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Es geht mit mir zu Ende, Mein' Sach' und Spruch ist schon Hoch über Menschenhände Gerückt vor Gottes Thron, Schon schwebt auf einer Wolke, Umringt von seinem Volke Entgegen mir des Menschen Sohn. Den Kerker will ich preisen, Der Kerker, der ist gut! Das Fensterkreuz von Eisen Blickt auf die frische Flut, Und zwischen seinen Stäben Seh' ich ein Segel schweben, Darob im Blaue die Firne ruht. Wie nah die Flut ich fühle, Als läg' ich drein versenkt, Mit [wundersamer]1 Kühle Wird mir der Leib getränkt -- Auch seh' ich eine Traube Mit einem roten Laube, Die tief herab ins Fenster hängt. Es ist die Zeit zu feiern! Es kommt die große Ruh! Dort lenkt ein Zug von Reihern Dem ew'gen Lenze zu. Sie wissen Pfad und Stege, Sie kennen ihre Wege -- Was, meine Seele, fürchtest du?
A. Schibler sets stanzas 1:1-4, 2-3, 4:1-2 in (at least) one setting - see below for more information
A. Schibler sets stanzas 1:1-4, 4 in (at least) one setting - see below for more information
R. Spring sets stanza 4
About the headline (FAQ)
View original text (without footnotes)Note: Jan Hus (1370(?) - 1415) was burnt in Konstanz as a heretic.
Note for stanza 2, line 7, word 5: Schibler has "Ferne" in his score, but this is probably a typo.
1 Schibler: "wunderbarer"Text Authorship:
- by Conrad Ferdinand Meyer (1825 - 1898), "Hussens Kerker" [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 Emil Mattiesen (1875 - 1939), "Hussens Kerker", op. 15 no. 5, published 190-?, from Überwindungen, no. 5 [sung text not yet checked]
- by Hans Erich Pfitzner (1869 - 1949), "Hussens Kerker", op. 32 no. 1 (1923), published 1923 [ baritone or bass and piano ], from Vier Lieder für Bariton oder Bass mit Klavier nach Gedichten von Conrad Ferdinand Meyer, no. 1, Berlin, Fürstner [sung text checked 1 time]
- by Armin Schibler (1920 - 1986), "Hussens Kerker", op. 48 no. 17 (1956-1958), stanzas 1:1-4, 2-3, 4:1-2 [ soli, mixed chorus, men's chorus, and orchestra ], from oratorio Media in vita, no. 17 [sung text checked 1 time]
- by Armin Schibler (1920 - 1986), "Hussens Kerker", op. 48 no. 21 (1956-1958), stanzas 1:1-4, 4 [ soli, mixed chorus, men's chorus, and orchestra ], from oratorio Media in vita, no. 21 [sung text checked 1 time]
- by Rudi Spring (b. 1962), "Dem ew'gen Lenze zu", op. 95a no. 5 (2016), stanza 4 [ contralto and hammered dulcimer ], from Vogelsang, Vogelflug. Fünf Bruchstücke der Begegnung, no. 5 [sung text checked 1 time]
Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- ENG English (Emily Ezust) , "Hus's dungeon", copyright ©
Researcher for this page: Jakob Kellner
This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 28
Word count: 137
My end draws near, my case and the verdict are now out of the hands of man and before the throne of God. Already borne by the clouds, surrounded by his Host, the Son of Man stands before me. This dungeon I will praise, the dungeon - it is good! The windowbars, a cross of iron, looks out upon the fresh waters, and between its bars I can see a sail hovering. Above in the blue, the snow rests. How near I feel the water, as if I lay submerged therein, with wondrous cool would my body be steeped - I also see a bunch of grapes with red leaves hanging in from the window. It is time to rejoice! A great peace draws near! A flock of herons there turns toward eternal Spring. They know paths and bridges, they know their way - what, my soul, do you fear?
Text Authorship:
- Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © by Emily Ezust
Emily Ezust permits her translations to be reproduced without prior permission for printed (not online) programs to free-admission concerts only, provided the following credit is given:
Translation copyright © by Emily Ezust,
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Based on:
- a text in German (Deutsch) by Conrad Ferdinand Meyer (1825 - 1898), "Hussens Kerker"
This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 28
Word count: 148