by Else Abramovic
Translation Singable translation by John Bernhoff (flourished 1890-1912)

Bienenlied
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Um die grossen, weissen Dolden
summt es surrend, Bienen fliegen,
und die Leibchen bräunlich golden
sich im Sonnenlichte wiegen.
 
S'ist ein Wispern und ein Schwirren
wie sie wiegend mich um schweben;
wie die Flügelein schillernd flirren;
wie vom eiligen Flug sie beden!
 
In den duft'gen Kelch vergraben,
schlürfen sie Leben und Wonne.
Ach! Könnt'ich vom Mai was haben!
Könnt'ich trinken doch die Sonne!

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

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

  • ENG English [singable] (John Bernhoff) , "Bee-Song"


Researcher for this page: Ferdinando Albeggiani

This text was added to the website: 2009-07-16
Line count: 12
Word count: 63

Bee‑Song
Language: English  after the German (Deutsch) 
In the grove, with odours teeming,
hark, what humming, bees are winging,
and their gold brown coats are gleaming,
in each sun-kissed blossom swinging.

Soft they whisper, hover, flitter,
round the opening blooms assemble,
bright their wings in the sunbeams glitter,
panting, breathless with flight, they tremble!

Bedded deep in blossoms dreaming,
sweet is the message they tender.
Come! sweet May with gladness beaming,
let me drink thy sun's deep splendour!

From the Wolff score.

Text 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: 2009-07-16
Line count: 12
Word count: 71