The richest reward | I stand faithfully in her service

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by Friedrich Heinrich Oser (1820 - 1891)

Translation © by Sharon Krebs

Der reichste Lohn

Language: German (Deutsch)

Our translations: ENG

In ihrem Solde steh ich treu
Mit meines Sanges Weisen,
Nur immer ihre Huld auf's neu
In meinem Lied zu preisen.

Aus jedem Liede immer nur
Ihr Bildnis wiederstrahlet, --
O, wie sie ihren Troubadour
Mit reichem Lohne zahlet!

Nicht eitles Lob wird mir zum Dank,
Wenn sie den Klang vernommen:
Viel süßern Lohn für meinen Sang
Hab' ich stets überkommen!

Mit Küssen lohnt sie süßer Art
in ihrer frommen Weise;
Noch Höh'res hat sie aufgespart
Zum allerhöchsten Preise:

Mit Perlen lohnt sie königlich,
Mit hellen Wonnezähren,
Wie möcht' auf weiter Erden ich
Wol höh'ren Lohn begehren?

Confirmed with Christian Schad (Hrsg.), Deutscher Musenalmanach für das Jahr 1850, Nürnberg: Verlag von Bauer & Raspe, 1850, pages 178-179.

Text Authorship:

by Friedrich Heinrich Oser (1820 - 1891), "Der reichste Lohn", subtitle: "Contenti estote stipendiis vestris!" [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):

[ None yet in the database ]

Set in a modified version by Benedikt Randhartinger.

Go to the text. [ view differences ]

Research team for this page: Sharon Krebs [Senior Associate Editor], Johann Winkler

This text was added to the website: 2026-03-23
Line count: 20
Word count: 96

The richest reward

Language: English after the German (Deutsch)

I stand faithfully in her service
With the melodies of my singing,
Only ever anew to praise 
Her grace in my song.

From out of every song is ever only
Her image radiantly reflected, --
Oh, how she compensates
Her troubadour with rich reward!

Not vain praise becomes my thanks
When she has heard the sound:
I have always received 
Much sweeter reward for my singing!

In her divine fashion she recompenses 
Me with kisses in a sweet manner;
She has saved something loftier
For the highest of all prizes:

With pearls she royally rewards [me],
With bright tears of bliss:
How could I desire a higher reward
Upon this broad earth?

Subtitle: "Be content with your wages!"

Text Authorship:

Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2026 by Sharon Krebs, (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:

a text in German (Deutsch) by Friedrich Heinrich Oser (1820 - 1891), "Der reichste Lohn", subtitle: "Contenti estote stipendiis vestris!"
- Go to the text page.

This text was added to the website: 2026-05-04
Line count: 20
Word count: 111