Der Geiz
Language: German (Deutsch)
Available translation(s): ENG ITA
Aria
Ihr Hungerleider, ruht einmal
von eurer selbstgemachten Qual
und höret auf zu fasten!
Ihr seid zwar reich,
doch auch dem ärmsten Bettler gleich
bei euren vollen Kasten.
Recitative
Wem hebt ihr alles auf?
Wem soll das grosse Gut,
von dem ihr euch doch nihcts zugute tat?
Wisst ihr es nihct, so dürft ihr mich nur fragen;
hört her! Ich will's euch sagen:
Ihr sammlet für lachende Erben,
die mit der Zeit, nach eurem Sterben,
auf euren Federn prächtig ruhn
und alles auf einmal vertun.
Ihr lebet arm und sterbet reich;
ihr friert, damit sich andre einst
an euren Kohlen wärmen können.
Ach, sterbt nur!
Das ersparte Holz wird einmal
desto heller brennen.
Aria
Ihr Taler, lasst euch nicht verlangen!
Wisst, der Erlösungstag
bringt endlich doch herein!
Der Henker, der euch in der Welt
gefänglich eingebracht
und in Verwahrung hält,
sperrt, weil er sterben kann,
euch nicht auf ewig ein.
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 (Dr Michael P. Rosewall) , "Stinginess", copyright © 2022, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- ITA Italian (Italiano) (Amelia Maria Imbarrato) , "L'avarizia", copyright © 2005, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
Researcher for this page: Amelia Maria Imbarrato
This text was added to the website: 2005-10-30
Line count: 32
Word count: 150
Stinginess
Language: English  after the German (Deutsch)
Aria
You poor hungry ones, rest a bit
From your self-imposed torment
And cease your fasting!
You are quite rich,
Yet live much the same as the poorest beggars
Even with your full treasure chests.
Recitative
For whom do you hoard everything?
For whom is the greater Good,
Those who indeed receive no benefit from you?
If you don’t know, you might simply ask me;
Listen closely! I will tell you:
You are stockpiling for laughing heirs,
Who, in time, after your death,
Will rest upon your sumptuous feathers
And squander it all.
You live poor and die wealthy;
You freeze, that one day
Others may warm themselves with your coal.
Ah, simply die!
The wood that will be saved
Will burn all the brighter.
Aria
Money, do not let yourself be coveted!
Know that, at the day of salvation
A true collection will be taken!
The executioner, who brought you
Imprisoned into this world,
And who keeps you in custody -
Because he will one day die,
Won’t hold you here forever.
Authorship:
- Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2022 by Michael P Rosewall, (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:
This text was added to the website: 2022-09-05
Line count: 32
Word count: 173