It is beautiful by the Rhine and by the Main and by the Neckar

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by Friedrich Rückert (1788 - 1866)

Translation © by Sharon Krebs

Am Rhein und am Main und am Neckar ist's schön

(Sung text for setting by C. Sinding)

See original

Language: German (Deutsch)

Our translations: ENG

Am Rhein und am Main und am Neckar ist's schön,
  Da hab' ich manch herrliches Örtchen gesehn;
  Da hab' ich gesehen in Dörfchen und Städtchen
  Manch reizendes Weibchen, manch reizendes Mädchen.

Nun laß ich den Neckar, den Rhein und den Main,
  Ihr rauschenden Flüsse, euch laß ich nun sein;
  Am friedlichsten Flüsschen, im traulichsten Gründchen
  Hält itzt mich umfangen ein niedliches Kindchen.

Ein niedliches Kindchen, wie's keines mehr gibt,
  Und wenn es nur wahr ist, und wenn sie mich liebt,
  So sucht nur im heiligen römischen Reiche
  Den glücklichen Mann, der an Glücke mir gleiche.

Composition:

Christian Sinding

Roland zu Bremen und andere Gedichte von Friedrich Rückert

Text Authorship:

by Friedrich Rückert (1788 - 1866), "Der glückliche Gefangene"

See other settings of this text.

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

ENG English (Sharon Krebs) , copyright © 2026, (re)printed on this website with kind permission

Research team for this page: Sharon Krebs [Senior Associate Editor], Johann Winkler

This text was added to the website: 2021-04-19
Line count: 12
Word count: 96

It is beautiful by the Rhine and by the Main and by the Neckar

(Sung text translation for setting by C. Sinding)

See original

Language: English after the German (Deutsch)

It is beautiful by the Rhine and by the Main and by the Neckar,
  There I have seen many a glorious little spot;
  There in little villages and little towns, I have seen
  Many a charming woman, many a charming girl.

Now I shall leave the Neckar, the Rhine and the Main,
  Ye roaring rivers, I shall now leave you alone;
  By the most peaceful little river, in the most familiar vale
  I am now held embraced by a sweet little child.

A sweet little child, the likes of which shall never be found again,
  And if it is only true, and if she loves me,
  Then you may look in vain in the Holy Roman Empire
  For a happy man who equals me in joy.

Text Authorship:

Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2026 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 Friedrich Rückert (1788 - 1866), "Der glückliche Gefangene"
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This text was added to the website: 2026-03-01
Line count: 12
Word count: 127