by Friedrich von Matthisson (1761 - 1831)
Translation © by Emily Ezust

Lied aus der Ferne
 (Sung text for setting by K. Zelter)
 See original
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Our translations:  CAT DUT ENG FRE ITA
Wann in des Abends letztem Scheine
  Dir eine liebende Gestalt,
Am Rasensitz im Eichenhaine,
  Mit Wink und Gruß vorüberwallt:
Das ist des Freundes treuer Geist,
Der Freud' und Frieden dir verheißt.

Wann in des Mondes Dämmerlichte
  Sich deiner Liebe Traum verschönt,
Durch Cytisus und Weymuthsfichte
  Melodisches Gesäusel tönt,
Und Ahnung dir den Busen hebt:
Das ist mein Geist der dich umschwebt.

Fühlst du, beim seligen Verlieren
  In des Vergangnen Zauberland,
Ein lindes, geistiges Berühren,
  Wie Zephyrs Kuß, an Lipp' und Hand,
Und wankt der Kerze flatternd Licht:
Das ist mein Geist, o zweifle nicht!

Hörst du, beim Silberglanz der Sterne,
  Leis' im verschwiegnen Kämmerlein,
Gleich Aeolsharfen aus der Ferne,
  Das Bundeswort: Auf ewig dein!
Dann schlummre sanft; es ist mein Geist,
Der Freud' und Frieden dir verheißt.

First published in Musen-Almanach für 1794, herausgegeben von Joh. Heinr. Voß, Hamburg, bey C.E.Bohn, pages 86-87.

Composition:

Text Authorship:

See other settings of this text.

Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):

  • CAT Catalan (Català) (Salvador Pila) , copyright © 2016, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
  • DUT Dutch (Nederlands) [singable] (Lau Kanen) , "Lied uit de verte", copyright © 2010, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
  • ENG English (Emily Ezust) , "Song from far away", copyright ©
  • FRE French (Français) (Guy Laffaille) , "Chant venant de loin", copyright © 2012, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
  • ITA Italian (Italiano) (Antonio Zencovich) , "Canto dalla lontananza", copyright © 2014, (re)printed on this website with kind permission


Research team for this page: Emily Ezust [Administrator] , Richard Morris , Sharon Krebs [Senior Associate Editor], Peter Rastl [Guest Editor] , Johann Winkler

This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 24
Word count: 134

Language: English  after the German (Deutsch) 
 When in the last glow of evening
 a smiling figure passes you
 at the grassy oak grove
 with a wave and greeting:
 it is the dear spirit of your friend,
 promising you joy and peace.
 
 When by the twilight light of the moon
 you embellish love's dream,
 through Cytisus and Weymouth pines
 a melodious rustling will resound,
 and anticipation will lift your breast:
 it is my spirit embracing you.
 
 If you feel, with blessed loss
 in this formerly magic land,
 a gentle, ghostly touch
 like the kiss of a zephyr on your lips and hand,
 and if the fluttering light of the candle sways,
 it is my spirit - do not doubt it!
 
 If you hear, in the silver light of the stars
 shining gently into the silent chamber,
 something like aeolian harps in the distance,
 my word of honor: it is eternally yours!
 Then sleep peacefully; for it is my spirit,
 promising you joy and peace.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © by Emily Ezust

    Emily Ezust permits her translations to be reproduced without prior permission for printed (not online) programs to free-admission concerts only, provided the following credit is given:

    Translation copyright © by Emily Ezust,
    from the LiederNet Archive

    For any other purpose, please write to the e-mail address below to request permission and discuss possible fees.


Based on:

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This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 24
Word count: 157