geliebten
So munter und schnell?
Ach trautes Bächlein
Mein Bote sey Du;
Bringe die Grüße
Des Fernen ihr zu.

All' ihre Blumen
Im Garten gepflegt,
Die sie so lieblich
Am Busen trägt,
Und ihre Rosen
In purpurner Gluth,
Bächlein, erquicke
Mit kühlender Fluth.

Wann sie am Ufer,
In Träume versenkt,
Meiner gedenkend
Das Köpfchen hängt;
Tröste die Süße
Mit freundlichem Blick,
Denn der Geliebte
Kehrt bald zurück.

Neigt sich die Sonne
Mit röthlichem Schein,
Wiege das Liebchen
In Schlummer ein.
Rausche sie murmelnd
In süße Ruh,
Flüstre ihr Träume
Der Liebe zu.

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by Ludwig Rellstab (1799 - 1860)
1. Love's Message
Language: English 
Murmuring brooklet,
So silvery bright,
Hurry to my beloved
So fast and light,
Oh friendly brooklet,
Be my messenger fair,
Bring my distant greetings
to her.

All the flowers
She tends in her garden,
Which she sweetly
Bears on her bosom,
And her roses
In a purple glow,
Brooklet, refresh them
With cooling flow.

When on the bank,
Immersed in dreams,
Remembering me,
She hangs her head,
Comfort my sweetheart
With a friendly glance,
For her beloved
Will soon come back.

When the sun sets
With reddening glow,
Rock my loved one
To slumber,
Murmur for her
Sweet sleep,
And whisper dreams
Of Love to her.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © by Richard Morris, (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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Line count: 32
Word count: 106

Translation © by Richard Morris
2. Kriegers Ahnung
 (Sung text)
Language: German (Deutsch) 
In tiefer Ruh liegt um mich her
Der Waffenbrüder Kreis;
Mir ist das Herz so bang und schwer,
Von Sehnsucht mir so heiß.

Wie hab' ich oft so süß geträumt
An ihrem Busen warm!
Wie freundlich schien des Heerdes Gluth,
Lag sie in meinem Arm!

Hier, wo der Flammen düstrer Schein
Ach nur auf Waffen spielt,
Hier fühlt die Brust sich ganz allein,
Der Wehmuth Thräne quillt.

Herz! Daß der Trost Dich nicht verläßt!
Es ruft noch manche Schlacht. -
Bald ruh' ich wohl und schlafe fest,
Herzliebste - Gute Nacht!

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Note: in Schubert's song, in stanza 1, line 3, word 7 ("und") becomes "so" in the repetition.

by Ludwig Rellstab (1799 - 1860)
2. Warrior's foreboding
Language: English 
In deep sleep my brothers-in-arms
Lie around me in a circle.
My heart is anxious and heavy
So hot from longing.

How often have I sweetly dreamt
On her warm bosom!
How friendly shone the glowing hearth
When she lay in my arm!

Here where the gloomy glows of flames
Ah, only on weapons play,
Here the breast feels all alone,
And melancholy tears well up.

Heart, don't let your comfort desert you!
There are many battles still to come.
Soon I shall rest well and sleep deeply,
Love of my Heart, Goodnight!

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © by Richard Morris, (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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Line count: 16
Word count: 93

Translation © by Richard Morris
3. Frühlingssehnsucht
 (Sung text)
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Säuselnde Lüfte
Wehend so mild,
Blumiger Düfte
Athmend erfüllt!
Wie haucht Ihr mich wonnig begrüßend an!
Wie habt Ihr dem pochenden Herzen gethan?
Es möchte Euch folgen auf luftiger Bahn!
Wohin?

Bächlein, so munter
Rauschend zumal,
Wollen hinunter
Silbern in's Thal.
Die schwebende Welle, dort eilt sie dahin!
Tief spiegeln sich Fluren und Himmel darin.
Was ziehst Du mich, sehnend verlangender Sinn,
Hinab?

Grüßender Sonne
Spielendes Gold,
Hoffende Wonne
Bringest Du hold.
Wie labt mich Dein selig begrüßendes Bild!
Es lächelt am tiefblauen Himmel so mild,
Und hat mir das Auge mit Thränen gefüllt! -
Warum?

Grünend umkränzet
Wälder und Höh'!
Schimmernd erglänzet
Blüthenschnee!
So dränget sich Alles zum bräutlichen Licht;
Es schwellen die Keime, die Knospe bricht;
Sie haben gefunden was ihnen gebricht:
Und Du?

