Translation Singable translation by Georg Pertz (1830 - 1870)
A wand'ring gypsey, Sirs, am I
Language: English after the English
A wand'ring gypsey, Sirs, am I, From Norwood, where we oft complain, With many a tear and many a sigh, Of blust'ring winds and rushing rain. No costly rooms nor gay attire Within our humble shed appear; No beds of down or blazing fire, At night our shivering limbs to cheer. Alas! No friend comes near our cot; The redbreasts only find the way. Who give there all, a simple note, At peep of morn and parting day. But fortunes here I come to tell, They yield me, gentle Sir, your hand: Within these lines what thousands dwell! And, bless me, what a heap of land! It surely, Sir, must pleasing be To hold such wealth in every line! Try, pray now try, if you can see A little treasure lodg'd in mine. Yon sun that pours the lightsome day, And gilds the palace and the farm, Can never miss the kindly ray That makes the hapless vagrant warm.
The text shown is a variant of another text. [ View differences ]
It is based on
- a text in English by John Walcot (1738 - 1819), "A Gypsey Ballad"
Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive):
- by Ludwig van Beethoven (1770 - 1827), "A wand'ring gypsey, Sirs, am I", WoO. 152 (25 irische Lieder) no. 23, G. 223 no. 23 (1810/3) [ voice, violin, violoncello, piano ] [sung text checked 1 time]
Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- GER German (Deutsch) [singable] (Georg Pertz) , "Die Wahrsagerin"
Researcher for this page: Ferdinando Albeggiani
This text was added to the website: 2004-12-11
Line count: 24
Word count: 159
Die Wahrsagerin
Language: German (Deutsch) after the English
Ein wanderndes Zigeunerkind Komm ich, ihr Herrn, von Norwoods Au'n, Wo klagend oft um Frost und Wind Manch Seufzen steigt und Tränen taun. Kein Prunkgemach, kein köstlich Kleid Erglänzt in unsern dürft'gen Haus; Kein Daunenbett, kein Feuerscheit Treibt nachts die Kälteschauer aus. Dort kommt kein Freund uns zu Gesicht, Rotkehlchen findet uns allein, Sein alles uns, ein Liedchen schlicht, Beim Früh- und Abendrot zu weihn. Doch wahrzusagen, kam ich her, Drum, lieber Herr, reicht mir die Hand: Hier liegen Schätze zentnerschwer Und, Himmel, welch ein Haufen Land! Solch Gut in jeder Linie hier Muß sicherlich Euch, Herr, erbaun; Nun bitte, seht, ob auch bei mir Ein kleiner Schatz sich lässt erschaun. Der helle, liebe Sonnenschein, Der golden Schloß und Hütte malt, Büßt nie den holden Schimmer ein, Der arme Pilger warm umstrahlt.
Text Authorship:
- Singable translation by Georg Pertz (1830 - 1870), "Die Wahrsagerin" [author's text not yet checked against a primary source]
Based on:
- a text in English by Not Applicable , "A wand'ring gypsey, Sirs, am I" [an adaptation]
Based on:
- a text in English by John Walcot (1738 - 1819), "A Gypsey Ballad"
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: Ferdinando Albeggiani
This text was added to the website: 2004-12-11
Line count: 24
Word count: 133