by Friedrich Hölderlin (1770 - 1843)
Translation © by Emily Ezust

Abendphantasie
 (Sung text for setting by G. Ligeti)
 See original
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Our translations:  ENG FRE FRE
 ... 

Am Abendhimmel blühet ein Frühling auf;
Unzählig blühen die Rosen, und ruhig scheint
Die goldene Welt; o dorthin nehmt mich,
Purpurne Wolken! und möge droben

In Licht und Luft zerrinnen mir Lieb und Leid'!
Doch, wie verscheucht von törichter Bitte, flieht
Der Zauber; dunkel wird's und einsam
 ... 

Komm du nun, sanfter Schlummer! zu viel begehrt
Das Herz; doch endlich Jugend! verglühst du ja,
Du ruhelose, träumerische!
Friedlich und heiter ist dann das Alter.

Note: the text above is taken from stanzas 4-6 of the original text.

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

  • ENG English (Emily Ezust) , no title, copyright ©
  • FRE French (Français) (Guy Laffaille) , "Fantaisie du soir", copyright © 2009, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
  • FRE French (Français) (Stéphane Goldet) (Pierre de Rosamel) , "Fantaisie pour le soir", copyright © 2015, (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: 24
Word count: 164

Language: English  after the German (Deutsch) 
 ... 

Up in the evening sky a token of Spring blossoms;
infinite roses blossom and the golden world seems
at peace; o take me there,
purple clouds! and up there

into light and air may my love and grief melt away!
But, as if my silly plea had scared it away,
the magic flees; it grows dark. Alone
beneath the sky I stand, as always.

Come now, mild slumber! too much does the heart demand;
but finally, youth will burn itself out,
you restless, dreamy thing!
and my old age will be peaceful and serene.

Note: the text above is taken from stanzas 4-6 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.


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This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 24
Word count: 184