Rastloses Sehnen!
Wünschendes Herz,
Immer nur Thränen,
Klage und Schmerz?
Auch ich bin mir schwellender Triebe bewußt!
Wer stillet mir endlich die drängende Lust?
Nur Du befreist den Lenz in der Brust,
Nur Du!

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by Ludwig Rellstab (1799 - 1860)
3. Spring longing
Language: English 
Rustling winds 
blow so gently,
Their breath overflowing 
with flowers' perfume!
How lovely is the greeting you breathe to me!
What have you done to my pounding heart?
It wants to follow on the path you blow!
To where?

Little stream, 
your rushing always so lively,
Eagerly drop, 
shimmering, into the valley.
The smooth waves, they hurry along!
Meadows and sky are mirrored deeply within.
How do you draw me, longing, desirous spirit,
Away?

Playful gold 
of the beckoning sun,
You tenderly 
bring hopeful joy!
How the sight of your sacred greeting refreshes me!
It laughs lightly within the deep blue sky
And fills my eyes with tears,
Why?

The forests and hills 
are crowned with green!
The glint of snowy white 
blossoms shimmers!
All strain toward the bridal light;
Sprouts swell, buds open;
They have found what they desire:
And you?

Restless desire, 
longing heart,
Is it always to be only tears, 
complaint and pain?
I also know the swelling desire!
Who can finally still this burning longing?
Only you can set free the springtime in my breast,
Only you!

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © by Michael P Rosewall, (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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4. Ständchen
 (Sung text)
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Leise flehen meine Lieder
Durch die Nacht zu Dir;
In den stillen Hain hernieder,
Liebchen, komm' zu mir!

Flüsternd schlanke Wipfel rauschen
In des Mondes Licht;
Des Verräthers feindlich Lauschen
Fürchte, Holde, nicht.

Hörst die Nachtigallen schlagen?
Ach! sie flehen Dich,
Mit der Töne süßen Klagen
Flehen sie für mich.

Sie verstehn des Busens Sehnen,
Kennen Liebesschmerz,
Rühren mit den Silbertönen
Jedes weiche Herz.

Laß auch Dir die Brust bewegen,
Liebchen, höre mich!
Bebend harr' ich Dir entgegen;
Komm', beglücke mich!

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Confirmed with Gedichte von Ludwig Rellstab. Erstes Bändchen. Berlin, bei Friedrich Laue. 1827, pages 101-102.


by Ludwig Rellstab (1799 - 1860)
4. Serenade
Language: English 
My songs beckon softly
through the night to you;
below in the quiet grove,
Come to me, beloved!

The rustle of slender leaf tips whispers
in the moonlight;
Do not fear the evil spying 
of the betrayer, my dear.

Do you hear the nightingales call?
Ah, they beckon to you,
With the sweet sound of their singing
they beckon to you for me.

They understand the heart's longing,
know the pain of love,
They calm each tender heart
 with their silver tones.

Let them also stir within your breast,
beloved, hear me!
Trembling I wait for you,
Come, please me!

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © by Michael P Rosewall, (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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5. Aufenthalt
 (Sung text)
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Rauschender Strom,
Brausender Wald,
Starrender Fels
Mein Aufenthalt.

Wie sich die Welle
An Welle reiht,
Fließen die Thränen
Mir ewig erneut.

Hoch in den Kronen
Wogend sich's regt,
So unaufhörlich
Mein Herze schlägt.

Und wie des Felsen
Uraltes Erz,
Ewig derselbe
Bleibet mein Schmerz.

Rauschender Strom,
Brausender Wald,
Starrender Fels
Mein Aufenthalt.

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Confirmed with Gedichte von Ludwig Rellstab. Erstes Bändchen. Berlin, bei Friedrich Laue. 1827, page 124; and with Gesammelte Schriften von Ludwig Rellstab, Neue Ausgabe, Fünfter Band: Sagen und romantische Erzählungen, Leipzig, F. A. Brockhaus, 1860, pages 132-133.


by Ludwig Rellstab (1799 - 1860)
5. Dwelling
Language: English 
Rushing torrent,
Howling forest,
Awesome crag,
My dwelling.

Just as each wave
follows upon the last,
My tears flow,
Eternally renewed.

High in the surging
treetops' sway
My heart 
beats incessantly;

And, like the ore
within the ancient stone,
My pain remains
unchanged forever.

Rushing torrent,
Howling forest,
Awesome crag,
My dwelling.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © by Michael P Rosewall, (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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Translation of title "Aufenthalt" = "Dwelling"


This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 20
Word count: 52

Translation © by Michael P Rosewall
6. In der Ferne
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Wehe dem Fliehenden
Welt hinaus ziehenden! -
Fremde durchmessenden,
Heimath vergessenden,
Mutterhaus hassenden,
Freunde verlassenden
Folget kein Segen, ach!
Auf ihren Wegen nach!

