Language: German (Deutsch)
Wir ruhen, vom Wasser gewiegt,
Im Kreise vertraulich und enge;
Durch Eintracht wie Blumengehänge
Verknüpft und in Reihen gefügt;
Uns sondert von lästiger Menge
Die Flut, die den Nachen umschmiegt.
So gleiten, im Raume vereint,
Wir auf der Vergänglichkeit Wellen,
Wo Freunde sich innig gesellen
Zum Freunde, der redlich es meint!
Getrost, weil die dunkelsten Stellen
Ein Glanz aus der Höhe bescheint.
...
Verhallen mag unser Gesang,
Wie Flötenhauch schwinden das Leben;
Mit Jubel und Seufzer verschweben
Des Daseins zerfließender Klang!
Der Geist wird verklärt sich erheben,
Wenn Lethe sein Fahrzeug verschlang.
Note: the text above is taken from stanzas 1-2,4 of the original text.
Composition:
Set to music by Hans Georg Nägeli (1773 - 1836), "Wasserlied", published [1808-13], stanzas 1-2,4 [ mixed chorus and piano ], in Teutonia. Rundgesänge und Liederchöre, Fünfter Heft, song no. 27, Zürich: im Verlage des Autors, pages 94-101
Text Authorship:
See other settings of this text.
Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- ENG English (Sharon Krebs) , copyright © 2023, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
Research team for this page: Emily Ezust
[Administrator] , Sharon Krebs
[Senior Associate Editor]This text was added to the website: 2004-12-14
Line count: 24
Word count: 128
Language: English after the German (Deutsch)
We rest, rocked by the water,
In a familiar and close circle;
Like hanging flowers, we are united
And placed in rows by concord;
We are separated from the bothersome crowd
By the waters that nestle about our barque.
Thus we glide, united in the expanse,
Upon the waves of ephemerality,
Where friends closely consort with
A friend who means honestly by them!
Confident, because a radiance from
On high shines upon the darkest places.
...
The sound of our singing may die away,
Life may disappear like the breath of a flute;
With rejoicing and sighs the dissolving
Sounds of existence may waft away!
The spirit shall arise transfigured,
When Lethe has engulfed its vessel.
Note: the text above is taken from stanzas 1-2,4 of the original text.
Text Authorship:
- Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2023 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.
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Based on:
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This text was added to the website: 2023-02-10
Line count: 24
Word count: 160
