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Am süßesten duften die Blumen im Wald, Wenn die Blitze versprüht und der Donner verhallt; Wenn schimmernd im Kelche der Tropfen noch bebt, Und tröstend der Bogen des Friedens sich hebt. Am süßesten lächelt ein Auge dich an, Wenn's die Wimper erschließt mit der Zähre noch dran; Wenn's jählings im Fluge dann liebend dich streift, Und [strahlend und leuchtend]1 gen Himmel dann schweift. Am süßesten grüßet ein Lied wohl dein Herz, Wenn im heiligen Klang sich verkläret der Schmerz; Wenn [leis erst und zitternd]2 der Ton sich erschwingt, Und jauchzend vom Siege des Glaubens dann singt.
Confirmed with Liederbuch von Friedrich Oser, 1842-1874. Mit einem biographischen Verzeichnis der Componisten, Basel: Benno Schwabe, Verlagsbuchhandlung, 1875, pages 333-334.
1 Randhartinger: "leuchtend vom Hoffen"2 Randhartinger: "tröstend und freundlich"
Text Authorship:
- by Friedrich Heinrich Oser (1820 - 1891), "Am süßesten duften die Blumen im Wald", appears in Liederbuch, in 5. Vermischte Lieder, no. 363 [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 Franz Wilhelm Abt (1819 - 1885), "Am süssesten duften die Blumen im Wald", op. 437 no. 5, published 1873 [ vocal quartet of male voices ], from Sechs Lieder für 4 Männerstimmen, no. 5, Leipzig, Siegel [sung text not yet checked]
- by Gustav Flügel (1812 - 1900) [sung text not yet checked]
- by Carl Kuntze (1817 - 1883) [sung text not yet checked]
- by Victor Ernst Nessler (1841 - 1890), "Am süßesten duften die Blumen im Wald", op. 61 (Acht Lieder für gemischten Chor), Heft 3 no. 8, published 1873 [ mixed chorus a cappella ], Leipzig: C. F. W. Siegel [sung text not yet checked]
- by Benedikt Randhartinger (1802 - 1893), "Am süßesten duften die Blumen im Wald" [sung text checked 1 time]
- by Eduard Tauwitz (1812 - 1894) [sung text not yet checked]
- by Rudolf Thoma (1829 - 1908), "Am süssesten duften die Blumen im Wald", op. 37 (Acht Gesänge für Sopran und Alt mit Begleitung des Pianoforte) no. 6, published 1874 [ vocal duet for soprano and alto with piano ], Leipzig, Siegel [sung text not yet checked]
- by Philipp Tietz (1816 - 1878) [sung text not yet checked]
Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- ENG English (Sharon Krebs) , copyright © 2026, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
Research team for this page: Sharon Krebs [Senior Associate Editor], Melanie Trumbull
This text was added to the website: 2019-04-01
Line count: 12
Word count: 99
The scent of the flowers in the woods is sweetest When the lightning has flickered out and the thunder has died away; When the drop still trembles, shimmering, in the calyx, And the rainbow of peace arises comfortingly. A pair of eyes smiles most sweetly at you, When its lashes lift with the tears still upon them; When, abruptly in flight, it passes over you lovingly And, [shining and glowing]1, then wafts toward heaven. A song greets your heart most sweetly When pain is transfigured in its holy sound; When, [first quietly and tremblingly]2, its tones rise And then it rejoicingly sings of the victory of faith.
About the headline (FAQ)
View text without footnotesTranslations of titles:
"Am süssesten duften die Blumen im Wald" = "The scent of the flowers in the woods is sweetest"
"Am süßesten duften die Blumen im Wald" = "The scent of the flowers in the woods is sweetest"
2 Randhartinger: "comfortingly and pleasantly"
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), "Am süßesten duften die Blumen im Wald", appears in Liederbuch, in 5. Vermischte Lieder, no. 363
This text was added to the website: 2026-09-16
Line count: 12
Word count: 112