by Richard Pohl (1826 - 1896)
Translation © by Sharon Krebs

Schon steh'n die beiden Sänger
Language: German (Deutsch)  after the German (Deutsch) 
Our translations:  ENG FRE
Erzählerin (alto solo)
 Schon stehn die beiden Sänger im hohen Säulensaal,
 Und auf dem Throne sitzen der König und sein Gemahl;
 Der König furchtbar prächtig wie blut'ger Nordlichtschein,
 Die Königin süß und milde, als blickte Vollmond drein.

König (mit trotzigem Ausdruck)
 Wir haben euch beschieden aus der Provençe Thal,
 Dass eure Kunst ihr probet vor meinem hohen Gemahl;
 Der Sang ist nicht für Männer, sie hat nach euch begehrt;
 Singt eure besten Lieder, dass ihr sie würdig ehrt!

Harfner
 Ich sang in vor'gen Tagen der Lieder mancherlei,
 von alten frommen Sagen, von Minne, Wein und Mai.
 Nun hab' ich ausgesungen, ein jüng'rer stehet hier,
 Singt unsres Volkes Lieder mit hell'rem Klange.

Königin
 Tritt zu des Thrones Schwelle! Willkommen hier zu Land!
 Lass tönen deine Harfe mit kunstgeübter Hand!
 Ich will den Sängen lauschen, die ich so lang entbehrt,
 Dass sie im Traum mich führen zu meiner Heimath Heerd.

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

Settings in other languages, adaptations, or excerpts:

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

  • ENG English (Sharon Krebs) , "The two singers are already standing", copyright © 2015, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
  • FRE French (Français) (Guy Laffaille) (Pierre Mathé) , "Bientôt les deux chanteurs", copyright © 2012, (re)printed on this website with kind permission


Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]

This text was added to the website: 2011-07-19
Line count: 20
Word count: 150

The two singers are already standing
Language: English  after the German (Deutsch) 
Narrator [female] (alto solo)
 The two singers are already standing in the high hall of columns,
 And upon the throne sit the king and his consort;
 The king formidably resplendent like the glow of blood-coloured northern lights,
 The queen sweet and gentle, as if the full moon were gazing down.
 
King (with truculent mien)
 We have summoned you from the valley of Provence
 So that you might try your art before my exalted spouse;
 Singing is not for men, she is the one who desired [to hear] you;
 Sing your best songs so that you may worthily honour her!
 
Harper
 In former days I sang many a song,
 About old pious tales, about love, wine and Maytime.
 Now I am done with singing, a younger man stands here,
 He sings the songs of our people with a brighter sound.
 
Queen
 Step forward to the edge of the throne! Welcome to our land!
 Let sound the harp at the touch of your skilled hand!
 I shall listen to the songs that I have missed for so long,
 That in my dreams they may lead me to the hearth of my homeland.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2015 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: 2015-07-12
Line count: 20
Word count: 190