by Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856)
Translation by Emma Lazarus (1849 - 1887)
Meeresstille
Language: German (Deutsch)
Our translations: FRE
Meeresstille! Ihre Strahlen Wirft die Sonne auf das Wasser, Und im wogenden Geschmeide Zieht das Schiff die grünen Furchen. Bei dem Steuer liegt der Bootsmann Auf dem Bauch, und schnarchet leise. Bei dem Mastbaum, segelflickend, Kauert der beteerte Schiffsjung. Hinterm Schmutze seiner Wangen Sprüht es rot, wehmütig zuckt es Um das breite Maul, und schmerzlich Schaun die großen, schönen Augen. Denn der Kapitän steht vor ihm, Tobt und flucht und schilt ihn: Spitzbub. «Spitzbub! einen Hering hast du Aus der Tonne mir gestohlen!» Meeresstille! aus den Wellen Taucht hervor ein kluges Fischlein, Wärmt das Köpfchen in der Sonne, Plätschert lustig mit dem Schwänzchen. Doch die Möwe, aus den Lüften, Schießt herunter auf das Fischlein, Und den raschen Raub im Schnabel, Schwingt sie sich hinauf ins Blaue.
Text Authorship:
- by Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856), "Meeresstille", appears in Buch der Lieder, in Die Nordsee, in Erster Zyklus, no. 9 [author's text checked 1 time 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 Christian Bruhn (b. 1934), "Meeresstille" [ voice and orchestra ], from Heine-Lieder, no. 13 [sung text not yet checked]
- by Zeke Hecker (b. 1947), "Meeresstille", published 2005 [ tenor and piano ] [sung text not yet checked]
- by Manfred Schiebel (b. 1969), "Meeresstille" [sung text not yet checked]
Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- ENG English (Emma Lazarus) , "Calm", appears in Poems and Ballads of Heinrich Heine, first published 1881
- FRE French (Français) (Pierre Mathé) , "Mer calme", copyright © 2009, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
This text was added to the website: 2008-05-06
Line count: 24
Word count: 126
Calm
Language: English after the German (Deutsch)
Calm at sea! The sunbeams flicker Failing on the level water, And athwart the liquid jewels Plows the ship her emerald furrows. By the rudder lies the pilot On his stomach, gently snoring, Near the mast, the tarry ship-boy Stoops at work, the sail repairing. 'Neath their smut his cheeks are ruddy, Hotly flushed, -- his broad mouth twitches. Full of sadness are the glances Of his eyes so large and lovely. For the captain stands before him, Raves and scolds and curses: "Rascal! Little rascal, thou hast robbed me Of a herring from the barrel." Calm at sea! above the water Comes a cunning fish out-peeping. Warms his little head in sunshine, Merrily his small fins plashing. But from airy heights, the sea-mew On the little fish darts downward. Carrying in hs beak the booty Back he soars into the azure.
Text Authorship:
- by Emma Lazarus (1849 - 1887), "Calm", appears in Poems and Ballads of Heinrich Heine, first published 1881 [author's text checked 1 time against a primary source]
Based on:
- a text in German (Deutsch) by Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856), "Meeresstille", appears in Buch der Lieder, in Die Nordsee, in Erster Zyklus, no. 9
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: 2008-05-06
Line count: 24
Word count: 141