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.
To inquire about permissions and rates, contact Emily Ezust at licenses@email.lieder.example.net
If you wish to reprint translations, please make sure you include the names of the translators in your email. They are below each translation.
Note: You must use the copyright symbol © when you reprint copyright-protected material.
Nicht so düster und so bleich Schläfer in der Truhe, [Wohnest nun im stillen Reich Gottgeweihter Ruhe!]1 Wird der Leib des Wurmes Raub Und ein Spiel den Winden - Muß das Herz selbst noch als Staub, Leben und empfinden. [Jetzt beginnet dein]2 Gericht: Gleichend deinem Leben Werden dunkel oder licht Träume dich umschweben. Jeder Laut, der dich verklagt Als den Quell der Schmerzen, Wird ein scharfer Dolch und nagt Sich zu deinem Herzen. Doch der Liebe Thränenthau, Der dein Grab besprühet: Färbt sich an des Himmels Blau, Knospet auf und blühet. Im Gesange lebt der Held, Und zu seinem Ruhme [Brennet]3 hoch im Sternenfeld Eine Feuerblume. Schlafe bis der Engel ruft Bis Posaunen klingen, Und die Leiber sich der Gruft Jugendlich entschwingen!
About the headline (FAQ)
View original text (without footnotes)Confirmed with Dichtungen vom Freyherrn Franz von Schlechta. Erster Band. Wien, 1824. Im v. Hirschfeld'schen Verlage, pages 14-15.
1 Schubert (first edition): "Unter Schollen leicht und weich / Leg' ich dich zur Ruhe."2 Schubert (first edition): "Denn der Herr sitzt zu"
3 Schubert (first edition): "Schimmert"
Note: The textual changes inserted into Schubert's manuscript by a third party (possibly Schlechta himself) for the first edition (Diabelli 1832) have not been retained in Neue Schubert Gesamtausgabe.
Text Authorship:
- by Franz Xaver Freiherr von Schlechta (1796 - 1875), "Todtengräber-Weise" [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 Franz Peter Schubert (1797 - 1828), "Totengräber-Weise", D 869 (1826), published 1832 [ voice, piano ], A. Diabelli & Co., VN 4015 Wien (Nachlaß-Lieferung 15) [sung text checked 1 time]
Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- CAT Catalan (Català) (Salvador Pila) , "Cançó de l'enterramorts", copyright © 2017, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- DUT Dutch (Nederlands) [singable] (Lau Kanen) , "Doodgraverslied", copyright © 2007, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- ENG English (Malcolm Wren) , copyright © 2020, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- FRE French (Français) (Guy Laffaille) , "Chant du fossoyeur", copyright © 2012, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
Research team for this page: Emily Ezust [Administrator] , Peter Rastl [Guest Editor]
This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 28
Word count: 124
Not so gloomy and so pale, Sleeper, in your chest, You are now living in that quiet kingdom Of divinely blessed rest! Although the body is becoming prey for worms And a plaything for the winds - The heart, even as dust, has to Live and experience emotions. Your judgement is now beginning - Similar to your life, Whether they be dark or light, Dreams are going to hover around you. Every sound that accuses you Of being a source of pain Will become a sharp dagger and stab You in the heart. But love's teary dew Which is being sprayed your grave Will be coloured by the blue of the heavens, It will sprout buds and blossom. The hero lives in song And to his glory, Burning high in the field of stars, Is a flower of fire. Sleep until the angel calls, Until trombones sound, And the bodies in the grave Rise up as they are made young again.
About the headline (FAQ)
Translations of title(s):
"Todtengräber-Weise" = "Gravedigger tune"
"Totengräber-Weise" = "Gravedigger tune"
Text Authorship:
- Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2020 by Malcolm Wren, (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 Franz Xaver Freiherr von Schlechta (1796 - 1875), "Todtengräber-Weise"
This text was added to the website: 2020-03-22
Line count: 28
Word count: 159