by Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856)
Translation by John Todhunter (1839 - 1916)

Ein Reiter durch das Bergtal zieht
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Available translation(s): FRE
Ein Reiter durch das Bergtal zieht,
Im traurig stillen Trab:
"Ach! zieh ich jetzt wohl in Liebchens Arm,
Oder zieh ich ins dunkle Grab?"
Die Bergstimm Antwort gab:
"Ins dunkle Grab!"

Und weiter reitet der Reitersmann,
Und seufzet schwer dazu:
"So zieh ich denn hin ins Grab so früh -
Wohlan, im Grab ist Ruh!"
Die Stimme sprach dazu:
"Im Grab ist Ruh!"

Dem Reitersmann eine Träne rollt
Von der [Wange]1 kummervoll:
"Und ist nur im Grab die Ruhe für mich -
So ist mir im Grabe wohl."
Die [Stimme]2 erwidert hohl:
"Im Grabe wohl!"

About the headline (FAQ)

View original text (without footnotes)
1 Lachner, Randhartinger: "Wange bleich und"
2 Medtner: "Stimm' "

Authorship:

Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive):

Settings in other languages, adaptations, or excerpts:

  • Also set in English, a translation by Anonymous/Unidentified Artist ; composed by Frank Bridge.
  • Also set in English, a translation by Anonymous/Unidentified Artist ; composed by Ambrose Davenport.
  • Also set in English, a translation by John Troutbeck, Rev. Dr. (1832 - 1899) ; composed by Robert Franz.
  • Also set in English, a translation by Anonymous/Unidentified Artist ; composed by Karel Boleslav Jirák.
  • Also set in English, a translation by W. Grist ; composed by Emil Kreuz.
  • Also set in English, a translation by Anonymous/Unidentified Artist ; composed by Christopher Edward Rowley.
  • Also set in English, a translation by Anonymous/Unidentified Artist ; composed by Herbert James Wrightson.
  • Also set in Italian (Italiano), a translation by Bernardino Zendrini (1839 - 1879) ; composed by Filippo Filippi.
  • Also set in Italian (Italiano), a translation by Anonymous/Unidentified Artist ; composed by Ladislav Zavertal.
  • Also set in Italian (Italiano), a translation by Anonymous/Unidentified Artist [an adaptation] ; composed by Amilcare Ponchielli.
  • Also set in Russian (Русский), a translation by Aleksei Ivanovich Mashistov ; composed by Nikolai Karlovich Medtner.
  • Also set in Russian (Русский), a translation by A. L. Shkaff ; composed by Nikolay Sergeyevich Potolovsky.

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

  • ENG English (John Todhunter) , "Mountain voices", appears in Heine's Book of Songs, first published <<1907
  • FRE French (Français) (Pierre Mathé) , "La voix de la montagne", copyright © 2010, (re)printed on this website with kind permission


Research team for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator] , Johann Winkler

This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 18
Word count: 95

Mountain voices
Language: English  after the German (Deutsch) 
A horseman through the mountain vale
Goes pacing slow and grave:
"Oh fare I now to my Lady's arms,
Or down to the gloomy grave?"
The Echoes answer gave:
"To the gloomy grave!"

And further the Horseman rides, and heaves
A sigh from his heavy breast:
"If then I go to the grave so soon, --
'Tis well, in the grave is rest!"
A voice from the mountain's crest
Replied: "In the grave is rest!"

From the Horseman's eye adown his cheek
A sorrowful teardrop fell:
"If but in the grave there is rest for me,
To rest in the grave 'twere well."
The Voices tolled like a knell:
"In the grave 'twere well!"

Authorship:

Based on:

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 text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]

This text was added to the website: 2008-05-05
Line count: 18
Word count: 113