by Hermann Hesse (1877 - 1962)
Translation © by Sharon Krebs

Chioggia
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Our translations:  CAT ENG FRE
Wetterbraune, dichtgedrängte Fassaden,
Marienbilder in verborgenen Nischen,
Wasserspiegel und träge Gondeln dazwischen
Und breite Barken mit braunen Fischern beladen.
Überall aber, auf jeder bröckelnden Mauer,
In allen Gassen, auf Treppen und in Kanälen
Liegt eingeschlummert eine verzweifelte Trauer
Und will von vergangenen Zeiten erzählen.
Leise geh ich und mit verborgenem Schrecken
Über die Fliesen - ängstlich, ich möchte sie wecken.
Wenn sie erwachte! Ich könnte nimmer entrinnen!
Eilend schreit' ich vorbei und suche den Hafen,
Suche das Meer und ein reisendes Schiff zu gewinnen.
Hinter mir zögern traurig die Gassen und schlafen.

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 118.


Text Authorship:

Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive):

Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):

  • CAT Catalan (Català) (Salvador Pila) , "Chioggia", copyright © 2023, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
  • ENG English (Sharon Krebs) , "Chioggia", copyright © 2017, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
  • FRE French (Français) (Pierre Mathé) , "Chioggia", 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: 2009-05-24
Line count: 14
Word count: 91

Chioggia
Language: English  after the German (Deutsch) 
Weathered, closely crowded facades,
Images of the Virgin Mary in hidden niches,
Water surfaces and languid gondolas among them
And wide barques laden with tanned fishermen.
But everywhere, upon every crumbling wall,
In all the alleys, upon steps and in canals
Lies asleep a forlorn sorrow
And wants to tell of bygone times.
I walk softly and with concealed dread
Over the tiles - fearful that I might waken it.
If it awoke! I could never escape!
Hurriedly I stride past and seek the harbour,
Seek the sea and to find a departing ship.
Behind me the alleys linger sadly and sleep.

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.
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This text was added to the website: 2017-04-29
Line count: 14
Word count: 101