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1.
Leise Töne der Brust, geweckt vom Odem der Liebe,
Hauchet zitternd hinaus, ob sich euch öffen' ein Ohr,
Oeffn' ein liebendes Herz, und wenn sich keines euch öffnet,
Trag' ein Nachtwind euch seufzend in meines zurück.
2.
Liebe hab' ich gefunden, und Liebe hab' ich verloren;
Meine Liebe, mein Herz, blickest du suchend umher.
Ach! ist einmal das Leben hinab in die Grüfte gestiegen,
Seinen Schatten allein senden die Götter herauf.
3.
Leise schlummertest du mir einst am Busen, so leise,
Daß dich mit flüsterndem Hauch weckte der nahende Kuß.
Ach, so schlummert nun leise mir, Liebste, dein Bild im Busen;
Wie sich reget ein Hauch, schauet es wachend mich an.
4.
Daß du wärest gestorben! so könnt' ich mit Augen der Sehnsucht
Droben suchen dein Bild, das ich hienieden verlor.
Doch nun lebst du der Welt, und bist dem Herzen gestorben;
Wie ich dich sehe so nah, fühl' ich so ferne dich doch.
...
Note: the text above is taken from stanzas 1-4 of the original text.
Composition:
- Set to music by Johann Rufinatscha (1812 - 1893), "Nachtwache", stanzas 1-4 [ voice and piano ]
Text Authorship:
- by Friedrich Rückert (1788 - 1866), "Nachtwache", appears in Wanderung, in 1. Erster Bezirk. Italienische Gedichte, in Distichen, no. 8
See other settings of this text.
Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- CAT Catalan (Català) (Salvador Pila) , copyright © 2018, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- CAT Catalan (Català) (Salvador Pila) , copyright © 2018, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- DUT Dutch (Nederlands) [singable] (Lau Kanen) , copyright © 2015, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- ENG English (Emily Ezust) , "Gentle sounds of the soul", copyright © 2004
- FRE French (Français) (Guy Laffaille) , "Veille de nuit", copyright © 2010, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
Research team for this page: Emily Ezust [Administrator] , Claus-Christian Schuster [Guest Editor] , Peter Rastl [Guest Editor]
This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 25
Word count: 195
Gentle sounds of the soul, inspired by the breath of love,
blow tremblingly forth, if you open an ear,
open a loving heart; and if none opens to you,
let the night wind carry you sighing back to me.
Are they resting? the horn of the watchman calls from the west,
and from the east the horn calls a reply: they rest.
Do you hear, apprehensive heart, the whispering voices of angels?
Extinguish the lamp confidently, and cover yourself in peace.
...
Note: the text above is taken from stanzas 1-4 of the original text.
Text Authorship:
- Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2004 by Emily Ezust, (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.
Based on:
- a text in German (Deutsch) by Friedrich Rückert (1788 - 1866), "Nachtwache", appears in Wanderung, in 1. Erster Bezirk. Italienische Gedichte, in Distichen, no. 8
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This text was added to the website: 2004-04-28
Line count: 8
Word count: 81