by Thomas Moore (1779 - 1852)
Translation by Theodor Oelkers (1816 - 1869), as Theodor Oelckers

The origin of the harp
Language: English 
Our translations:  FRE
'Tis believed that this Harp, which I wake now for thee
Was a Siren of old, who sung under the sea;
And who often, at eve, through the bright waters roved,
To meet, on the green shore, a youth whom she loved. 

But she loved him in vain, for he left her to weep,
And in tears, all the night, her gold tresses to steep,
Till heaven look'd with pity on true-love so warm,
And changed to this soft Harp the sea-maiden's form. 

Still her bosom rose fair — still her cheeks smiled the same -
While her sea-beauties gracefully form'd the light
And her hair, as, let loose, o'er her white arm it fell,
Was changed to bright chords uttering melody's spell. 

Hence it came, that this soft Harp so long hath been known
To mingle love's language with sorrow's sad tone;
Till thou didst divide them, and teach the fond lay
To speak love when I'm near thee, and grief when away.

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  • FRE French (Français) (Pierre Mathé) , "L'origine de la harpe", copyright © 2014, (re)printed on this website with kind permission


Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]

This text was added to the website: 2003-11-03
Line count: 16
Word count: 163

Der Ursprung der Harfe
Language: German (Deutsch)  after the English 
Die Harfe, glaubt man, die ich wach dir jetzt rief, 
War Sirene vordem, die im Meere sang tief; 
Die es Abends wohl oft durch Krystallfluthen trieb, 
Zu treffen den Jüngling am Strand, der ihr lieb.

Doch sie liebt' ihn umsonst, denn er ließ sie die Pracht 
Des Goldgelocks baden in Thränen zur Nacht, 
Bis Himmel sah gnädig solch liebendes Weib, 
In die Harfe hier wandelnd des Meermädchens Leib! 

Noch schön wogt' ihr Busen — noch lächelt' ihr Mund — 
Ihre Meeresschönheiten umschlangen sie rund; 
Und ihr Haar, wo noch thränten die Locken so hold, 
Fiel über den Schneearm als Saitengold! 

Drum war von der Harfe so lang auch bekannt, 
Es sei Liebeston drin mit dem Kummer verwandt; 
Bis du die getheilt, und das Lied lehrtest sein, 
Wenn ich nah dir bin Liebe — doch Gram, wenn allein!

Confirmed with Thomas Moore's Poetische Werke, deutsch von Theodor Oelckers, zweite vermehrte Ausgabe. In fünf Bänden. Zweiter Band: Die Liebe der Engel. -- Irländische Melodien. -- Volks-Weisen, Leipzig, Verlag von Wernh. Tauschnitz jun., 1843, page 105.


Text Authorship:

Based on:

Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive):


Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]

This text was added to the website: 2025-11-30
Line count: 16
Word count: 137