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

Josef Knechts Berufung
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Our translations:  ENG
Im dichten Wald ein zartes Glockentönen
Kaum hörbar, spürbar nur dem wachen Sinn,
Gleichsam nur hauchend durch das Dunkel hin,
Als könnt der Klang nur schwer vom Ursprung sich entwöhnen.

Es ist ein Klingen eines unbeschreiblich schönen,
Beseelten Spielens, Herrliches verheißend,
Den Hungernden mit ewger Nahrung speisend.
Dann schwillt es an und wird zum lauten Dröhnen.

Und weist ihn fort auf nie geseh'nen Stufen,
Aus dumpfem Warten in des Lichtes Helle.
Sein Fuß wird sicher, weiß er noch kein Ziel.

Weit hinter ihm lag seiner Jugend Spiel,
Und ihn beflügelt wunderbare Schnelle,
Ein namenloses Glück: ,Er ist berufen.'

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 Horst Kliemann und Karl H. Silomon, Hermann Hesse. Eine bibliographische Studie, Frankfurt am Main: in der Bauerschen Gießerei, 1947, page 60.


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):

  • ENG English (Sharon Krebs) , "Josef Knecht’s calling", copyright © 2014, (re)printed on this website with kind permission


Researcher for this page: Sharon Krebs [Guest Editor]

This text was added to the website: 2014-10-21
Line count: 14
Word count: 98

Josef Knecht’s calling
Language: English  after the German (Deutsch) 
In the dense forest there is a delicate sounding of bells,
Barely audible, discernible only to the alert spirit,
Only a breath, so to speak, passing through the darkness,
As if the sound could only wean itself from its source with difficulty.

It is a ringing of an indescribably beautiful,
Soulful playing, portending something glorious,
Feeding the hungering one with eternal sustenance.
Then it swells and becomes a loud droning.

And directs him onward to steps never before perceived,
From out the dull waiting into the brightness of light.
His foot treads with growing confidence, though he is not yet aware of any goal.

Far behind him lie the games of his youth,
And he is spurred onward by a wondrous quickness,
A nameless joy:  “He has been called.”

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.
    Contact: 

Based on:

 

This text was added to the website: 2014-10-21
Line count: 14
Word count: 129