by
Hermann Hesse (1877 - 1962)
Language: German (Deutsch)
Our translations: CAT ENG
Klavier und Geige weiß ich wohl zu schätzen,
Doch konnte ich mich mit ihnen kaum befassen;
Mir hat bis jetzt des Lebens rasche Hetze
Nur zu der Kunst des Pfeifens Zeit gelassen.
Zwar darf ich mich noch keinen Meister nennen,
Lang ist die Kunst und kurz ist unser Leben.
Doch alle, die des Pfeifens Kunst nicht kennen,
Bedaure ich. Mir hat sie viel gegeben.
Zwar hab ich längst mir innigst vorgenommen,
In dieser Kunst von Grad zu Grad zu reifen,
Und hoffe endlich noch dahin zu kommen,
Auf mich, auf euch, auf alle Welt zu pfeifen.
Please note: this text, provided here for educational and research use, is in the public domain in Canada, but it may still be copyright in other legal jurisdictions. The LiederNet Archive makes no guarantee that the above text is public domain in your country. Please consult your country's copyright statutes or a qualified IP attorney to verify whether a certain text is in the public domain in your country or if downloading or distributing a copy constitutes fair use. The LiederNet Archive assumes no legal responsibility or liability for the copyright compliance of third parties.
Composition:
Set to music by Leni Gromann , "Pfeifen", <<1948 [ 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) , "Xiular", copyright © 2025, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- ENG English (Sharon Krebs) , "Whistling", copyright © 2018, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
Research team for this page: John Versmoren , Sharon Krebs
[Senior Associate Editor]This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 12
Word count: 96
Language: English after the German (Deutsch)
I well know how to value piano and violin,
But I could hardly occupy myself with them;
Up to now, the rapid hustle of life has only
Left me time for the art of whistling.
To be sure, I may not yet call myself a master,
Art is long, and our life is short.
But I am sorry for all who do not yet know
The art of whistling. It has given me much.
To be sure I have long resolved
To mature in this art from degree to degree,
And hope finally yet to get to the point of
Whistling at myself, at you, and at the whole world.
3 The above is a literal translation. Hesse is, however, using an idiom here. "Auf jemanden zu pfeifen" means not to give a d*** about them.
Text Authorship:
- Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2018 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:
Go to the general single-text view
This text was added to the website: 2018-08-15
Line count: 12
Word count: 108
