by Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856)
Translation by Emma Lazarus (1849 - 1887)
Hoch am Himmel stand die Sonne
Language: German (Deutsch)
Available translation(s): FRE
Hoch am Himmel stand die Sonne, Von weißen Wolken umwogt, Das Meer war still, Und sinnend lag ich am Steuer des Schiffes, Träumerisch sinnend - und, halb im Wachen Und halb im Schlummer, schaute ich Christus, Den Heiland der Welt. Im wallend weißen Gewande Wandelt' er riesengroß Über Land und Meer; Es ragte sein Haupt in den Himmel, Die Hände streckte er segnend Über Land und Meer; Und als ein Herz in der Brust Trug er die Sonne, Die rote, flammende Sonne, Und das rote, flammende Sonnenherz Goß seine Gnadenstrahlen Und sein holdes, liebseliges Licht, Erleuchtend und wärmend, Über Land und Meer. Glockenklänge zogen feierlich Hin und her, zogen wie Schwäne An Rosenbändern, das gleitende Schiff, Und zogen es spielend ans grüne Ufer, Wo Menschen wohnen, in hochgetürmter, Ragender Stadt. O Friedenswunder! Wie still die Stadt! Es ruhte das dumpfe Geräusch Der schwatzenden, schwülen Gewerbe, Und durch die reinen, hallenden Straßen Wandelten Menschen, weißgekleidete, Palmzweigtragende, Und wo sich zwei begegneten, Sahn sie sich an, verständnisinnig, Und schauernd, in Liebe und süßer Entsagung, Küßten sie sich auf die Stirne, Und schauten hinauf Nach des Heilands Sonnenherzen, Das freudig versöhnend sein rotes Blut Hinunterstrahlte, Und dreimalselig sprachen sie: "Gelobt sei Jesu Christ!"
About the headline (FAQ)
Authorship:
- by Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856), "Frieden", appears in Buch der Lieder, in Die Nordsee, in Erster Zyklus, no. 12 [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 Samuel de Lange (1840 - 1911), "Frieden", op. 87 (Die Nordsee : vier Gesänge) no. 4, published 190-? [ baritone and orchestra ] [sung text not yet checked]
- by Ernst Hermann Seyffardt (1859 - 1942), "Friede: Konzertszene", op. 32 [ baritone or mezzo-soprano and large orchestra ] [sung text not yet checked]
- by Waldemar , "Frieden", op. 5 [sung text not yet checked]
Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- ENG English (Emma Lazarus) , "Peace", appears in Poems and Ballads of Heinrich Heine, first published 1881
- FRE French (Français) (Pierre Mathé) , "Paix", 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: 43
Word count: 200
Peace
Language: English  after the German (Deutsch)
High in heaven stood the sun, Surrounded by white clouds, The sea was salm; And I lay musing on the helm of the ship, Dreamily musing, and, half-awake, Half asleep, I saw Christ, The Saviour of the world. In waving white raiment He strode gigantically tall Over land and sea. His head touched heaven, He spread his hands in benediction Over land and sea; And for a heart in his bosom He bore the sun, The red fiery sun, And the red, fiery sun-heart Showered its beams of grace, And its pure love-bestowing light, That illumines and warms Over land and sea. Peals of festal bells drew hither and thither, As swans might draw by chains of roses The smooth-gliding vessel, And sportively drew it to the verdant banks Where folk dwelt in a lofty-towered Overhanging town. Oh miracle of peace! How quiet was the town! Hushed was the dull murmur of chattering, sweltering Trade. And through the clean, resounding streets, Walked people clad in white, Bearing branches of palm. And when two such would meet, They looked at each other with ardent sympathy And, trembling with love and self denial, Kissed each other's brow, And glanced upward Towards the sun-heart of the Savior, Which in glad propitiation irradiated downward Its crimson blood; And thrice they exclaimed, "Praised be Jesus Christ!"
Note: the text concludes as follows - but might not be based on Heine:
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
Couldst thou have conceived this vision, What wouldst thou have given, Most dearly belovèd, -- Thou who art so weak in body and mind, And so strong in faith! Thou who so singly honorest the Trinity, Who kissest daily the pug and the reins and the paws Of thy lofty protectress, And hastenest with canting devotion To the Aulic councilor and to the councilor of justice, And at last to the council of the Realm In the pious city, Where sand and faith flourish, And the long-suffering waters of the sacred Spree Purify souls and dilute tea, Couldst thou have conceived this vision Most dearly belovèd, Thou hadst borne it to the lofty minnows of the market place, With thy pale blinking countenance, Rapt with piety and humility; And their high mightinesses Ravished and trembling with exstacy, Would have fallen praying with thee on their knees, And their eyes glowing with beautitude, Would have promised thee an increase of salary, Of a hundred thalers Prussion currency. And thou wouldst have stammered with folded hands, "Praised by Jesus Christ!"
Authorship:
- by Emma Lazarus (1849 - 1887), "Peace", 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), "Frieden", appears in Buch der Lieder, in Die Nordsee, in Erster Zyklus, no. 12
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: 42
Word count: 222