Herze, das sehnende,
Auge, das thränende,
Sehnsucht, nie endende,
Heimwärts sich wendende!
Busen, der wallende,
Klage, verhallende,
Abendstern, blinkender,
Hoffnungslos sinkender!

Lüfte, Ihr säuselnden,
Wellen sanft kräuselnden,
Sonnenstrahl, eilender,
Nirgend verweilender:
Die mir mit Schmerze, ach!
Dies treue Herze brach, -
Grüßt von der Fliehenden,
Welt hinaus ziehenden!

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by Ludwig Rellstab (1799 - 1860)
6. From afar
Language: English 
Woe to the fugitive
who leaves for the world!- 
Those who traverse foreign lands,
Forgetting homeland,
Hating the family home,
And abandoning friends,
Have no blessing following
their paths!

The longing heart,
The weeping eye,
And a neverending yearning
Turning towards home!
A heaving bosom,
A moan reverberating,
The flickering evening star,
Sinking hopelessly!

You, sighing breezes,
softly rippling the waves,
rushing sun beam,
never tarrying:
Send to her who, alas, has
Painfully broken this true heart of mine -
Greetings from the fugitive
Torn away from home!

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © by Knut W. Barde, (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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Line count: 24
Word count: 87

Translation © by Knut W. Barde
7. Abschied
 (Sung text)
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Ade, Du muntre, Du fröhliche Stadt, Ade!
Schon scharret mein Rösslein mit lustigem Fuß;
Jetzt nimm noch den letzten, den scheidenden Gruß.
Du hast mich wohl niemals noch traurig gesehn,
So kann es auch jetzt nicht beim Abschied geschehn.
Ade, Du muntre, Du fröhliche Stadt, Ade!

Ade, Ihr Bäume, Ihr Gärten so grün, Ade! 
Nun reit' ich am silbernen Strome entlang,
Weit schallend ertönet mein Abschiedsgesang;
Nie habt Ihr ein trauriges Lied gehört,
So wird Euch auch keines beim Scheiden beschert.
Ade, Ihr Bäume, Ihr Gärten so grün, Ade!

Ade, Ihr freundlichen Mägdlein dort, Ade!
Was schaut Ihr aus blumenumduftetem Haus
Mit schelmischen, lockenden Blicken heraus?
Wie sonst, so grüß' ich und schaue mich um,
Doch nimmer wend' ich mein Rößlein um.
Ade, Ihr freundlichen Mägdlein dort, Ade!

Ade, liebe Sonne, so gehst Du zur Ruh, Ade!
Nun schimmert der blinkenden Sterne Gold.
Wie bin ich Euch Sternlein am Himmel so hold;
Durchziehn wir die Welt auch weit und breit,
Ihr gebt überall uns das treue Geleit.
Ade, liebe Sonne, so gehst Du zur Ruh, Ade!

Ade, Du schimmerndes Fensterlein hell, Ade!
Du glänzest so traulich mit dämmerndem Schein,
Und ladest so freundlich ins Hüttchen uns ein.
Vorüber, ach, ritt ich so manches mal
Und wär' es denn heute zum letzten mal?
Ade, Du schimmerndes Fensterlein hell, Ade!

Ade, Ihr Sterne, verhüllet Euch grau! - Ade!
Des Fensterlein trübes verschimmerndes Licht
Ersetzt Ihr unzähligen Sterne mir nicht;
Darf ich hier nicht weilen, muß hier vorbei,
Was hilft es, folgt Ihr mir noch so treu!
Ade, Ihr Sterne, verhüllet Euch grau! - Ade!

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Note: in Schubert's autograph, line 3 begins "Jetzt nimm ich den letzten", but in printed editions except Neue Gesamtausgabe, it is "Jetzt nimm noch den".

by Ludwig Rellstab (1799 - 1860)
7. Farewell
Language: English 
Farewell! You jaunty, happy city, farewell!
My horse is already scratching the ground with his cheerful hoof;
Now accept my final greeting.
Perhaps you have never seen me sad;
So it cannot even happen now on parting.

Farewell! You trees, you gardens so green, farewell!
Now I ride along the silver stream,
My song of farewell echoing far and wide:
You have never heard a mournful song,
So I won't bestow one upon you, even in parting.

Farewell! You friendly young maidens there, farewell!
How you peer out of your flower-perfumed houses
With impish, alluring glances!
As I have in the past, I greet you and glance around me,
But never will I turn my horse around.

