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Der Tag ist um; schon wird die Ferne trüber, Der glatte See erglänzt in schwerem Rot, Geschmückte Barken gleiten mir vorüber, Gesang wird laut ... Wann rasten wir, mein Boot? Das Lied vertönt. Mit langen Schatten bricht Die frühe Nacht vom Hochgebirg herein. Das letzte Schiff fährt mit Laternenlicht Der Ferne zu ... Mein Boot, wir sind allein. Die Nacht wird kühl. Mich treibt es ohne Ruh Dem rätselhaften Glanz der Firne zu. Mit tastend leisen Fingern pocht der Tod An meinen Kiel ... Was zitterst du, mein Boot?
About the headline (FAQ)
Please note: this text, provided here for educational and research use, is in the public domain in Canada and the U.S., 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, pages 153-154.
Text Authorship:
- by Hermann Hesse (1877 - 1962), "Bootnacht", written 1902, appears in Unterwegs, first published 1911 [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 Siegfried Garibaldi Kallenberg (1867 - 1944), "Nächtliche Bootsfahrt", 1942 [ voice and piano ] [sung text checked 1 time]
- by Hildegard Quiel (1888 - 1971), "Bootnacht", published 1967 [ voice and piano ], from Hesse-Lieder, no. 5 [sung text checked 1 time]
Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- CAT Catalan (Català) (Salvador Pila) , copyright © 2023, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- ENG English (Sharon Krebs) , copyright © 2018, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- FRE French (Français) (Pierre Mathé) , "Navigation de nuit", copyright © 2013, (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: 2009-05-15
Line count: 12
Word count: 86
The day is done; already the distance becomes more dim, The smooth lake is already gleaming with heavy red, Bedecked barques are gliding past me, Singing is heard ... When do we rest, my boat? The song dies away. With long shadows The early night breaks in from the highlands. Lit by lanterns, the last ship sails Into the distance ... My boat, we are alone. The night grows cool. Without rest I am driven Toward the mysterious radiance of the old snow. With groping quiet fingers death knocks Upon my keel ... why do you tremble, my boat?
About the headline (FAQ)
Translations of title(s):
"Nächtliche Bootreise" = "Nighttime boat journey"
"Bootnacht" = "Boat night"
"Nächtliche Bootsfahrt" = "Nighttime boat trip"
Text Authorship:
- Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2018 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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Based on:
- a text in German (Deutsch) by Hermann Hesse (1877 - 1962), "Bootnacht", written 1902, appears in Unterwegs, first published 1911
This text was added to the website: 2018-01-28
Line count: 12
Word count: 96