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Ein Schifflein sah ich lenken, Drin sassen auf den Bänken Ein Knab und eine Maid. Stumm sass sie bei dem Fergen Und thät die Augen bergen In grossem Herzeleid. Wie ist der See so tief. "Willst du zum Reigen fahren? Du trägst in deinen Haaren Von Myrten einen Kranz. Und wenn ich bei der Linde Dich Traute wieder finde, Versagst du mir den Tanz?" Wie ist der See so tief. "Mich lockt zum Ringelreigen Nicht mehr der Klang der Geigen, Der Flöten und Schalmei'n. Vorbei ist Lust und Wonne, Muss werden eine Nonne Im Kloster Sanct Marein." Wie ist der See so tief. Er liess das Ruder sinken, Zwei Thränen sah sie blinken Und fallen auf den Grund. -- "Muss ich den Schleier tragen, Will ich dir nicht versagen Zu küssen meinen Mund." Wie ist der See so tief. Es schlang die weissen Arme In übergrossem Harme Um seinen Hals die Maid. Der Kahn gerieth in's Schwanken, Die beiden Minnekranken Vergassen all ihr Leid. Wie ist der See so tief.
Confirmed with Rudolf Baumbach, Spielmannslieder, Leipzig: Verlag von A. G. Liebeskind, 1883, pages 43-44.
Text Authorship:
- by Rudolph Baumbach (1840 - 1905), "Wie ist der See so tief", appears in Spielmannslieder [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 Gottfried Angerer (1851 - 1909), "Wie ist der See so tief", published 1889 [ men's chorus ], Zürich: Fries [sung text not yet checked]
- by Gottfried Angerer (1851 - 1909), "Wie ist der See so tief", published 1890 [ mixed chorus ], Zürich: Fries [sung text not yet checked]
- by Gottfried Angerer (1851 - 1909), "Wie ist der See so tief", published 1890 [ voice and piano ], Zürich: Fries [sung text not yet checked]
- by Rudolf Förster (1860 - 1894), "Wie ist der See so tief", published 1891 [ voice and piano ], from Vier Basslieder, no. 2, Berlin, Glas [sung text not yet checked]
- by Ferdinand Langer (1839 - 1905), "Wie ist der See so tief", published 1889 [ ttbb chorus ], from Zwei vierstimmige Männerchöre, no. 1, Mannheim: Heckel [sung text not yet checked]
Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- ENG English (Sharon Krebs) , "How very deep is the lake", copyright © 2020, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
Researcher for this page: Sharon Krebs [Guest Editor]
This text was added to the website: 2020-10-03
Line count: 35
Word count: 169
I saw a barque travelling; Upon the benches within There sat a lad and a maiden. Mutely they sat beside the ferryman And hid their eyes In deep heartache. How very deep is the lake! "Do you wish to go to the dance? In your hair you wear A wreath of myrtle. And when I once more find you, Lovely one, by the linden tree, Will you deny me a dance?" How very deep is the lake! "I am no longer drawn to the dance By the sound of the violins, The flutes and the shawms. Joy and bliss are over, I am to become a nun In the cloister of St. Mary." How very deep is the lake! He let the oar sink, She saw two tears glitter And fall down. -- "If I am to take the veil, I shall not deny you The kissing of my lips." How very deep is the lake! In enormous grief, the maiden Threw her white arms About his neck. The barque began to sway, The two love-sick ones Forgot all their woe. How very deep is the lake!
Text Authorship:
- Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2020 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 Rudolph Baumbach (1840 - 1905), "Wie ist der See so tief", appears in Spielmannslieder
This text was added to the website: 2020-10-03
Line count: 35
Word count: 186