Farewell! Dear sun, as you set, farewell!
Now the gold of the glittering stars twinkles.
How dear I hold you, little stars in the sky,
As we wander the world far and wide together,
You go with us everywhere, our faithful guide.

Farewell! You shimmering, bright little window, farewell!
You glint so cozily with your dimming light,
And invite us into the cottage with such friendliness.
Ah, so many times have I ridden past you,
And today may very well be the last time.

Farewell! You stars, cover yourselves in gray, farewell!
The dim, fading light of those little windows
You cannot replace for me, you infinite stars;
Since I cannot remain here, since I must go past,
What good does it do that you still follow me so faithfully?

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: 30
Word count: 247

Translation © by Emily Ezust
8. Der Atlas
 (Sung text)
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Ich unglücksel'ger Atlas! eine Welt,
Die ganze Welt der Schmerzen muß ich tragen,
Ich trage Unerträgliches, und brechen
Will mir das Herz im Leibe.

Du stolzes Herz! du hast es ja gewollt,
Du wolltest glücklich seyn, unendlich glücklich
Oder unendlich elend, stolzes Herz,
Und jetzo bist du elend.

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by Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856)
8. Atlas
Language: English 
I, unblessed Atlas!
I carry a world, the entire world of pain,
I bear the unbearable,
And the heart within me wants to break.

Proud heart, you have wanted it thus!
You wanted to be happy, eternally happy,
Or eternally miserable, you proud heart,
And now you are miserable.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © by Michael P Rosewall, (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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Line count: 8
Word count: 49

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9. Ihr Bild
 (Sung text)
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Ich stand in dunkeln Träumen
Und starrt' ihr Bildniß an,
Und das geliebte Antlitz
Heimlich zu leben begann.
 
Um ihre Lippen zog sich
Ein Lächeln wunderbar,
Und wie von Wehmuthsthränen
Erglänzte ihr Augenpaar.
 
Auch meine Thränen flossen
Mir von den Wangen herab -- 
Und ach, ich kann es nicht glauben,
Daß ich Dich verloren hab'!

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by Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856)
9. Her portrait
Language: English 
I stood in gloomy daydreams
and gazed at her portrait,
and that well-beloved countenance
began furtively to come to life.

About her lips there seemed to glide 
a wondrous smile,
and, as if they were about to fill with nostalgic tears,
her eyes glistened.
 
And my tears flowed
down my cheeks -
and ah, I cannot believe
that I have lost you!

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 1996 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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Translations of titles
"Ihr Bildnis" = "Her portrait"
"Ihr Bild" = "Her portrait"
"Ich stand in dunkeln Träumen" = "I stood in gloomy daydreams"



This text was added to the website: 2017-10-13
Line count: 12
Word count: 61

Translation © by Emily Ezust
10. Das Fischermädchen  [sung text not yet checked]
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Du schönes Fischermädchen,
Treibe den Kahn an's Land;
Komm zu [mir und setze]1 dich nieder,
Wir kosen Hand in Hand.

Leg' an mein Herz dein Köpfchen,
Und fürchte dich nicht [zu]2 sehr,
[Vertrau'st du dich]3 doch [sorglos]4
Täglich dem wilden Meer.

Mein Herz gleicht ganz dem Meere,
Hat Sturm und Ebb' und Fluth,
Und manche schöne Perle
In seiner Tiefe ruht.5

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Confirmed with Buch der Lieder von H. Heine. Hamburg bei Hoffmann und Campe. 1827, page 186; and with Reisebilder von H. Heine. Erster Theil. Hamburg, bey Hoffmann und Campe. 1826, page 12.

First published as number XII of Drei und dreißig Gedichte von H. Heine in Der Gesellschafter oder Blätter für Geist und Herz. Herausgegeben von F. W. Gubitz. Achter Jahrgang. Berlin, 1824. In der Maurerschen Buchhandlung. Sonnabend den 27. März. 50stes Blatt, page 246.

1 Meyerbeer: "mir, setz"
2 André, Dresel: "so"
3 Dresel: "Trauest du"
4 Mendel: "täglich"
5 Meyerbeer adds: 
Komm! Komm!
Du schönes Fischermädchen, komm, komm,
Wir kosen Hand in Hand.
Komm! Komm! Komm!

by Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856)
10. You beautiful fishermaiden
Language: English 
You beautiful fishermaiden,
Pull your boat toward shore;
Come to me and sit down,
We will speak of love, hand in hand.

Lay your little head on my heart,
And do not be too frightened;
Indeed, you trust yourself fearlessly
Daily to the wild sea!

