Attention! Some of this material is not in the public domain.
It is illegal to copy and distribute our copyright-protected material without permission. It is also illegal to reprint copyright texts or translations without the name of the author or translator.
To inquire about permissions and rates, contact Emily Ezust at licenses@email.lieder.example.net
If you wish to reprint translations, please make sure you include the names of the translators in your email. They are below each translation.
Note: You must use the copyright symbol © when you reprint copyright-protected material.
Nun fliegen meine Gedanken Durch die klare Nacht dir zu, Ich kann sie nicht halten in Schranken, Sind alle fort schon im Nu! Mit den lauen, lieblichen Winden Wollen sie freundlich dir nahn, Sie werden gar leicht wohl finden Zu dir, Herzliebste, die Bahn. Mit dem Scheine der blitzenden Sterne Bringen sie meinen Gruß, Und sagen's, wie dein in der Ferne [So treu]1 ich gedenken muß. Und wie mir im Herzen geschrieben Dein Name steht leuchtend [klar]2, Und wie ich so innig muß lieben, O Traute, dich immerdar! Und wenn die Gedanken lachend Nun kommen und grüßen dich, Gewiß noch gedenkest wachend Auch du, auch du an mich!
Confirmed with Liederbuch von Friedrich Oser, 1842-1874. Mit einem biographischen Verzeichnis der Componisten, Basel: Benno Schwabe, Verlagsbuchhandlung, 1875, pages 188-189.
1 Randhartinger: "Treu"2 Randhartinger: "und klar"
Text Authorship:
- by Friedrich Heinrich Oser (1820 - 1891), "Nun fliegen meine Gedanken", appears in Liederbuch, in 2. Liebeslieder, no. 214 [author's text checked 1 time 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 Franz Wilhelm Abt (1819 - 1885), "Nun fliegen meine Gedanken", op. 258 (4 Lieder für Alt oder Mezzo-Sopran mit Pianoforte) no. 1, published 1864 [ alto or mezzo-soprano and piano ], Leipzig, Hofmeister [sung text not yet checked]
- by Franz Aloys Theodor Commer (1813 - 1887), "Nun fliegen meine Gedanken", op. 65 (Zwanzig Lieder für Fr. Oser, für 1 Singstimme mit Pianoforte) no. 15, published 1880 [ voice and piano ], Berlin, Trautwein'sche Buchhandlung [sung text not yet checked]
- by Benedikt Randhartinger (1802 - 1893), "Nun fliegen meine Gedanken" [ voice and piano ], from 5 Liebeslieder, no. 4 [sung text checked 1 time]
- by (Peter) Nicolai von Wilm (1834 - 1911), "Nun fliegen meine Gedanken", op. 29 no. 2, published 1882 [ ttbb quartet ], in: 42 Soloquartette für Männerstimmen, Freising: Datterer [sung text not yet checked]
Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- ENG English (Sharon Krebs) , "My thoughts now fly", copyright © 2026, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
Research team for this page: Sharon Krebs [Senior Associate Editor], Johann Winkler
This text was added to the website: 2022-03-27
Line count: 20
Word count: 111
My thoughts now fly Through the clear night to you, I cannot hold them in check, They are all away in a trice! With the balmy, lovely winds They wish to approach you amiably, They shall surely find the way to you, Most beloved of my heart, quite easily. With the radiance of the sparkling stars They bring my greeting to you, And tell you, how in the distance I must think of you [so faithfully]1. And how upon my heart Your name is written [radiantly clear]2, And how, oh lovely one, I must Love you so fervently evermore! And when, laughing, my thoughts Now come and greet you, Surely you too, you too, lying awake, Are still thinking of me!
1 Randhartinger: "faithfully"
2 Randhartinger: "radiant and clear "
Text Authorship:
- Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2026 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 Friedrich Heinrich Oser (1820 - 1891), "Nun fliegen meine Gedanken", appears in Liederbuch, in 2. Liebeslieder, no. 214
This text was added to the website: 2026-04-12
Line count: 20
Word count: 125