by Leonhard Widmer (1808 - 1868)
Translation © by Sharon Krebs

Sehnsucht nach den Bergen
 (Sung text for setting by J. Nater)
 See original
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Our translations:  ENG
  Auf den Bergen möcht' ich leben, 
Auf den Alpen hehr und still; 
Mit den Wolken möcht ich schweben 
Nach dem fernen, theuren Ziel. 
Aber thränend nur und sehnend 
Blickt mein Auge stets dahin, 
Wo der Firnen Silberstirnen 
Weit in das Land hinein erglüh'n. 

  Nach den Bergen zieht's mich wieder 
Mit unendlicher Gewalt, 
Hör ich Stimmen, hör ich Lieder, 
Die das Echo wiederhallt. 
Aber thränend nur und sehnend 
Blickt mein Auge stets dahin, 
Wo der Firnen Silberstirnen 
Weit in das Land hinein erglüh'n. 

 ... 

  In den Tiefen, ach, vergebens, 
Such' ich meines Glückes Spur, 
Denn der Friede meines Lebens 
Thront auf Himmelshöhen nur! 
Aber thränend nur und sehnend 
Blickt mein Auge stets dahin, 
Wo der Firnen Silberstirnen 
Weit in das Land hinein erglüh'n.

Note: the text above is taken from stanzas 1,2,4 of the original text.

Also confirmed with Gedichte von Leonhard Widmer, Herausgegeben von einigen Freunden, Zürich: Druck von Zürcher und Furrer, 1869, pages 3-4.

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Text Authorship:

See other settings of this text.

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

  • ENG English (Sharon Krebs) , copyright © 2025, (re)printed on this website with kind permission


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

This text was added to the website: 2021-06-02
Line count: 32
Word count: 165

Language: English  after the German (Deutsch) 
  I would like to live upon the mountains,
Upon the alps, sublime and silent;
I would like to drift with the clouds
Toward the distant, treasured goal.
But only in tears and with yearning
My eyes ever gaze thither,
Where the silver brows of the old snows
Glow far out into the land.

  I am again drawn toward the mountains
With unceasing power,
When I hear voices, when I hear songs
That the echo sounds back to me.
But only in tears and with yearning
My eyes ever gaze thither,
Where the silver brows of the old snows
Glow far out into the land.

 ... 

  In the lowlands, ah, in vain
I seek the trace of my happiness,
For the peace of my life
Only thrones upon the heavenly heights!
But only in tears and with yearning
My eyes ever gaze thither,
Where the silver brows of the old snows
Glow far out into the land.

Note: the text above is taken from stanzas 1,2,4 of the original text.

Translations of titles:
"Auf den Bergen" = "Upon the mountains"
"Auf den Bergen möcht' ich leben" = "I would like to live upon the mountains"
"Nach den Bergen" = "To the mountains"
"Sehnsucht nach den Bergen" = "Yearning for the mountains"

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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This text was added to the website: 2025-02-24
Line count: 32
Word count: 211