Attention! Some of this material is not in the public domain.
It is illegal to copy and distribute our copyright-protected material without permission. It is also illegal to reprint copyright texts or translations without the name of the author or translator.
To inquire about permissions and rates, contact Emily Ezust at licenses@email.lieder.example.net
If you wish to reprint translations, please make sure you include the names of the translators in your email. They are below each translation.
Note: You must use the copyright symbol © when you reprint copyright-protected material.
Wie wenn die alten Wasser, die in andern Zorn, In schröcklichern verwandelt wieder Kämen, [zu reinigen, da es not war,]1 So gährt' und wuchs und wogte von Jahr zu Jahr [Rastlos und überschwemmte das bange Land]1 Die unerhörte Schlacht, daß weit hüllt Dunkel und Blässe das Haupt der Menschen. [Die Heldenkräfte flogen, wie Wellen, auf Und schwanden weg, du kürztest, o Rächerin! Den Dienern oft die Arbeit schnell und Brachtest in Ruhe sie heim, die Streiter. O du, die unerbittlich und unbesiegt Den Feigern und den Übergewaltgen trifft, Daß bis ins letzte Glied hinab vom Schlage sein armes Geschlecht erzittert, Die du geheim den Stachel und Zügel hältst, Zu hemmen und zu fördern, o Nemesis, Strafst du die Toten noch, es schliefen Unter Italiens Lorbeergärten Sonst ungestört die alten Eroberer. Und schonst du auch des müßigen Hirten nicht, Und haben endlich wohl genug den Üppigen Schlummer gebüßt die Völker? Wer hub es an?]1 wer brachte den Fluch? von heut Ists nicht und nicht von gestern, und die zuerst Das Maß verloren, unsre Väter Wußten es nicht, [und es trieb ihr Geist sie]1. Zu lang, zu lang schon treten die Sterblichen Sich gern aufs Haupt, [und zanken um Herrschaft sich]1, Den Nachbar fürchtend, [und es hat auf Eigenem Boden der Mann nicht Segen]1. Und unstät wehn und irren, dem Chaos gleich, Dem gärenden Geschlechte die Wünsche noch [Umher]1 und wild ist und verzagt und kalt von Sorgen das Leben [der Armen immer. Du aber wandelst ruhig die sichre Bahn, O Mutter Erd, im Lichte. Dein Frühling blüht, Melodischwechselnd gehn dir hin die Wachsenden Zeiten, du Lebensreiche! Komm du nun, du der heiligen Musen all, Und der Gestirne Liebling, verjüngender Ersehnter Friede, komm und gib ein Bleiben im Leben, ein Herz uns wieder. Unschuldiger! sind klüger die Kinder doch Beinahe, denn wir Alten; es irrt der Zwist Den Guten nicht den Sinn, und klar und Freudig ist ihnen ihr Auge blieben. Und wie mit andern Schauenden lächelnd ernst Der Richter auf der Jünglinge Rennbahn sieht, Wo glühender die Kämpfenden die Wagen in stäubende Wolken treiben, So steht und lächelt Helios über uns Und einsam ist der Göttliche, Frohe nie, Denn ewig wohnen sie, des Aethers Blühende Sterne, die Heiligfreien.]1
About the headline (FAQ)
View original text (without footnotes)1 omitted by Eisler (many omissions)
Authorship:
- by Friedrich Hölderlin (1770 - 1843), "Der Frieden", appears in Gedichte 1800-1804, in Oden [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 Hanns Eisler (1898 - 1962), "Elegie 1943", 1943, from Hölderlin Fragmente, no. 3. [text verified 1 time]
- by Hanns Eisler (1898 - 1962), "Elegie 1943", from Hollywooder Liederbuch, no. 39. [text verified 1 time]
Set in a modified version by Friedrich Cerha.
- Go to the text. [ view differences ] FRE
Set in a modified version by Friedrich Cerha.
- Go to the text. [ view differences ] FRE
Available translations, adaptations, and transliterations (if applicable):
- ENG English (Sharon Krebs) , copyright © 2016, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- FRE French (Français) (Guy Laffaille) , title 1: "Élégie 1943", copyright © 2013, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
Research team for this page: Emily Ezust [Administrator] , Sharon Krebs [Guest Editor]
This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 55
Word count: 367
It is as if the old waters, which, transformed into Another rage, a more awful one, returned Again [to purify, since it was necessary,]1 Thus it seethed and grew and surged from year to year [Restlessly, and flooded the frightened land --]1 The tremendous battle, such that widely veiled with Darkness and paleness was the head of mankind. [The heroic powers welled up like waves And vanished away; you often shortened, oh avenging [goddess]! The work of the servants quickly And brought them home in rest, the warriors. Oh you, who mercilessly and unconquered Strike the more cowardly and the over-powerful So that from the blow his poor clan trembles, Down to its last member, You who secretly holds the spike and the reins, To hinder and to foster, oh Nemesis, You still punish the dead, otherwise there would sleep Under Italy's laurel gardens Undisturbed the old conquerors. And do you not spare even the idle shepherd, And have not the nations finally atoned Sufficiently for their abundant slumbers? Who began it?]1 who brought the curse? it is not Of today and not of yesterday, and those who first Lost their moderation, our fathers, Did not know it, [and their spirits drove them.]1 Too long, too long already mortals tread Gladly upon each other’s heads, [and quarrel about sovereignty,]1 Fearing their neighbour, [and upon His own turf, a man finds no blessing.]1 And still erratically desires blow and stray, like Chaos, About the seething race of people And wild and discouraged and chilled by Anxieties is life [for the poor always. But you wander peacefully your certain pathway, Oh Mother Earth, in light. Your spring blooms, Alternating melodiously the emergent times Pass for you, you who are rich in life! Come now, you the holiest of all the muses, And the favourite of the stars, rejuvenating Yearned-for peace, come and give us Again a stability in life, a heart. Innocent one! children are after all almost More clever than we old ones; strife does not Cause the mind of the good to err, and clear and Joyful their eye has remained. And just as with other spectators, the judge, Smiling solemnly, gazes upon the race-course of the youths, Where the competitors more ardently Drive the wagons into dusty clouds, Thus over us stands and smiles Helios And the godly, joyful one is never lonely, For eternally do they dwell, the blooming stars Of the aether, the holy, free ones.]1
About the headline (FAQ)
View original text (without footnotes)Translated titles:
"Der Frieden" = "Peace"
"Elegie 1943" = "Elegy 1943"
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: licenses@email.lieder.example.net
Based on:
- a text in German (Deutsch) by Friedrich Hölderlin (1770 - 1843), "Der Frieden", appears in Gedichte 1800-1804, in Oden
This text was added to the website: 2016-09-16
Line count: 55
Word count: 409