by Johann Heinrich Voss (1751 - 1826)
Translation © by Emily Ezust

Der Rosenkranz
 (Sung text for setting by F. Hensel)
 See original
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Our translations:  DUT ENG FRE
An des Beetes Umbuschung
Brach sie Rosen zum Kranz,
Feurig prangte die Mischung
Rings im tauigen Glanz.
Ros' auf Ros' in das Körbchen sank,
Purpurrot und wie Silber blank.

Zwar den Grazien heilig,
Sang sie, blühet ihr dort;
Warum aber so eilig 
Abgeblüht und verdorrt?
Die so eben geöffnet stehn,
Werden bald in dem Winde wehn.

 ... 

Du rotstreifiges Knöpfchen,
Zitternd schaust du dein Grab,
Und ein perlendes Tröpfchen
Hängt als Träne herab.
Bleib! du sollst in dem Sonnenschein
Dich des flüchtigen Lebens freun.

Mit tiefsinniger Säumnis
Flocht das Mädchen den Kranz,
In der Laube Geheimnis
Lieb' und Zärtlichkeit ganz.
Als aufs Haupt sie das Kränzchen nahm,
Wohl mir Seligen, daß ich kam!

Note: the text above is taken from stanzas 1-2,4-5 of the original text.

Composition:

    Set to music by Fanny Hensel (1805 - 1847), "Der Rosenkranz", op. posth. 9 no. 3 (1826?), published 1850, stanzas 1-2,4-5 [ voice and piano ], Leipzig: Breitkopf & Härtel

Text Authorship:

See other settings of this text.

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

  • DUT Dutch (Nederlands) [singable] (Lau Kanen) , "De rozenkroon", copyright © 2017, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
  • ENG English (Emily Ezust) , "The rose-wreath", copyright ©
  • FRE French (Français) (Guy Laffaille) , "La couronne de roses", copyright © 2013, (re)printed on this website with kind permission


Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]

This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 30
Word count: 146

Language: English  after the German (Deutsch) 
By the bed of rosebushes
she picked roses for a wreath;
fiery, they all sparkled 
around in dewy splendour.
Rose after rose dropped into the basket,
purple-red and bright like silver.

It is true that you are sacred to the Graces,
she sang, you blossoming there;
but why do you wilt 
and wither so quickly?
Those that were standing open just a moment ago,
will soon be blowing in the wind.

 ... 

Tarrying with deep emotion,
the maiden wove the wreath
in the secrecy of the grove,
all love and tenderness.
When she put the wreath on her head,
what bliss it was for me that I arrived at that moment.

Note: the text above is taken from stanzas 1-2,4-5 of the original text.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © by Emily Ezust

    Emily Ezust permits her translations to be reproduced without prior permission for printed (not online) programs to free-admission concerts only, provided the following credit is given:

    Translation copyright © by Emily Ezust,
    from the LiederNet Archive

    For any other purpose, please write to the e-mail address below to request permission and discuss possible fees.


Based on:

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This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 24
Word count: 139