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Es liegt ein Städtlein [an dem]1 Rhein,
Ist keines sonst ihm gleich;
Darinnen wohnt die Liebste mein,
Die Schönst' im ganzen Reich!
Elslein, ach Elslein,
Du Rose im Laub,
Dich lieb' ich ewig,
Mein Elslein von Caub!
Was nützet Reichtum und Gesind,
Was aller Ahnen Zahl?
Ist kalt das Herz, für Liebe blind,
Ade dann Welt zumal!
Elslein, ach Elslein,
Dem Treuschwure glaub':
Du bist mir alles,
Mein Elslein von Caub!
Laß' fahren allen Erdentand,
Bleibt dir die Lieb' allein!
Sie führet an der treuen Hand
Zur Seligkeit dich ein!
Elslein, ach Elslein,
Bis einst ich bin Staub,
Bleib' ich dein eigen,
Mein Elslein von Caub!
Confirmed with Unsere Dichter in Wort und Bild, Band II, herausgegeben von Robert Claußner, Leipzig: Verlagsbuchhandlung von R. Claußner, 1893, pages 219-220.
1 Friedrichs : "am tiefen"; further changes may exist not noted.Authorship:
- by Carl Schultes (1822 - 1904), "Elslein von Caub" [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 Gustav Baldamus (1862 - 1933), "Elslein von Caub", op. 13 (Drei Lieder für Männerchor) no. 1, published 1890 [ men's chorus a cappella ], Berlin, Fr. Luckhardt [sung text not yet checked]
- by Wilhelm Reinhard Berger (1861 - 1911), "Elslein von Caub", op. 28 (Acht Lieder und Gesänge für 1 Stimme mit Pianoforte) no. 7, published 1888 [ medium voice and piano ], Bremen, Praeger & Meier [sung text not yet checked]
- by Friedrich Friedrichs , "Elslein von Caub", op. 1 (Vier Lieder) no. 1, published 1890 [ men's chorus ], Hamburg, Leopoldt [sung text not yet checked]
- by Erik Meyer-Helmund (1861 - 1932), "Elslein von Caub", op. 70 no. 1, published 1888 [ voice and piano ], Berlin, Plothow [sung text not yet checked]
- by Ferdinand Möhring (1816 - 1887), "Elslein von Caub", subtitle: "Rheinisches Volkslied für Männerchor", op. 116, published 1890 [ ttbb chorus ], Wiesbaden: Juraný & Hensel [sung text not yet checked]
- by (Friedrich) Oskar Wermann (1840 - 1906), "Elslein von Caub", op. 91 (Sechs Lieder für Männerchor), Heft 2 no. 3, published 1894 [ ttbb chorus ], Dresden: Köhler [sung text not yet checked]
- by Rudolf Winkler , "Elslein von Caub", subtitle: "Rheinisches Volkslied für Männerchor", op. 10, published 1888 [ ttbb chorus ], Stuttgart: Zumsteeg [sung text not yet checked]
Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- ENG English (Sharon Krebs) , "Elsie of Caub", copyright © 2022, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
Research team for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator] , Sharon Krebs [Guest Editor]
This text was added to the website: 2010-05-03
Line count: 24
Word count: 106
There is a little town by [the]1 Rhine,
No other one is like it;
In it lives my dearest one,
The loveliest in the whole kingdom!
Elsie, oh Elsie,
You rose in the leaves,
You I shall love eternally,
My Elsie of Caub!
Of what use are riches and servants,
What use are numerous ancestors?
If the heart is cold, blind to love,
Then farewell to the whole world!
Elsie, oh Elsie,
You may believe the oath of faithfulness;
You are everything to me,
My Elsie of Caub!
Abandon all the trumpery of this earth,
As long as Love alone remains for you!
By its faithful hand, Love shall
Lead you into bliss!
Elsie, oh Elsie,
Until someday I am dust,
I shall remain yours,
My Elsie of Caub!
1 Friedrichs : "the deep"; further changes may exist not noted.
Authorship:
- Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2022 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.
Contact:
Based on:
- a text in German (Deutsch) by Carl Schultes (1822 - 1904), "Elslein von Caub"
This text was added to the website: 2022-02-26
Line count: 24
Word count: 129