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Am Rhein, am grünen Rhein, Da ist so mild die Nacht! Die Rebenhügel liegen In goldner Mondespracht. Und an den Hügeln wandelt Ein hoher Schatten her Mit Schwert und Purpurmantel, Die Krone vom Golde schwer. Das ist der Carl der Kaiser, Der mit gewalt'ger Hand Vor vielen hundert Jahren Geherrscht im deutschen Land. Er ist herauf gestiegen Zu Aachen aus der Gruft Und segnet seine Reben Und atmet Traubenduft. Bei Rüdisheim, da funkelt Der Mond ins Wasser hinein Und baut eine goldne Brücke Wohl über den grünen Rhein. Der Kaiser geht hinüber Und schreitet langsam fort, Und segnet längs dem Strome Die Reben an jedem Ort. Dann kehrt er heim nach Aachen Und schläft in seiner Gruft, Bis ihn im neuen Jahre Erweckt der Trauben Duft. Wir aber füllen die Römer Und trinken im goldnen Saft Auf die rheinische Legende Und die rheinische Lebenskraft.
Authorship
- by Emanuel von Geibel (1815 - 1884), "Rheinsage", appears in Jugendgedichte, in 1. Erstes Buch, in Lübeck und Bonn [author's text checked 1 time against a primary source]
Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive)
- by Max Bruch (1838 - 1920), "Rheinsage", op. 38 (Fünf Lieder für gemischten Chor a capella) no. 4, published 1875 [ mixed chorus a cappella ], Berlin, Simrock [sung text not yet checked]
- by Onno Gorter , "Rheinsage" [ voice and piano ], Magdeburg, Heinrichshofer's Verlag [sung text not yet checked]
- by Johanna Kinkel, née Mockel (1810 - 1858), "Rheinsage", op. 8 (6 Gedichte von E. Geibel) no. 2, published 1838 [ voice and piano ], Berlin, Trautwein ; as J. Mathieux [sung text checked 1 time]
- by Gustav Rebling (1821 - 1902), "Rheinsage", op. 12 (Gesänge für Männerchöre), Heft 1 no. 2, published 1850 [ men's chorus ], Magdeburg, Heinrichshofen's Verlag [sung text not yet checked]
Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- ENG English (Anja Bunzel) , "Rhine Legend", copyright © 2014, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- FRE French (Français) (Pierre Mathé) , "Légende du Rhin", copyright © 2018, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
Researcher for this text: Ferdinando Albeggiani
This text was added to the website: 2007-10-04
Line count: 32
Word count: 144
The night is mild At the green river Rhine! The vineyards lie In the golden moon shine. And a tall shadow wanders Along the hills With a sword and red coat, And a golden heavy crown. That is Carl, the Emperor, Who used to rule the German lands with his powerful hands Hundreds of years ago. He left his grave In Aachen, He blesses his vine And he breathes the smell of grapes. At Rüdesheim, the moon shines Into the water. It build a golden bridge Across the green river Rhine. The Emperor crosses the river, He walks slowly, He blesses the vine along the river in each place. Then he returns to Aachen And sleeps in his grave, Until the smell of the grapes Wakes him up in the next year. But we fill the glasses And we drink the golden juice. Here’s to the German heroes, Here’s to German vitality.
Authorship
- Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2014 by Anja Bunzel, (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:
- a text in German (Deutsch) by Emanuel von Geibel (1815 - 1884), "Rheinsage", appears in Jugendgedichte, in 1. Erstes Buch, in Lübeck und Bonn
This text was added to the website: 2014-07-25
Line count: 32
Word count: 152