by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749 - 1832)
Translation © by Ferdinando Albeggiani

Singet nicht in Trauertönen
 (Sung text for setting by R. Schumann)
 See base text
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Our translations:  CAT DUT ENG FRE GRE ITA
Singet nicht in Trauertönen
Von der Einsamkeit der Nacht.
Nein, sie ist, o holde Schönen,
Zur Geselligkeit gemacht.

 ... 

Könnt ihr euch des Tages freuen,
Der nur Freuden unterbricht?
Er ist gut, sich zu zerstreuen;
Zu was anderm taugt er nicht.

Aber wenn in nächt'ger Stunde
Süsser Lampe Dämmrung fließt,
Und vom Mund zum nahen Munde
Scherz und Liebe sich ergießt;

Wenn der rasche, lose Knabe,
Der sonst wild und feurig eilt,
Oft bei einer kleinen Gabe
Unter leichten Spielen weilt;

Wenn die Nachtigall Verliebten
Liebevoll ein Liedchen singt,
Das Gefangnen und Betrübten
Nur wie Ach und Wehe klingt;

Mit wie leichtem Herzensregen
Horchet ihr der Glocke nicht,
Die mit zwölf bedächtgen Schlägen
Ruh und Sicherheit verspricht.

Darum an dem langen Tage,
Merke dir es, liebe Brust;
Jeder Tag hat seine Plage,
Und die Nacht hat ihre Lust.

Note: the text above is taken from stanzas 1,3-8 of the original text.

Composition:

Text Authorship:

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

  • CAT Catalan (Català) (Salvador Pila) , copyright © 2020, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
  • DUT Dutch (Nederlands) [singable] (Lau Kanen) , "Zing nu niet in droeve tonen", copyright © 2013, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
  • ENG English (Emily Ezust) , "Do not sing in mournful tones", copyright ©
  • FRE French (Français) (Guy Laffaille) , "Ne chantez pas dans des tons désolés", copyright © 2010, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
  • GRE Greek (Ελληνικά) [singable] (Christakis Poumbouris) , copyright © 2018, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
  • ITA Italian (Italiano) (Ferdinando Albeggiani) , "Non cantate in triste melodia", copyright © 2009, (re)printed on this website with kind permission


Researcher for this page: Ted Perry

This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 32
Word count: 159

Language: Italian (Italiano)  after the German (Deutsch) 
Non cantate in triste melodia
Delle notti solitarie !
No, essa è fatta, belle care,
per la dolce compagnia.

 ... 

Può mai il giorno rallegrarvi
Che ogni gioia lascia a metà?
Esso è buono solo a distrarvi,
a nient'altro servirà.

Ma se l'ora notturna scocca
Ed il lume fioco sta acceso,
da una bocca a un'altra bocca
si riversa amore e riso;

Quando il giovane senza freni,
che assai spesso fu focoso,
ora accoglie piccoli doni
ed indugia in lieve gioco;

Quando canta l'usignolo
una canzoncina d'amore,
che a colui che è rimasto solo
pena suscita e dolore;

Con che palpito di cuore
Date ascolto alla campana
Che con dodici rintocchi
Vi promette tanta calma.

E perciò per tutto il giorno,
pensa a questo, amato cuore;
Ha ogni giorno il suo tormento,
E ogni notte il suo piacere.

Note: the text above is taken from stanzas 1,3-8 of the original text.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to Italian (Italiano) copyright © 2009 by Ferdinando Albeggiani, (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.
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This text was added to the website: 2009-02-23
Line count: 32
Word count: 159