by Friedrich Leopold, Graf zu Stolberg-Stolberg (1750 - 1819)
Translation © by Emily Ezust

Daphne am Bach
 (Sung text for setting by J. Kraus)
 See original
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Our translations:  CAT DUT ENG FRE
Ich hab ein Bächlein funden
Vom Städtchen ziemlich weit,
Da bin ich manche Stunden
In stiller Einsamkeit.
Ich thät mir gleich erkiesen
Ein Plätzchen kühles Moos;
Da sitz' ich, und da fließen
Mir Thränen in den Schooß.

Für dich, für dich nur wallet
Mein jugendliches Blut;
Doch, leise nur erschallet
Dein Nam' an dieser Flut.
Ich fürchte, daß mich täusche
Ein Lauscher aus der Stadt;
Es schreckt mich das Geräusche
Von jedem Pappelblatt.

 ... 

Von meinem Blumenhügel
Sah ich dir lange nach;
Ich wünschte mir die Flügel
Der Täubchen auf dem Dach;
Nun glaub' ich zu vergehen
Mit jedem Augenblick.
Willst du dein Liebchen sehen,
So komme bald zurück!

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

Composition:

    Set to music by Joseph Martin Kraus (1756 - 1792), "Daphne am Bach", VB 83 (1783), stanzas 1-2,4 [ voice and piano ]

Text Authorship:

See other settings of this text.

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

  • CAT Catalan (Català) (Salvador Pila) , "Dafne al rierol", copyright © 2018, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
  • DUT Dutch (Nederlands) [singable] (Lau Kanen) , "Daphne bij de beek", copyright © 2006, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
  • ENG English (Emily Ezust) , "I have found a brook", copyright ©
  • FRE French (Français) (Guy Laffaille) , "Daphné au bord du ruisseau", copyright © 2010, (re)printed on this website with kind permission


Research team for this page: Richard Morris , Peter Rastl [Guest Editor]

This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 32
Word count: 147

Language: English  after the German (Deutsch) 
 I have found a brook
 quite far from town,
 and I spend many hours
 there in quiet solitude.
 Every time I choose the same
 spot in the cool moss;
 there I sit and there I let
 my tears run into my lap.

 For you, for you 
 my youthful blood seethes;
 yet only very softly do I whisper
 your name to the water.
 I am afraid that some eavesdropper
 will betray me to the town;
 I am alarmed whenever the leaves
 of the poplar tree rustle.

 ... 

 From my flowery hill
 I gazed after you for a long time;
 I wished I had wings
 like the dove on the roof;
 now I think I will die
 at any moment.
 If you wish to see your beloved again,
 come back soon!

Note: the text above is taken from stanzas 1-2,4 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:

Go to the general single-text view


This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 32
Word count: 171