Leis' rudern hier,
mein Gondolier!
Die Flut vom Ruder sprühn so leise
laß, daß sie uns nur
vernimmt, zu der wir zieh'n!
O könnte, wie er schauen kann,
der Himmel reden -- traun,
Er spräche vieles wohl von dem,
was Nachts die Sterne schau'n!
Nun rasten hier,
mein Gondolier!
Ins Boot die Ruder! sacht!
Auf zum Balkone
schwing' ich mich,
doch du hältst unten Wacht,
O, wollten halb so eifrig
nur dem Himmel wir uns weih'n,
Als schöner Weiber Dienste -- trau'n,
wir könnten Engel sein!
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Note: in Freiligrath's published form, this is a poem of two stanzas with four lines each.
Text Authorship:
Based on:
- a text in English by Thomas Moore (1779 - 1852), "Row gently here", subtitle: "Venetian air", appears in National Airs, first published 1822
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Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [
Administrator]
This text was added to the website: 2003-11-19
Line count: 19
Word count: 86
Row softly here,
My gondolier!
Let the flood spray from the oar so quietly
That only she perceives us --
She, to whom we travel!
Oh if Heaven could speak
As it can see -- truly,
It would speak much of that
Which the stars see at night!
Now rest here,
My gondolier!
Take the oars into the boat! Gently!
Up to the balcony
I swing myself,
But you keep watch down below,
Oh, if only half as assiduously
We would dedicate ourselves to Heaven,
As we do to the service of beautiful women -- truly,
We could be angels!
