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Zu des Mondes sanftem Schimmer Schickt sich wohl ein sanftes Lied, Das mit seinem Lichtgeflimmer Still in offne Herzen zieht. Wenn die Strahlen freundlich fallen Auf des Liebchens Fensterlein, Schleicht wohl auch des Liedes Schallen Unbemerkt such mit hinein. Licht und Klang soll sich vereinen Zu der Liebe leisem Flehn, Jenes hold ihr Haupt umscheinen, Dieser mild ihr Ohr umwehn. Wenn sie wacht, so zaubern leise Licht und Klang ihr Auge zu Und verwebt auf Winderweise Still mein Bild in ihre Ruh. Wenn sie schläft, so rufen leise Licht und Klang sie wieder wach, Lock’ auf wunderbare Weise Ihr Gefühl sich schmeicheld wach. Lasse sie ergriffen lauschen, Lasse sie den Vorhang ziehn, Zweifelnd, ob die Strahlen rauschen, Ob die Töne strahlend glühn. Locke sie zum Fenster nieder, Unter dem ihr Sänger steht, Bis von treuen Mund hernieder Ihm ein Gruß der Liebe weht. Noch ein Griff dann in die Saiten, Noch ein Klang mit voller Macht, Noch ein stiller Wink von Weiten Und dann gute, gute Nacht.
Authorship
- by Johann Gabriel Seidl (1804 - 1875) [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 Giacomo Meyerbeer (1791 - 1864), "Ständchen", 1841 [tenor and piano], also set in French (Français) [ sung text checked 1 time]
Settings in other languages, adaptations, or excerpts:
- Also set in French (Français), a translation by Maurice Bourges (1812 - 1881) ENG ; composed by Giacomo Meyerbeer.
Other available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- ENG English (Laura Prichard) , "Serenade", copyright © 2017, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
Researcher for this text: Laura Prichard [Guest Editor]
This text was added to the website: 2017-05-30
Line count: 32
Word count: 167
The moon’s soft shimmer, Complementing a tender song With its glowing light, Quietly moves open hearts. When the beams fall brightly On my lover’s little window, May the notes of my song Glance inside it. Light and sound will unite In the silent tenderness of love, One shining softly around her head, Another blowing gently by her ear. If she wakes, enchant her eyes with Moonlight and melody, And subtly weave My image into her sleep. If she’s asleep, call softly: Light and sound will wake her up, Curling around her in a wonderful way, Coaxing her emotions to awake. Let her listen, moved, Let her draw open the curtain, Incredulous, even if the beams of light rustle, [And] even if the musical tones glow and sparkle. Entice her to come to the window, Under which stands her serenader, Until, from her faithful lips, drifts down To him a greeting of love. One more strum of the strings, One more sound at full strength, One more silent wink of parting, And then good, good night.
Authorship
- Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2017 by Laura Prichard, (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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- a text in German (Deutsch) by Johann Gabriel Seidl (1804 - 1875)
This text was added to the website: 2017-06-12
Line count: 32
Word count: 175