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Ach, was soll der Mensch verlangen? Ist es besser, ruhig bleiben? Klammernd fest sich anzuhangen? Ist es besser, sich zu treiben? Soll er sich ein Häuschen bauen? Soll er unter Zelten leben? Soll er auf die Felsen trauen? Selbst die festen Felsen beben. Eines schickt sich nicht für alle; Sehe jeder, wie er's treibe, Sehe jeder, wo er bleibe, Und wer steht, daß er nicht falle!
J. Kelz sets stanza 3 only
About the headline (FAQ)
Authorship
- by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749 - 1832), "Beherzigung" [author's text not yet checked 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 Johann Friedrich Kelz (1786 - 1862), "Kanon", published c1818, stanza 3 only. [vocal trio for soprano, tenor, and bass] [text not verified]
- by Hugo Wolf (1860 - 1903), "Beherzigung", published 1891 [voice and piano], from Goethe-Lieder, no. 18, Mainz, Schott [text verified 1 time]
- by Winfried (Petrus Ignatius) Zillig (1905 - 1963), "Beherzigung", 1941, orchestrated 1960 [female voice and piano or orchestra], from Zehn Lieder nach Gedichten von Goethe, no. 8. [text not verified]
Available translations, adaptations, and transliterations (if applicable):
- ENG English (Emily Ezust) , title 1: "Reflection", copyright ©
- FRE French (Français) (Pierre Mathé) , title 1: "Résolution", copyright © 2011, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- ITA Italian (Italiano) (Ferdinando Albeggiani) , title 1: "Riflessione", copyright © 2012, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 12
Word count: 66
Ah, what should Man desire? Is it better to remain silent, clinging tightly to hang on? Is it better to carry on? Should he build himself a house? Should he live in tents? Should he trust the rocks? For even firm rock can tremble. But one thing does not suit everyone; each should see what he can do - each see where he should stay; and he who stands will not fall!
Authorship
- Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © by Emily Ezust
Emily Ezust permits her translations to be reproduced without prior permission for printed (not online) programs to free-admission concerts only, provided the following credit is given:
Translation copyright © by Emily Ezust,
from the LiederNet Archive -- https://www.lieder.net/For any other purpose, please write to the e-mail address below to request permission and discuss possible fees.
- a text in German (Deutsch) by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749 - 1832), "Beherzigung"
This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 12
Word count: 72