by Friedrich von Hardenberg (1772 - 1801), as Novalis
Translation © by Emily Ezust

Hymne an die Nacht
 (Sung text for setting by A. Mahler)
 See original
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Our translations:  CAT DUT ENG ENG FRE
Hinüber wall' ich,
Und jede Pein
Wird einst ein Stachel
Der Wollust seyn.
Noch wenig Zeiten,
So bin ich los,
Und liege trunken
Der Lieb' im Schooß.
Unendliches Leben
Wogt mächtig in mir;
Ich schaue von oben
Herunter nach dir.
An jenem Hügel
Verlischt dein Glanz -
Ein Schatten bringet
Den kühlenden Kranz.
O! sauge, Geliebter,
Gewaltig mich an,
Daß ich entschlummern
Und lieben kann.
Ich fühle des Todes
Verjüngende Flut,
Zu Balsam und Aether
Verwandelt mein Blut -
Ich lebe die Tage
in Glauben und Muth,
Und sterbe die Nächte
In heiliger Glut.

Composition:

    Set to music by Alma Mahler (1879 - 1964), "Hymne an die Nacht", published 1924 [ voice and piano ], from Fünf Gesänge, no. 5

Text Authorship:

See other settings of this text.

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


Research team for this page: Emily Ezust [Administrator] , Peter Rastl [Guest Editor]

This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 28
Word count: 94

Language: English  after the German (Deutsch) 
I am on a pilgrimage
and every pain
will become someday a sting
of voluptuous pleasure.
Just a little more time,
and I will be free,
and I will lie intoxicated
in the lap of love.
Infinite life
surges mightily within me;
I gaze from above
down at you.
By that hill
your resplendence fades
and a shadow bestows on you
a cool wreath.
O my beloved,
imbibe me with all your might,
that I might fall into slumber
and know love!
I feel death's
rejuvenating flow;
into balsam and ether
my blood is transformed -
I live by day
full of faith and spirit,
and the nights die
in a holy fervor.

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: 28
Word count: 112