The nightingale | Modestly concealed along the bushy path

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by Johann Karl Unger (1771 - 1836)

Translation © by Sharon Krebs

Die Nachtigall

(Sung text for setting by F. Schubert)

See original

Language: German (Deutsch)

Our translations: CAT DUT ENG FRE

Bescheiden verborgen im buschichten Gang
Erhob Philomele den Zaubergesang,
Er schildert der Treue beglückenden Lohn
In hallenden Schlägen, im wirbelnden Ton.

Sanft gleitet die Stimme aus schwellender Brust,
Als Hauch der Gefühle, als Zeuge der Lust;
Ach horcht, wie der Seufzer der Sehnsucht verhallt,
Wenn lieblicher Einklang der Seelen erschallt.

So, Freunde, verhallte manch himmlisches Lied,
Wenn Cynthias Feuer die Finsterniß schied,
Es wehte mit Frieden uns wonnigen Schmerz
Aus Schwingen der Töne ins fühlende Herz.

Note: Unger's poem has not been published in print. The above source is a manuscript music book in Unger's own hand, preserved in a British private collection.

Composition:

Franz Peter Schubert

Text Authorship:

by Johann Karl Unger (1771 - 1836), "Die Nachtigall"

See other settings of this text.

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

CAT Catalan (Català) (Salvador Pila) , "El rossinyol", copyright © 2019, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
DUT Dutch (Nederlands) [singable] (Lau Kanen) , "De nachtegaal", copyright © 2010, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
ENG English (Sharon Krebs) , "The nightingale", copyright © 2013, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
FRE French (Français) (Guy Laffaille) , "Le rossignol", copyright © 2010, (re)printed on this website with kind permission

Research team for this page: Thierry Morice , Peter Rastl [Guest Editor]

This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 12
Word count: 85

The nightingale

(Sung text translation for setting by F. Schubert)

See original

Language: English after the German (Deutsch)

Modestly concealed along the bushy path,
Philomela began her magical song;
It tells of the exhilarating reward of faithfulness
In resounding jugging, in swirling tones!

Gently her voice glides out of her swelling breast
As a breath of feeling, as a witness to joy;
Ah, listen how the sigh of longing dies away
When lovely unity of souls rings out.

Thus, friends, many a heavenly song died away,
When Cynthia's fire parted the darkness,
Peacefully, it wafted blissful pain into our heart
From the vibrations of musical sounds.

Text Authorship:

Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2013 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.
Contact: licenses@email.lieder.example.net

Based on:

a text in German (Deutsch) by Johann Karl Unger (1771 - 1836), "Die Nachtigall"
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This text was added to the website: 2013-10-25
Line count: 12
Word count: 100