My heart is just like the sea,
Having storms and ebb and flow,
And many beautiful pearls
Rest in its depths.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © by Michael P Rosewall, (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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Line count: 12
Word count: 66

Translation © by Michael P Rosewall
11. Die Stadt
 (Sung text)
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Am fernen Horizonte
Erscheint, wie ein Nebelbild,
Die Stadt mit ihren Thürmen,
In Abenddämmrung gehüllt.

Ein feuchter Windzug kräuselt
Die graue Wasserbahn;
Mit traurigem Tacte rudert
Der Schiffer in meinem Kahn.

Die Sonne hebt sich noch einmal
Leuchtend vom Boden empor,
Und zeigt mir jene Stelle,
Wo ich das Liebste verlor.

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First published as number III of Drei und dreißig Gedichte von H. Heine in Der Gesellschafter oder Blätter für Geist und Herz. Herausgegeben von F. W. Gubitz. Achter Jahrgang. Berlin, 1824. In der Maurerschen Buchhandlung. Freitag den 26. März. 49stes Blatt, page 243.

by Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856)
11. Appearing on the far horizon
Language: English 
Appearing on the far horizon
Like a picture in the fog,
A city, with its towers
Shrouded in the evening dusk.

A damp gust of wind eddies
The course of the grey water;
With a mournful rhythm
The boatman rows in my boat.

The sun lifts itself once more,
Glowing upwards from below the horizon,
And shows me that place
Where I lost what was dearest to me.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © by Michael P Rosewall, (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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Line count: 12
Word count: 68

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12. Am Meer
 (Sung text)
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Das Meer erglänzte weit hinaus,
Im letzten Abendscheine;
Wir saßen am einsamen Fischerhaus,
Wir saßen stumm und alleine.

Der Nebel stieg, das Wasser schwoll,
Die Möve flog hin und wieder;
Aus deinen Augen, liebevoll,
Fielen die Thränen nieder.

Ich sah sie fallen auf deine Hand,
Und bin auf's Knie gesunken;
Ich hab' von deiner weißen Hand
Die Thränen fortgetrunken.

Seit jener Stunde verzehrt sich mein Leib,
Die Seele stirbt vor Sehnen; -
Mich hat das unglückseel'ge Weib
Vergiftet mit ihren Thränen.

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by Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856)
12. The sea sparkled out in the distance
Language: English 
 The sea sparkled out in the distance
 By the light of evening's last glow;
 We sat near the solitary fisherman's house,
 We sat mute and alone.

 The fog gathered, the water swelled,
 A seagull flew back and forth;
 From your eyes full of love
 Tears fell down.

 I saw them fall on your hand
 And sank to one knee;
 From out of your white hand
 I drank the tears.

 Since that hour my body consumes itself,
 My soul is dying of longing;
 This wretched woman
 Has poisoned me with her tears.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © by Michael P Rosewall, (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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This text was added to the website: 2003-10-13
Line count: 16
Word count: 92

Translation © by Michael P Rosewall
13. Der Doppelgänger
 (Sung text)
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Still ist die Nacht, es ruhen die Gassen,
In diesem Hause wohnte mein Schatz;
Sie hat schon längst die Stadt verlassen,
Doch steht noch das Haus auf demselben Platz.

Da steht auch ein Mensch und starrt in die Höhe,
Und ringt die Hände, vor Schmerzensgewalt;
Mir graust es, wenn ich sein Antlitz sehe, -
Der Mond zeigt mir meine eigne Gestalt.

Du Doppelgänger! du bleicher Geselle!
Was äffst du nach mein Liebesleid,
Das mich gequält auf dieser Stelle,
So manche Nacht, in alter Zeit?

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First published as number VI of Drei und dreißig Gedichte von H. Heine in Der Gesellschafter oder Blätter für Geist und Herz. Herausgegeben von F. W. Gubitz. Achter Jahrgang. Berlin, 1824. In der Maurerschen Buchhandlung. Freitag den 26. März. 49stes Blatt, page 243.

by Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856)
13. Nemesis
Language: English 
The night is calm, the avenues are quiet,
My sweet one lived in this house;
She has already left the city long ago,
The house certainly still stands, in the same place.

A man is standing there, too, staring up into space,
And powerfully wringing his hands in torment.
It horrifies me, when I see his countenance,
The moon shows me my own form.

You my fearful double, you pale partner!
Why do you ape the pain of my love,
That has tortured me here in this spot
So many a night, in times long ago?

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © by Michael P Rosewall, (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: 

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This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 12
Word count: 96

Translation © by Michael P Rosewall