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by Wilhelm Müller (1794 - 1827)
Translation © by John H. Campbell
Der Prager Musikant
Language: German (Deutsch)
Our translations: ENG
Mit der Fiedel auf dem Rücken, mit dem Kappel in der Hand, ziehn wir Prager Musikanten durch das weite Christenland. Unser Schutzpatron im Himmel heißt der heil'ge Nepomuk steht mit seinem Sternenkränzel mitten auf der Prager Bruck. Als ich da hinaus gewandert, hab' ich Reverenz gemacht, ein Gebet ihm aus dem Kopfe recht bedächtig hergesagt. Steht also in keinem Büchel, wie man's auf dem Herzen hat: Wanderschaft mit leerem Beutel und ein Schätzel in der Stadt. Wenn das Mädel singen könnte, wär's gezogen mit hinaus, doch nun hat's `ne heis're Kehle, müßt' es las-sen drum zu Haus. Ei, da gab es nasse Augen, `s war mir selbst nicht einerlei: sprach itzt:' `S ist ja nicht für ewig, schönstes Nannerl, laß mich frei! Und ich schlüpft' aus ihren Armen, aus der Pforte, aus dem Haus, konnt' nicht wieder rückwärts schauen, bis ich war zur Stadt hinaus. Da hab' ich dies Lied gesungen, hab' die Fiedel zu gespielt, bis ich in den Morgenlüften auf der Brust mich leicht gefühlt. Manches Vöglein hat's vernommen, flög' nur eins an Liebchens Ohr, säng' ihr, wenn sie weinen wollte, dieses frische Liedel vor ! Wenn ich aus der Fremde komme, spiel' ich auf aus anderm Ton, Abends unter ihrem Fenster: Schätze !, Schätzel, schläfst du schon ? Hoch geschwenkt den vollen Beutel, das gibt eine Musika ! 's Fenster klirrt, es rauscht der Laden, heilige Cäcilia ! All' ihr Prager Musikanten, auf, heraus mit Horn und Baß, spielt den schönsten Hochzeitsreigen! Morgen leeren wir ein Faß.
Text Authorship:
- by Wilhelm Müller (1794 - 1827), "Der Prager Musikant", appears in Gedichte aus den hinterlassenen Papieren eines reisenden Waldhornisten 1, in Reiselieder [author's text not yet checked 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 August Wilhelm Ambros (1816 - 1876), "Der Prager Musikant", op. 22 (>>1873), published 1876 [ tenor or mezzo-soprano and piano ], Wien, Friedrich Schreiber, k.k. Hof-Kunst- u. Musikalienhandlung (vormals > C.A. Spina) [sung text not yet checked]
- by Heinrich August Marschner (1795 - 1861), "Der Prager Musikant", op. 73 (Sechs Lieder) no. 6, published 1834 [ voice and piano ], Dresden, Thieme [sung text checked 1 time]
Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- ENG English (John H. Campbell) , "The musician from Prague", copyright ©, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
Researcher for this page: John H. Campbell
This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 48
Word count: 246
The musician from Prague
Language: English after the German (Deutsch)
With a fiddle on my back, with my cap in my hand, let us go Prague musicians throughout wide Christenland. Our patron-saint in heaven is the holy Nepomuk who stands with starry crown in the middle of Prague's bridge. As I passed there, I have done obeisance, a prayer to him from within quite earnestly said. It is in no book one has it in one's heart: Traveling with empty pockets and satchel in the city. If the girl could sing, would be felt drawn with out, but now it is with hoarse throat, I must leave home. Ah, there were moist eyes, and t'wer not only mine: I told her: it is not for ever, beautiful Nannerl, let me go! And I slipped from her arms, from the gate, from the house, I could not look backwards again until I was out of the city. So I have sung this song, and played the fiddle too, until in the morning_air my heart felt lighter. A little bird has heard it, fly away to my love's ear, sing to her if she's sad, this fresh little song! When I return from far off places, I'll play a different tune, In the evening under her window: sweetheart!, Sweetheart, are you asleep? I'll wave the full bag highly, that comes from Music! the window clinks, the store awakes, Saint Cäcilia! Now, all you Prague musicians, come out with horn and bass, play the most beautiful wedding_dance! Tomorrow, we empty a barrel.
Text Authorship:
- Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © by John H. Campbell, (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 Wilhelm Müller (1794 - 1827), "Der Prager Musikant", appears in Gedichte aus den hinterlassenen Papieren eines reisenden Waldhornisten 1, in Reiselieder
This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 48
Word count: 249