At Augsburg there stands a tall house

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by Justinus (Andreas Christian) Kerner (1786 - 1862)

Translation © by Sharon Krebs

Stirb' Lieb' und Freud

(Sung text for setting by F. Silcher)

See original

Language: German (Deutsch)

Our translations: CAT CAT DUT ENG ENG FRE ITA

Zu Augsburg steht ein hohes Haus,
Nah bei dem alten Dom,
Da tritt an einem Morgen aus
Ein Mägdelein gar fromm;
   Gesang erschallt, 
   Zum Dome wallt
   Die liebe Gestalt.

Dort vor Mariä heilig' Bild
Sie betend niederkniet,
Der Himmel hat ihr Herz erfüllt,
Und alle Weltlust flieht:
   "O Mutter rein!
   Laß mich allein
   Dein eigen seyn!"

Alsbald von selbst der Glocke Klang
Die Betenden erweckt,
Das Mägdlein wallt die Hall' entlang,
Es weiß nicht, was es trägt;
   Auf dem Haupt so ganz
   Von Himmelsglanz
   Einen Liljenkranz.

Mit Staunen sehen all' die Leut'
Dieß Kränzlein licht im Haar,
Das Mägdlein aber wallt nicht weit,
Tritt vor den Hochaltar:
   "Zur Nonne weiht
   "Mich arme Maid!
   "Stirb, Lieb' und Freud'!"

Gott geb', daß dieses Kränzelein
Dieß Mägd'lein friedlich trag',
Es ist die Herzallerliebste mein,
Bleibt's bis zum jüngsten Tag.
   Sie weiß es nicht,
   Mein Herz zerbricht,
   Stirb, Lieb' und Licht!

Composition:

(Philipp) Friedrich Silcher

Zwölf Volkslieder für vier Männerstimmen, drittes Heft

Text Authorship:

by Justinus (Andreas Christian) Kerner (1786 - 1862), "Stirb, Lieb' und Freud'!", appears in Gedichte, in Die lyrischen Gedichte

See other settings of this text.

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

CAT Catalan (Català) (Salvador Pila) , "Moriu amor i joia!", copyright © 2014, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
CAT Catalan (Català) (Salvador Pila) , "Moriu amor i joia!", copyright © 2014, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
DUT Dutch (Nederlands) [singable] (Lau Kanen) , "Sterf, liefde, jij!", copyright © 2012, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
ENG English (Emily Ezust) , "In Augsburg stands a lofty house", copyright ©
ENG English (Sharon Krebs) , copyright © 2025, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
FRE French (Français) (Pierre Mathé) , copyright © 2011, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
ITA Italian (Italiano) (Amelia Maria Imbarrato) , "Estinguiti, amore e gioia", copyright © 2006, (re)printed on this website with kind permission

Research team for this page: Emily Ezust [Administrator] , Sharon Krebs [Senior Associate Editor], Melanie Trumbull

This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 35
Word count: 154

At Augsburg there stands a tall house

(Sung text translation for setting by F. Silcher)

See original

Language: English after the German (Deutsch)

At Augsburg there stands a tall house,
Close beside the old cathedral,
Upon a morning, a devout maiden
Comes forth from there;
   Singing rings out,
   To the cathedral processes
   The dear figure.

There before St. Mary's holy image,
She kneels down praying,
Heaven has filled her heart,
And all earthly joy vanishes:
   "O Mother pure!
   Let me be solely
   Thine own!"

Straightaway the the bell, ringing of its own accord,
Wakens the prayerful ones,
The maiden walks along the vaulted corridor,
She does not know what she wears;
   Upon her head, so
   Full of heavenly radiance,
   A wreath of lilies.

With awe all the people see
This bright little wreath in her hair,
But the maiden does not process far,
She comes to stand before the high altar:
   "Dedicate me as nun,
   Me, the poor maiden!
   Perish, love and joy!"

God grant that this maiden
Wears her wreath in peace
God grant that this little wreath 
Is worn in peace by this maiden
She is the most beloved of my heart,
Shall remain so until the Day of Judgement.
   She does not know it,
   My heart is breaking,
   Perish, love and light!

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Text Authorship:

Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2025 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:

a text in German (Deutsch) by Justinus (Andreas Christian) Kerner (1786 - 1862), "Stirb, Lieb' und Freud'!", appears in Gedichte, in Die lyrischen Gedichte
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This text was added to the website: 2025-12-03
Line count: 35
Word count: 182