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Grüßt uns mit freundlichem Willkommen Und pflegt uns mit getreuer Hand, Und fragt uns nicht, woher wir kommen, Aus welchem Thal, aus welchem Land? Wie sich der zarte Keim gestaltet Mit jedem neuerwachten Jahr, Und wie die Blüthe sich entfaltet, Noch keinem ward es offenbar. Tief in geheimnisreicher Stille Ruh'n wir in einsam dunkler Nacht, Und unsre festgeschloßne Hülle Eröffnet nur des Himmels Macht. Wenn uns der Sonne Strahlen rühren, Wird uns so eng im kühlen Haus, Und ihre lichten Bothen führen Zum frohen Leben uns heraus. So auch die Liebe, wie die Blume, Wer sagt, woher sie stammen mag? Tief in des Herzens Heiligthume Erwartet sie den jungen Tag. Wenn uns der Morgen aufgegangen Aus zweien Augen lieb und mild, Allmächtig treib uns das Verlangen, Bis uns der heil'ge Wunsch erfüllt. Die Blumen wird der Sturm verwehen, Bewahrt sie nicht der Sonne Licht, Ach! so muß auch das Herz vergehen, Wenn ihm der Liebe Trost gebricht.
About the headline (FAQ)
Found in Die Sängerfahrt. Eine Neujahrsgabe für Freunde der Dichtkunst und Mahlerey. Gesammelt vom Friedrich Förster. Berlin: in der Maurerschen Buchhandlung, 1818, pages 5 to 6.Authorship:
- possibly by Friedrich Christoph Förster (1791 - 1868), "Woher? Wohin?", appears in Der Gruß, no. 3 [author's text checked 2 times 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 Konrad Kocher (1786 - 1872), "Die Blumen und die Liebe", c1823/4 [voice and piano], from Sechs Lieder, no. 4. [ sung text not yet checked against a primary source]
Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- ENG English (Sharon Krebs) , copyright © 2015, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
Researcher for this page: Sharon Krebs [Guest Editor]
This text was added to the website: 2012-07-03
Line count: 28
Word count: 157
You greet us with a friendly welcome And care for us with faithful hand, And do not ask us, from where we come, From which valley, from which country? How the delicate plant embryo is shaped With every newly-awakened year, How the blossom unfolds, Has not yet been revealed to anyone. Deep within secret-laden silence We rest in lonely dark night, And our firmly-closed casing May only be opened by the power of Heaven. When the beams of the sun touch us, We feel so cramped within the cool abode, And the sun’s bright messengers lead Us out into joyous life. Thus also love, like the flower, Who can tell whence it arises? Deep within the sanctuary of the heart It awaits the young day. When for us morning has broken From a pair of eyes beloved and gentle, May yearning all-powerfully compel us Until the holy wish is granted. The flowers shall be scattered by the storm, If the sun’s light cannot safeguard them; Ah! thus the heart must also perish If it is denied the comfort of love.
About the headline (FAQ)
Translated titles:"Woher? Wohin?" = "Whence? Whither?"
"Die Blumen und die Liebe" = "Flowers and Love"
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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Based on:
- a text in German (Deutsch) possibly by Friedrich Christoph Förster (1791 - 1868)
This text was added to the website: 2015-12-08
Line count: 28
Word count: 180