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Wie [ist]1 es mir so schaurig Des Lenzes erstes Wehn, Wie [dünkt]2 es mir so traurig, Daß Blumen auferstehn. In ihrer Mutter Armen Da ruhten sie so still, Nun müssen, ach die Armen! [Herauf in's]3 Weltgewühl. Die zarten Kinder heben Die Häupter scheu empor: "Wer rufet uns in's Leben Aus [stiller]4 Nacht hervor?" Der Lenz mit Zauberworten Mit Hauchen süßer Lust, Lockt aus den dunklen Pforten, Sie von der Mutter Brust. In bräutlich heller Feyer Erscheint der Blumen Pracht, Doch fern schon ist der Freyer, Wild glüht der Sonne Macht. Nun künden ihre Düfte, Daß sie voll Sehnsucht sind Was labend würzt die Lüfte, Es ist der Schmerzen Kind. Die Kelche sinken nieder Sie schauen Erdenwärts: "O Mutter nimm uns wieder Das Leben gibt nur Schmerz." Die welken Blätter fallen, Mild deckt der Schnee sie zu - Ach Gott! so gehts mit [allen]5, Im Grabe nur ist Ruh.
Confirmed with Gedichte. Von Grafen Johann Mailáth. Wien, 1825. Bey Tendler und v. Manstein, pages 60-61; and with Wiener Zeitschrift für Kunst, Literatur, Theater und Mode. 1821. Viertes Quartal des sechsten Jahrgangs. Auf Kosten des Herausgebers Johann Schickh. Gedruckt bey Anton Strauß. Musik-Beylage zu No. 147. Sonnabend, den 8. December 1821. Attachment (with Schubert's song) at page 1240.
1 Schubert: "tönt"2 Schubert (autograph): "ist"
3 Schubert: "Hervor an's"
4 Schubert (first print 1821): "tiefer"
5 Schubert: "allem"
Note: Stanza 8 is missing in Friedlaender's edition (Edition Peters, Schubert Album, Band VI).
Text Authorship:
- by Johann Graf von Majláth (1786 - 1855), "Der Blumen Schmerz", first published 1821 [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 Franz Peter Schubert (1797 - 1828), "Der Blumen Schmerz", op. posth. 173 (Sechs Lieder) no. 4, D 731 (1821), published 1821, first performed 1825 [ voice, piano ], attachment to Wiener Zeitschrift für Kunst, Literatur, Theater und Mode [sung text checked 1 time]
Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- CAT Catalan (Català) (Salvador Pila) , "El dolor de les flors", copyright © 2019, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- DUT Dutch (Nederlands) [singable] (Lau Kanen) , "Het verdriet der bloemen", copyright © 2009, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- ENG English (Emily Ezust) , "The flower's anguish", copyright ©
- ENG English [singable] (Leon Malinofsky) , "The Flowers' Sorrow", copyright © 2007, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- FRE French (Français) (Guy Laffaille) , "La douleur des fleurs", copyright © 2011, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- ITA Italian (Italiano) (Antonio Zencovich) , "Il dolore dei fiori", copyright © 2014, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
Research team for this page: Emily Ezust [Administrator] , Peter Rastl [Guest Editor]
This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 32
Word count: 153
It seems to me so bitter Yet sweet what the seasons bring, For sadly do I witness The flowers bloom in Spring. Within their mother's loving arms They slumber all so still, But now they must when from those arms Their ordered course fulfill. The fragile children raise up Their heads in timid fright, Who calls us into living From out the silent Night? And Spring, its words of magic With purest pleasure blows, To lure them from their mother Her breast and the dim shadows. With high bridal decorum Their splendrous dance is done, But far now is their suitor And fiercely glows the sun. Their sweet scent now announces Their longing pure and mild; That scent that soothes the air, though, Is naught but Sorrow's child. The blooms go sinking lower, They turn from sky and rain-- O Mother, take us home now, This life gives only pain. The withered petals fall now, Beneath light snows are press'd; O God, so 'tis with all things, The grave alone brings rest.
Text Authorship:
- Singable translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2007 by Leon Malinofsky, (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 Johann Graf von Majláth (1786 - 1855), "Der Blumen Schmerz", first published 1821
This text was added to the website: 2007-12-10
Line count: 32
Word count: 172