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Knabe saß ich, Fischerknabe, Auf dem schwarzen Fels im Meer, Und, bereitend falsche Gabe, Sang ich lauschend rings umher. Angel schwebte lockend nieder; Gleich ein Fischlein streift und schnappt, Schadenfrohe Schelmenlieder Und das Fischlein war ertappt. Ach! am Ufer, durch die Fluren, Ins Geklüfte tief zum Hain, Folgt' ich einer Sohle Spuren, Und die Hirtin war allein. Blicke sinken, Worte stocken! - Wie ein Taschenmesser schnappt Faßte sie mich in die Locken Und das Bübchen war ertappt. Weiß doch Gott mit welchem Hirten Sie aufs neue sich ergeht! Muß ich in das Meer mich gürten, Wie es sauset, wie es weht. Wenn mich oft im Netze jammert Das Gewimmel groß und klein, Immer möcht' ich noch umklammert Noch von ihrer Armen sein!
Authorship:
- by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749 - 1832), "Lust und Qual", appears in Goethe's Werke. Vollständige Ausgabe, letzter Hand, Band III, in 1. Lyrisches [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 (Franz) Carl Adalbert Eberwein (1786 - 1868), "Lust und Qual", c1823 [sung text not yet checked]
- by Hermann (Gustav) Goetz (1840 - 1876), "Lust und Qual", 1857 [ SATB chorus a cappella ] [sung text not yet checked]
- by Johanna Kinkel, née Mockel (1810 - 1858), "Lust und Qual", op. 15 (Sechs Lieder) no. 4, published 1841 [ voice and piano ] [sung text checked 1 time]
- by Richard Georg Strauss (1864 - 1949), "Lust und Qual", WoO 36 (1877) [sung text checked 1 time]
Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- CAT Catalan (Català) (Salvador Pila) , "Goig i turment", copyright © 2020, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- ENG English (Sharon Krebs) , "Joy and agony", copyright © 2014, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- FRE French (Français) (Pierre Mathé) , "Plaisir et tourment", copyright © 2012, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
Researcher for this text: Alberto Pedrotti
This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 24
Word count: 122
A lad I sat, a fisher lad, Upon the black rock in the sea, And, preparing a deceptive gift, I sang listening round about. My fishing rod wafted temptingly downward; Immediately a little fish darted up and snapped, Gleeful, roguish songs And the little fish was caught. Ah! upon the shore, through the meadows, Into the chasms deep into the grove, I followed the footsteps of a shoe, And the shepherdess was alone. Gazes fall, words fail! - As a pocket knife snaps shut, She grasped my curls And the little lad was caught. Only God knows with which shepherd She is sporting anew! I must gird myself with the sea, No matter how it roars, how it blows. When often now I feel pity for the seething mass Of creatures, great and small, in my net, Always I would like to be Still clasped in her arms!
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 Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749 - 1832), "Lust und Qual", appears in Goethe's Werke. Vollständige Ausgabe, letzter Hand, Band III, in 1. Lyrisches
This text was added to the website: 2014-07-27
Line count: 24
Word count: 148