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Ei! wie hat's der Sänger gut! Trotz dem Schneesturm wie im Maien Mag ihm süß das Lied gedeihen! Trotz der Nacht Fort noch lacht Ihm die Sonn' in heller Gluth: Ei! wie hat's der Sänger gut! Ei! wie hat's der Sänger gut! Weilt die Liebste noch so ferne, Winken ihrer Augen Sterne Klar und hell Ihm zur Stell, Daß ihm freudig wallt das Blut: Ei! wie hat's der Sänger gut! Ei! wie hat's der Sänger gut! Ist auch längst schon leer die Tasche, Leer der Becher, leer die Flasche Bis zum Grund, Allestund Singt er fort doch wohlgemuth: Ei! wie hat's der Sänger gut! Dann nur geht's dem Sänger schlimm, Sind die Schwingen lahm geblieben, Kann er trinken nicht und lieben! Ob auch hold, Rein wie Gold, Silberhell erklingt die Stimm': Ei! wie geht's dem Sänger schlimm!
Confirmed with Liederbuch von Friedrich Oser, 1842-1874. Mit einem biographischen Verzeichnis der Componisten, Basel: Benno Schwabe, Verlagsbuchhandlung, 1875, pages 321-322.
Text Authorship:
- by Friedrich Heinrich Oser (1820 - 1891), "Der Sänger", appears in Liederbuch, in 5. Vermischte Lieder, no. 348 [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 Eduard Mertke (1833 - 1895), "Der Sänger", op. 11 (Sechs Lieder für gemischten Chor) no. 3, published 1878 [ mixed chorus ], Köln: P.J. Tonger [sung text not yet checked]
- by Rudolph Palme (1834 - 1909), "Der Sänger", op. 35 (Drei Frische Lieder für vierstimmigen Männerchor) no. 2, published 1884 [ ttbb chorus ], Berlin: Simon [sung text not yet checked]
Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- ENG English (Sharon Krebs) , "The singer", copyright © 2026, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
Researcher for this page: Sharon Krebs [Senior Associate Editor]
This text was added to the website: 2026-05-14
Line count: 28
Word count: 138
Ah! how fortunate a singer is! Despite the snowstorm, a song may succeed For him sweetly, as in Maytime! Despite the night The sun still continues to smile For him in a bright glow: Ah! how fortunate a singer is! Ah! how fortunate a singer is! Though his beloved may dwell ever so far away, The stars of her eyes greet him Clearly and brightly Right where he is, So that his blood courses joyfully: Ah! how fortunate a singer is! Ah! how fortunate a singer is! Though his wallet has long been empty, Empty the goblet, empty the bottle To the dregs. At every hour He nevertheless continues to sing lightheartedly: Ah! how fortunate a singer is! Only then is a singer in dire straits If his wings remain paralysed, If he cannot drink or love! Though beautifully, Pure as gold, His voice rings out silver-bright: Ah! then a singer is in dire straits!
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.
Based on:
- a text in German (Deutsch) by Friedrich Heinrich Oser (1820 - 1891), "Der Sänger", appears in Liederbuch, in 5. Vermischte Lieder, no. 348
This text was added to the website: 2026-09-03
Line count: 28
Word count: 156