Das Grab ist tief und stille, Und schauderhaft sein Rand. Es deckt mit schwarzer Hülle Ein unbekanntes Land. Das Lied der Nachtigallen Tönt nicht in seinen Schooß. Des Frühlings Blüthen fallen Nur auf des Hügels Moos. Verlaßne Liebe ringet Umsonst die Hände wund; Ihr lautes Rufen dringet Nicht in der Tiefe Grund. Doch sonst an keinem Orte Wohnt die ersehnte Ruh: Und nur durch seine Pforte Geht man der Heimath zu. Das arme Herz hienieden, Von manchem Sturm bewegt, Find't nirgends wahren Frieden, Als wo es nicht mehr schlägt.
About the headline (FAQ)
Confirmed with Poetische Blumenlese, aufs Jahr 1788. Göttingen, bey Johann Christian Dieterich, pages 118-119.
This is the initial version of the poem. For the later version see below.
Text Authorship:
- by Johann Gaudenz Freiherr von Salis-Seewis (1762 - 1834), "Das Grab", written 1783, first published 1788 [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 Johann Anton André (1775 - 1842), "Das Grab ist tief und stille", op. 51b (Vier ausgewählte Duette für Sopran und Alt mit Pianoforte) no. 4, published 1880 [ vocal duet for soprano and alto with piano ], Offenbach, André [sung text not yet checked]
Set in a modified version by Gustav Flügel, J. G. Hübner, Daniel Friedrich Rudolph Kuhlau, Carl Theodor Moritz, Friedrich Johann Albrecht Muck, Benedikt Randhartinger, Johann Friedrich Reichardt, Vincenzo Righini, Franz Xaver Schnyder von Wartensee, Othmar Schoeck, Franz Peter Schubert, Johann Xaver Sterkel, Sophia Maria Westenholz, née Fritscher, Johann Rudolf Zumsteeg.
Settings in other languages, adaptations, or excerpts:
- Also set in Italian (Italiano), a translation by Cesare Cantú (1804 - 1895) , "Il sepolcro" ; composed by Giuseppe Verdi.
Researcher for this page: Peter Rastl [Guest Editor]
This text was added to the website: 2017-09-26
Line count: 20
Word count: 89
Cupo è il sepolcro è mutolo; Tema il suo margo infonde: Una regione incognita In fosco vel nasconde. Tace là dentro il cantico Del rosignol: le rose Dell' amistà non toccano, Che le sue zolle erbose. Invan l'afflita vedova Il seno, il crin si offende: Dell'orfanella il gemito Al fondo suo non scende. Pure ivi è sol la stabile Calma, che l'uom desia: Guida alla vera patria Sol quella cupa via. Povero cuor! dai turbini Sommoso ognor quaggiù, Solo ritrova requie Quando non batte più.
About the headline (FAQ)
Confirmed with Zeitung für die elegante Welt, Leipzig, Verlag von Leopold Voß, 1832, page 1980. Also appears in Ricoglitore Italiano e Straniero, ossia Rivista Mensuale Europea di Scienze, Lettere, Belle arti, Bibliografia e Varietà, Anno IV, Parte I., Milano, Presso Ant. Fort. Stella e Figli, 1837, pages 618-619. No translator is given in this publication, and in stanza 2, line 2, "Del rosignol" was changed to "Dell'ussignol".
Text Authorship:
- by Cesare Cantú (1804 - 1895), "Il sepolcro" [author's text checked 2 times against a primary source]
Based on:
- a text in German (Deutsch) by Johann Gaudenz Freiherr von Salis-Seewis (1762 - 1834), "Das Grab", written 1783, first published 1788
Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive):
- by Giuseppe Verdi (1813 - 1901), "Cupo è il sepolcro è mutolo" [ voice and piano ] [sung text checked 1 time]
Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- ENG English (Will Crutchfield) , copyright © 2025, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
This text was added to the website: 2022-06-11
Line count: 20
Word count: 85