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Entflammt von Liebesqualen, Als [rings]1 die Nacht noch webte, O Glück, das ich [ersehnte]2, Ging unbemerkt ich aus, Als Ruhe schon befriedete [das]3 Haus. Wohl auf geheimer Stiege vermummt mit sicherm Schritte ging durch des Dunkels Mitte, o Glück! ich heimlich aus, als Ruhe schon befriedete mein Haus. O seligste der Nächte! Verborgen sah mich keiner; Mein Führer war nur einer, ein Licht, durch das ich sah: des Herzens Flamme, wies mir, was geschah. Sie führte mich gewisser denn Mittagssonnenfeuer zur Stätte, wo mein Treuer mein harrete allein, in diese Stätte drang kein andrer ein. O Nacht, so hold wie nimmer das Morgenrot erscheinet, o Nacht, die du vereinet dem Bräutigam die Braut, die umgewandelt sich in ihm erschaut. Mein Herz ihm treu ergeben, bewahrt zum Blumenbette, war ihm ein' Schlummerstätte, wo liebend ich ihn hielt, indes die Zeder mit den Lüften spielt.
B. Arnim sets stanza 1 in (at least) one setting - see below for more information
B. Arnim sets stanza 1 in (at least) one setting - see below for more information
B. Arnim sets stanzas 1-6 in (at least) one setting - see below for more information
About the headline (FAQ)
View original text (without footnotes)1 In the longer "Die dunkle Nacht", this is "schwarz".
2 In both settings of "Die dunkle Nacht", this is "erlebte".
3 In the longer "Die dunkle Nacht", this is "mein"
Authorship:
- by Maximiliane Brentano, née Maximiliane Euphrosine von La Roche (1756 - 1793), no title [an adaptation] [author's text not yet checked against a primary source]
Based on:
- a text in Spanish (Español) by Saint John of the Cross, né Juan de Yepes Alvarez (1542 - 1591)
Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive):
- by Bettina von Arnim, née Brentano (1785 - 1859), "Vision des heiligen Johannes von Cruz", stanza 1 [ sung text checked 1 time]
- by Bettina von Arnim, née Brentano (1785 - 1859), "Die dunkle Nacht", stanza 1 [ sung text checked 1 time]
- by Bettina von Arnim, née Brentano (1785 - 1859), "Die dunkle Nacht", stanzas 1-6 [ sung text checked 1 time]
Settings in other languages, adaptations, or excerpts:
- Also set in German (Deutsch), a translation by Melchior, Freiherr von Diepenbrock (1798 - 1853) , "Die dunkle Nacht der Seele" ITA ; composed by Fartein Valen.
Other available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- ENG English (Sharon Krebs) , copyright © 2016, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
This text was added to the website: 2003-10-19
Line count: 30
Word count: 143
Enflamed with the agonies of love, When night was still weaving [round about]1, Oh happiness that I [yearned for]2, Unnoticed I went out, When rest was already making [the]3 house peaceful. Upon the secret stairway Disguised with assured steps I went through the middle of the darkness-- Oh happiness! -- secretly out, When rest was already making my house peaceful. Oh most blissful of nights! Concealed, no one saw me; Only One was my guide, A light, through which I saw: The flame of my heart told me what was happening. [The flame] led me more surely Than the fire of the midday sun To the place where my Faithful One Awaited me alone; No one else could intrude upon this place. Oh night, so lovely as never The red of dawn appears, Oh night, you that unites The Bridegroom with the bride, Who, transformed, sees herself in Him. My heart, loyally devoted to Him, Guarded as a bed of flowers, Became a slumbering place for Him, Where I embraced Him lovingly While the cedar played with the breezes.
About the headline (FAQ)
View original text (without footnotes)Translated titles:
"Vision des heiligen Johannes von Cruz" = "Vision of the holy St. John of the Cross"
"Die dunkle Nacht" = "The dark night"
1 In the longer "Die dunkle Nacht", this is "blackly".
2 In both settings of "Die dunkle Nacht", this is "experienced".
3 In the longer "Die dunkle Nacht", this is "my"
Authorship:
- Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2016 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:
- a text in German (Deutsch) by Maximiliane Brentano, née Maximiliane Euphrosine von La Roche (1756 - 1793), no title [an adaptation]
Based on:
- a text in Spanish (Español) by Saint John of the Cross, né Juan de Yepes Alvarez (1542 - 1591)
This text was added to the website: 2016-03-15
Line count: 30
Word count: 178