by Friedrich von Hardenberg (1772 - 1801), as Novalis
Translation by George MacDonald (1824 - 1905)
Es gibt so bange Zeiten
Language: German (Deutsch)
Es gibt so bange Zeiten, Es gibt so trüben Mut, Wo alles sich von weiten Gespenstisch zeigen tut. Es schleichen wilde Schrecken So ängstlich leise her, Und tiefe Nächte decken Die Seele zentnerschwer. Die sichern Stützen schwanken, Kein Halt der Zuversicht; Der Wirbel der Gedanken Gehorcht dem Willen nicht. Der Wahnsinn naht und locket Unwiderstehlich hin. Der Puls des Lebens stocket, Und stumpf ist jeder Sinn. Wer hat das Kreuz erhoben Zum Schutz für jedes Herz? Wer wohnt im Himmel droben, Und hilft in Angst und Schmerz? Geh zu dem Wunderstamme, Gib stiller Sehnsucht Raum, Aus ihm geht eine Flamme Und zehrt den schweren Traum. Ein Engel zieht dich wieder Gerettet auf den Strand, Und schaust voll Freuden nieder In das gelobte Land.
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Text Authorship:
- by Friedrich von Hardenberg (1772 - 1801), as Novalis, no title, appears in Geistliche Lieder, no. 10 [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 Friedrich Kiel (1821 - 1885), "Es giebt so bange Zeiten", op. 63 (Zwei Gesänge von Novalis für gemischten Chor mit Orchester oder Pianoforte ) no. 1, published 1875 [ mixed chorus and piano or orchestra ], Berlin, Bote & Bock [sung text not yet checked]
Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- ENG English (George MacDonald) , "Spiritual Songs, number 10", appears in Rampolli: Growths from a Long Planted Root. Being Translations, New and Old, Chiefly from the German, first published 1897
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
This text was added to the website: 2011-11-25
Line count: 28
Word count: 123
Spiritual Songs, number 10
Language: English after the German (Deutsch)
The times are all so wretched! The heart, so full of cares! The future, far outstretched, A spectral horror wears. Wild terrors creep and hover With foot so ghastly soft! Our souls black midnights cover With mountains piled aloft. Firm props like reeds are waving, For trust is left no stay; Our thoughts, like whirlpool raving, No more the will obey! Frenzy, with eye resistless, Decoys from Truth's defense; Life's pulse is flagging listless, And dull is every sense. Who hath the cross upheaved To shelter every soul? Who lives, on high received, To make the wounded whole? Go to the tree of wonder; Give silent longing room: Issuing flames asunder Thy bad dream will consume. Draws thee an angel tender In safety to the strand: Lo, at thy feet in splendour Lies spread the Promised Land!
Confirmed with George MacDonald, Rampolli: Growths from a Long Planted Root. Being Translations, New and Old, Chiefly from the German, Longmans, Green & Co., London, 1897.
Researcher for this page: Melanie Trumbull
Text Authorship:
- by George MacDonald (1824 - 1905), "Spiritual Songs, number 10", appears in Rampolli: Growths from a Long Planted Root. Being Translations, New and Old, Chiefly from the German, first published 1897 [author's text checked 1 time against a primary source]
Based on:
- a text in German (Deutsch) by Friedrich von Hardenberg (1772 - 1801), as Novalis, no title, appears in Geistliche Lieder, no. 10
Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive):
- [ None yet in the database ]
Researcher for this page: Melanie Trumbull
This text was added to the website: 2014-11-03
Line count: 28
Word count: 137