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Düster liegt die Nacht umher; Jedes Aug ist schlummerschwer, Jede Flur ist menschenleer; Aber [nur ich, ich wache noch]1! Aber nur ich, trautes Julchen, ich fühle noch Schlummer und Traumgesicht [Ruhe]2 und Erquickung nicht. Mädchen mit dem Rosenmund, O, wie ist mein Herz so wund! [Flieh]3 der Liebe süßen Bund, Flieh [ihn]4, Mädchen, länger nicht mehr! Damit nicht der Sorgen ertödtendes Heer, Eh' als mein Lenz verblüht, In die Grube mich zieht. Bey der [Liebe liebstem]5 Sohn, Bey Cytherens Götterthron, Fleh [ich]6: halt, o halte den Lohn Meiner Treu nicht länger mir auf! [Dieses Zährenstroms]7 gewaltiger Lauf Und dieß bleiche Gesicht -- Ach! erweicht es dich nicht? Düster liegt die Flur umher, Donnerwolken ziehen schwer Am [nächtlichen]8 Himmel daher; O wie gleicht mein Herz dieser Nacht! Doch so bald nur, Schönste, dein [Aug']9 mir lacht, Dann drohe, was da will; Himmel und Herz wird still.
About the headline (FAQ)
View original text (without footnotes)Confirmed with A.G. Meißners sämmtliche Werke, Fünfter Band, Gedichte, Dritter Theil, Wien: in Commission bey Anton Doll, 1813, pages 163-164.
1 Neefe: "ich wache doch"2 Neefe: "Ruh' "
3 Neefe: "Knüpf"
4 Neefe: "mich"
5 Neefe: "Liebe, liebster"
6 Neefe: "ich dich"
7 Neefe: "Dieser Zähren"
8 Neefe: "trüben"
9 Neefe: "Auge"
Text Authorship:
- by August Gottlieb Meißner (1753 - 1807), "Serenade" [author's text checked 2 times against a primary source]
Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive):
- by Christian Gottlob Neefe (1748 - 1798), "Vierte Serenate", published 1777 [ voice and piano ], from Serenaten beym Klavier zu singen, no. 4, Leipzig: Zu finden in der Dykischen Buchhandlung [sung text checked 1 time]
Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- ENG English (Sharon Krebs) , copyright © 2019, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
Research team for this page: Emily Ezust [Administrator] , Sharon Krebs [Guest Editor]
This text was added to the website: 2010-06-25
Line count: 28
Word count: 155
Sombrely the night has fallen all about; Every eye is heavy with slumber, Every meadow is devoid of people; But [only I, I still keep watch]1! But only I, dear Julia, I still do not feel Slumber and dream-images, Rest and refreshment. Maiden with the rosy lips, Oh, how my heart is so sore! [The sweet alliance of love, Maiden, do not flee it any longer!]2 So that the killing horde of anxieties May not pull me into the grave Before my springtime has faded. By the dearest son of love, By the divine throne of Venus, I [plead]3: delay, oh delay the reward Of my faithfulness no longer! [Does this mighty flood of tears]4 And this pale face -- Ah, does it not soften your heart? Sombrely the night has fallen all about; Thunderous clouds pass heavily Along the [nighttime]5 sky; Oh how similar my heart is to this night! But as soon, lovely one, as your eyes smile upon me, Then threaten what may; Heart and heavens shall become quiet.
About the headline (FAQ)
View original text (without footnotes)Translations of title(s):
"Serenade" = "Serenade"
"Vierte Serenate" = "Fourth serenade"
2 Neefe: "Tie the sweet bond of love, / Maiden, do not flee me any longer!"
3 Neefe: "beg you"
4 Neefe: "Does the mighty flood of these tears"
5 Neefe: "dreary"
Text Authorship:
- Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2019 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: licenses@email.lieder.example.net
Based on:
- a text in German (Deutsch) by August Gottlieb Meißner (1753 - 1807), "Serenade"
This text was added to the website: 2019-01-04
Line count: 28
Word count: 177