by Ernst Otto Konrad Zitelmann (1852 - 1923), as Konrad Telmann
Translation Singable translation by John Bernhoff (flourished 1890-1912)

Heut' in die Kirche bin ich eingetreten
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Heut' in die Kirche bin ich eingetreten,
der du in stiller Andacht oft genaht;
die Glocken summten leis' vom Turme grad',
da neigt' sich meine Stirne, um zu beten.

Doch nicht für mich; was könnt' ein Gott noch geben
dem, den das Glück seit Jugendtagen trog,
die Welt verriet, die Liebe schnöd' belog,
der nichts mehr zu begehren weiß vom Leben?

Für dich nur bet' ich Glück und Fried' und Segen,
die der zerriss'nen Seele er geraubt;
o möcht's auf dein geliebtes, blondes Haupt
des Himmels Gnade leuchtend niederlegen!

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):

  • ENG English [singable] (John Bernhoff) , "Slowly to yonder church my steps I wended"


Researcher for this page: Johann Winkler

This text was added to the website: 2020-05-14
Line count: 12
Word count: 89

Slowly to yonder church my steps I wended
Language: English  after the German (Deutsch) 
Slowly to yonder church my steps I wended,
where oft with pious heart I saw thee pray.
The bells had ceas'd to ring their cheerful lay,
and low in solemn prayer the knee I bended.

No prayer for me! From me all hope is taken,
life is a tale of bitter woe and grief;
cold death alone can bring long sought relief
to my sad heart of all the world forsaken.

I prayed for thee, sweet, a prayer to heav'n upsoaring,
not for myself, my heart has naught to ask.
O may that prayer fulfil its holy task,
on thy fair head Heav'ns brightest gifts imploring!

From the Fielitz score.


Text Authorship:

Based on:

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

    [ None yet in the database ]


Researcher for this page: Johann Winkler

This text was added to the website: 2020-05-15
Line count: 12
Word count: 106