by Hermann Hesse (1877 - 1962)
Translation © by Sharon Krebs

Levkoyen und Reseden
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Our translations:  CAT ENG FRE
Auf dem Tisch ein kleiner Strauß
Von Levkoyen und Reseden
Lockt mein Sinnen weit hinaus
Aus der Stadt nach fernen Beeten.

Beeten, die voll Veilchen sind,
Von Syringen überhangen;
Und ein blondes Nachbarkind
Kommt den Zaun entlang gegangen.

Nahe ist ein Brunnen laut,
Tief in seinen Mauern schäumend,
Und ein Flug im Bienenkraut.
Sonst ist alles stumm und träumend.

Aller Friede, der mir fehlt,
Den ich zwischen Städtemauern
Früh verlor im Kampf ums Geld,
Schlummert dort und macht mich trauern.

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 39-40.


Text Authorship:

Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive):

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

  • CAT Catalan (Català) (Salvador Pila) , "Violers i resedes", copyright © 2025, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
  • ENG English (Sharon Krebs) , "Scented stocks and Mignonette", copyright © 2014, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
  • FRE French (Français) (Pierre Mathé) , "Giroflées et résédas", 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: 2014-03-31
Line count: 16
Word count: 80

Scented stocks and Mignonette
Language: English  after the German (Deutsch) 
Upon the table, a little bouquet
Of scented stocks and mignonettes
Entices my sense far out
Of the city to distant flowerbeds.

Flowerbeds full of violets,
Shaded by syringa;
And a blonde child from the neighbourhood
Comes walking along the fence.

Nearby a fountain may be heard,
Foaming deep between its stone walls,
And a flying [of bees] in the comfrey.
Otherwise everything is still and dreaming.

All the peace that I lack,
[The peace] that I, [cooped up] between the city walls,
Lost long ago in the battle for money,
Slumbers there and makes me mourn.

Text 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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This text was added to the website: 2014-03-31
Line count: 16
Word count: 97