by Johannes Schlaf (1862 - 1941)
Translation Singable translation by John Bernhoff (flourished 1890-1912)

Der einsame Pfeifer
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Ich kam zu einer Wiese 
im roten Abendschein,
da tanzten ihrer Zweie, 
doch Einer saß allein.
Ein dunkler Hag'rer saß im Gras, 
der pfiff den Zwei'n
so sonderlichen Tanztakt. 
Er pfiff für sich, 
sie tanzten für sich, 
aber die Weise war Dreien gemein.
Sie klang so voll Schmerz und Sehnsucht 
ins ferne Abendrot hinein.

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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) , "The solitary piper"


Researcher for this page: Peter Donderwinkel

This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 12
Word count: 54

The solitary piper
Language: English  after the German (Deutsch) 
I came unto a meadow, 
the setting sun still shone.
There two were gaily dancing, 
while one sat all alone.
A dark gaunt figure lay i'th' grass,
he piped the dancing pair 
a slow weird dance-tune.
He piped his tune, 
they danced to themselves, 
yet that same melody spoke to each one.
Its strains told of heartfelt longing 
and died away with the setting sun.

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: 65