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Auf einer Reise, heiß und matt, Saß ich im überfüllten Wagen, Ein altes, breites Zeitungsblatt In beiden Händen aufgeschlagen. Der Zug hielt an. Ich schaute auch Wie andre müßig durch die Scheiben, Sah Hüte, Schleier, halb im Rauch Mir fensterlang vorübertreiben. Da bog aus dunklem Seidenflor Mit feiner Stirn und blonden Haaren Ein schöner Frauenkopf sich vor, Den ich gesucht seit vielen Jahren. Ich schrak empor, und meine Hand Fuhr zitternd nach dem Fensterrahmen, Da hört ich im Gewühl genannt Mit lauter Stimme ihren Namen. Ich sah nun, den ich lang gehaßt, Mit kühlem Gruße zu ihr treten, Am Arm die leichte Reiselast, Und hört ihn leise mit ihr reden. Sie gingen weg. Der Pfiff erklang, Ich sank zurück; ein schwerer, trüber, Schmerzhafter Dunst ins Aug' mir drang, Und draußen flog die Stadt vorüber.
Please note: this text, provided here for educational and research use, is in the public domain in Canada, but it may still be copyright in other legal jurisdictions. The LiederNet Archive makes no guarantee that the above text is public domain in your country. Please consult your country's copyright statutes or a qualified IP attorney to verify whether a certain text is in the public domain in your country or if downloading or distributing a copy constitutes fair use. The LiederNet Archive assumes no legal responsibility or liability for the copyright compliance of third parties.
Confirmed with Hermann Hesse, Sämtliche Werke, herausgegeben von Volker Michels, Band 10 Die Gedichte, bearbeitet von Peter Huber, Frankfurt am Main: Suhrkamp Verlag, 2002, page 28.
Text Authorship:
- by Hermann Hesse (1877 - 1962), "Bahnhofstück", written 1895-8 [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 Géza Frid (1904 - 1989), "Bahnhofstück", op. 60 no. 2, published 1960 [ voice and piano ], from Auf Reise, liederencyclus in de modus lascivus, no. 2 [sung text checked 1 time]
Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- CAT Catalan (Català) (Salvador Pila) , "Escena en una estació de tren", copyright © 2023, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- ENG English (Sharon Krebs) , "Scene at a train station", copyright © 2017, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- FRE French (Français) (Pierre Mathé) , "Scène de gare", copyright © 2017, (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: 2008-09-21
Line count: 24
Word count: 134
On a journey, hot and weary, I sat in the overfilled carriage, An old, broad newspaper Held open in both hands. The train stopped. Like others, I gazed idly through the windowpanes, Saw hats, veils, half in smoke, Surging past me along the window. There from a dark gauze of silk, With delicate brow and blonde hair, Emerged the lovely head of a woman, One that I had sought for many years. I was jolted to my feet, and my hand Felt tremblingly for the frame of the window, When in the throng I heard A loud voice call her name. Then I saw him whom I had long hated Walk up to her with a tepid greeting, Upon his arm her light baggage, And heard him speak to her quietly. They went away. The whistle blew, I sank back; a heavy, dreary Painful mist penetrated into my eyes, And outside the city flew past.
Text Authorship:
- Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2017 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 Hermann Hesse (1877 - 1962), "Bahnhofstück", written 1895-8
This text was added to the website: 2017-01-30
Line count: 24
Word count: 155