Lord, what does this ground bear | Lord, what does this ground bear

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by Paul Heyse (1830 - 1914)

Translation © by Lawrence Snyder, Rebecca Plack

Herr, was trägt der Boden hier

Language: German (Deutsch) after the Spanish (Español)

Our translations: CAT ENG FRE

Herr, was trägt der Boden hier,
Den du tränkst so bitterlich?
»Dornen, liebes Herz, für mich,
Und für dich der Blumen Zier.«

Ach, wo solche Bäche rinnen,
Wird ein Garten da gedeihn?
»Ja, und wisse! Kränzelein,
Gar verschiedne, flicht man drinnen.«

O mein Herr, zu wessen Zier
Windet man die Kränze? sprich!
»Die von Dornen sind für mich,
Die von Blumen reich ich dir.«

About the headline (FAQ)

Text Authorship:

by Paul Heyse (1830 - 1914), no title, appears in Spanisches Liederbuch, in 1. Geistliche Lieder, no. 10 [author's text not yet checked against a primary source]

Based on:

a text in Spanish (Español) by Anonymous/Unidentified Artist , "Qué producirá mi Dios"
- Go to the text page.

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 Flügel (1812 - 1900), "Herr, was trägt der Boden hier", op. 43 (Geistliche Lieder aus dem spanischen Liederbuche v. E. Geibel u. P. Heyse) no. 7, published 1855 [ baritone and piano ], Leipzig, Merseburger [sung text not yet checked]
by Hugo Wolf (1860 - 1903), "Herr, was trägt der Boden hier", 1889-90, from Spanisches Liederbuch: Geistliche Lieder, no. 9 [sung text checked 1 time]

Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):

CAT Catalan (Català) (Salvador Pila) , "Senyor, què produeix aquí el terreny", copyright © 2021, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
ENG English (Lawrence Snyder) (Rebecca Plack) , "Lord, what does this ground bear", copyright ©, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
FRE French (Français) (Guy Laffaille) , copyright © 2011, (re)printed on this website with kind permission

Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]

This text was added to the website: 2003-11-08
Line count: 12
Word count: 64

Lord, what does this ground bear

Language: English after the German (Deutsch)

Lord, what does this ground bear,
Which you moisten so bitterly?
Thorns, dear heart, for me,
And for you fair flowers."

Ah, where such brooks run,
Can a garden there thrive?
Yes, and know this! A variety
of garlands will one weave there!"

Oh, my Lord, for whose adornment
Are these garlands wound? Speak!
Those of thorns are for me,
Those of flowers I offer you."

Text Authorship:

Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © by Lawrence Snyder and Rebecca Plack, (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: licenses@email.lieder.example.net

Based on:

a text in German (Deutsch) by Paul Heyse (1830 - 1914), no title, appears in Spanisches Liederbuch, in 1. Geistliche Lieder, no. 10
- Go to the text page.

Based on:

a text in Spanish (Español) by Anonymous/Unidentified Artist , "Qué producirá mi Dios"
- Go to the text page.

This text was added to the website: 2003-11-08
Line count: 12
Word count: 66