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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 [das Liebe]1 Fensterlein, Schleicht wohl auch des Liedes Schallen Unbemerkt such mit hinein. Licht und Klang soll sich vereinen Zu der Liebe [treuem]2 Flehn, Jenes hold ihr Haupt umscheinen, Dieser mild ihr Ohr umwehn! Wenn sie wacht, so [zaubre]3 leise Licht und Klang [das Aug' ihr]4 zu Und verweb' auf Wunderweise Still mein Bild in ihre Ruh'. Wenn sie schläft, so [rufe]5 leise Licht und Klang sie wieder wach, Lock' auf wunderbare Weise Ihr Gefühl sich schmeicheld [nach]6. Locke sie zum Fenster [wieder]7, Unter dem ihr Sänger steht, Bis vom treuen [Munde nieder]8 Ihm ein [Laut]9 der Liebe weht. Lasse sie ergriffen lauschen, Lasse sie den Vorhang ziehn, Zweifelnd, ob die Strahlen rauschen, Ob die Töne strahlend glühn. Noch ein Griff dann in die Saiten, Noch ein [Gruß]10 mit voller Macht, Noch ein stiller Wink vom weiten, Und dann -- gute, gute Nacht!
G. Meyerbeer sets stanzas 1-5, 7, 6, 8
Confirmed with Natur und Herz. Lyrische Nachlese von Johann Gabriel Seidl, Stuttgart, Druck und Verlag von Eduard Hallberger, 1853, pages 213-214.
1 Meyerbeer: "des Liebchens"2 Meyerbeer: "leisem"
3 Meyerbeer: "zaubern"
4 Meyerbeer: "ihr Auge"
5 Meyerbeer: "rufen"
6 Meyerbeer: "wach"
7 Meyerbeer: "nieder"
8 Meyerbeer: "Mund hernieder"
9 Meyerbeer: "Gruß"
10 Meyerbeer: "Klang"
Text Authorship:
- by Johann Gabriel Seidl (1804 - 1875), "Ständchen", appears in Natur und Herz, first published 1852 [author's text checked 1 time 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 Louis Huth (1810 - 1859), "Ständchen", op. 25 (Sechs Lieder mit leichter Begleitung) no. 6, published 1841 [ voice and piano ], Berlin: T. Trautwein [sung text not yet checked]
- by Leopoldo Langwara (1831 - 1894), "Ständchen", op. 6 (Zwei Lieder) no. 2 [ voice and piano ], Hamburg: Cranz [sung text not yet checked]
- by Giacomo Meyerbeer (1791 - 1864), "Ständchen", 1841, stanzas 1-5,7,6,8 [ 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) ; 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
Research team for this page: Emily Ezust [Administrator] , Laura Prichard [Guest Editor] , Dr Melissa Givens [Guest Editor]
This text was added to the website: 2017-05-30
Line count: 32
Word count: 180
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.
Text 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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Based on:
- a text in German (Deutsch) by Johann Gabriel Seidl (1804 - 1875), "Ständchen", appears in Natur und Herz, first published 1852
This text was added to the website: 2017-06-12
Line count: 32
Word count: 175