Attention! Some of this material is not in the public domain.
It is illegal to copy and distribute our copyright-protected material without permission. It is also illegal to reprint copyright texts or translations without the name of the author or translator.
If you wish to reprint translations, please use the Reprint Basket (upper right hand corner).
Reminder: You must always use the copyright symbol © when you reprint copyright-protected material.
Nur wer sich mit der Jugend freut, Kann frisch und froh auch singen; Kein Sturmwind ihm den Klang zerstreut, Nein! fort stets muß er klingen! Suchst du ein Lied von ächter Art, Süß wie der Duft im Merzen, Frag', ob's die Jugend hat bewahrt In ihrem treuen Herzen! Und wie im Lenz mit einem Mal Stehn Hag und Strauch in Blüthe, O! weckt der Jugend Sonnenstrahl Das Lied dir im Gemüthe! Nie wird die Leier heller dir Und lieblicher besaitet, Als wenn hindurch als einzge Zier Der Jugend Wonne gleitet! Mein Lebtag hab' ich's mir gedacht: Das wär der beste Segen, Wenn einst die Jugend nimmt in Acht Mein Lied auf allen Wegen! Mein Lebtag wünsch' ich Schönres nicht, Als ihrem Drang zu lauschen, Und fort und fort im Frühlingslicht Ein Lied mit ihr zu tauschen!
Confirmed with Liederbuch von Friedrich Oser, 1842-1874. Mit einem biographischen Verzeichnis der Componisten, Basel: Benno Schwabe, Verlagsbuchhandlung, 1875, page 311.
Text Authorship:
- by Friedrich Heinrich Oser (1820 - 1891), "Bester Segen", appears in Liederbuch, in 5. Vermischte Lieder, no. 336 [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 Philipp Tietz (1816 - 1878) [sung text not yet checked]
Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- ENG English (Sharon Krebs) , "The best blessing", 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: 2026-02-21
Line count: 24
Word count: 137
Only he who rejoices with the young Can also sing briskly and happily; No storm-wind can dissipate the sounds for him, No! they must ring on evermore! If you seek a song of the true kind, Sweet as the scents in March, Ask if the young have enshrined it In their faithful hearts! And as in spring all of a sudden The groves and bushes stand in blossom, Oh! the sunbeam of youth wakens The song in your spirit! Never shall the lyre be more brightly, And more beautifully strung for you As when through it, as its sole adornment, Glides the bliss of youth! All my life I have thought it: That would be the best blessing, If someday youth would take note Of my song upon all their pathways! In all my life I would wish for nothing lovelier Than to listen to their striving, And on and on in the radiance of spring To exchange a song with [youth]!
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. Please provide the translator's name when contacting us.
Contact: licenses@email.lieder.example.net
Based on:
- a text in German (Deutsch) by Friedrich Heinrich Oser (1820 - 1891), "Bester Segen", appears in Liederbuch, in 5. Vermischte Lieder, no. 336
This text was added to the website: 2026-08-27
Line count: 24
Word count: 163