by
Hermann Hesse (1877 - 1962)
In der Nacht
Language: German (Deutsch)
Available translation(s): ENG FRE
An dem Gedanken bin ich oft erwacht
Daß jetzt ein Schiff geht durch die kühle Nacht
Und Meere sucht und nach Gestaden fährt,
Nach denen heiße Sehnsucht mich verzehrt.
Daß jetzt an Orten, die kein Seemann kennt,
Ein rotes Nordlicht ungesehen brennt.
Daß jetzt ein schöner fremder Frauenarm
Sich liebesuchend preßt in Kissen weiß und warm.
Daß einer, der zum Freund mir war bestimmt,
Jetzt fern im Meer ein dunkles Ende nimmt.
Daß meine Mutter, die mich nimmer kennt,
Vielleicht im Schlaf jetzt meinen Namen nennt.
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.
Confirmed with Hermann Hesse Sämtliche Werke, herausgegeben von Volker Michels, Band 10 Die Gedichte, bearbeitet von Peter Huber, Frankfurt am Main: Suhrkamp Verlag, 2002, pages 69-70.
Authorship:
Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive):
- by Rudolf Brömel (b. 1877), "In der Nacht", published 1945-8 [ voice and piano ], from Hermann Hesse Lieder, no. 3 [sung text checked 1 time]
- by Ferdinand Carl Jungwirth , "In der Nacht", 1924 [ voice and piano ] [sung text checked 1 time]
- by Werner Kuck (1891 - ?), "In der Nacht", op. 73 no. 4 [ voice and piano ], from Sieben Gedichte von Hermann Hesse, no. 7 [sung text checked 1 time]
Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- ENG English (Sharon Krebs) , "In the night", copyright © 2014, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- FRE French (Français) (Pierre Mathé) , "Dans la nuit", copyright © 2017, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
Researcher for this page: Sharon Krebs
[Guest Editor] This text was added to the website: 2014-02-06
Line count: 12
Word count: 86
In the night
Language: English  after the German (Deutsch)
I have often been awakened by the thought
That at this moment a ship passes through the cool night
And seeks seas and travels to shores,
[Places] for which fervent longing consumes me.
[The thought] that at this moment, in places that no seaman knows,
A red northern light burns unseen.
[The thought] that at this moment the lovely arm of a woman
Presses itself into pillows white and warm, seeking love.
[The thought] that one who was destined to be my friend
Is at this moment perishing darkly in the ocean.
[The thought] that my mother, who no longer knows me,
Is at this moment perhaps speaking my name in her sleep.
Authorship:
- Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2014 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.
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Based on:
- a text in German (Deutsch) by Hermann Hesse (1877 - 1962), "In der Nacht", written 1900
This text was added to the website: 2014-02-06
Line count: 12
Word count: 113