by Joseph Müller (1802 - 1872)
Translation Singable translation by John Bernhoff (flourished 1890-1912)

Das Veilchen
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Our translations:  ENG FRE ITA
Spende, Veilchen, deine Düfte 
zu Marias Preis und Ruhm, 
statt des Weihrauchs, statt der Myrrhen
bring'ich dich in's Heiligthum.

Eitler Prunk und bunt Geschmeide
sind nicht deiner Schönheit Zier,
in dem einfach blauen Kleide
prangst du edler als Saphir.

Stille blühst du und bescheiden
deiner Tugend unbewusst,
einsam willst du gerne wohnen 
aller Menschen Freud und Lust.

So auch blüthest du, Maria,
einsten als des Herren Braut,
Gott hat aller Welten Segen,
alle Himmel dir vertraut.

Keusche Jungfrau, Himmelspforte,
lass mich wie das Veilchen sein,
ohne Stolz und ohne Hoffart
stets bescheiden, keusch und rein.

Lass mich wie die blauen Blümchen
immer sanft sein, fromm und gut,
dir, Maria, stets zu Ehren
leben unter deiner Hut.

Note: one Liszt score has a typo in stanza 2, line 1, word 1 ("Eiller") and another typo in stanza 3, line 2, word 3 ("und bewusst")


Text Authorship:

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 (Sharon Krebs) , "The violet", copyright © 2011, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
  • ENG English [singable] (John Bernhoff) , "The violet"
  • FRE French (Français) (Guy Laffaille) , "La violette", copyright © 2012, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
  • ITA Italian (Italiano) (Ferdinando Albeggiani) , "La violetta", copyright © 2012, (re)printed on this website with kind permission


Researcher for this page: Virginia Knight

This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 24
Word count: 116

The violet
Language: English  after the German (Deutsch) 
Breathe thy fragrance, modest violet,
To the Virgin Mary's praise,
And instead of myrrh and incense
On her altar be thy place.

Proud display and love of glory
Never were thy fond desire,
Yet no sapphire e'er outshone thee,
In thy simply blue attire.

Neath the hedgerow sweetly blowing,
Knowest not thy virtues rare,
But thy heav'nsent breath betrays thee,
With the head bow'd as in pray'r.

So didst blossom forth, sweet Mary,
As the mother of our Lord;
God bestow'd on thee His blessing
In the highest heav'ns adored.

Virgin Mary, heaven's portal,
Let me like the violet be,
Meek and humble, sweet in spirit,
Pure in heart, and loving thee.

Let me like that blue-eyed flow'ret,
With my head low bent in pray'r,
Kneeling at Thy feet adore Thee,
Living ever neath Thy care.

From a Liszt 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 page: Sharon Krebs [Guest Editor]

This text was added to the website: 2011-04-12
Line count: 24
Word count: 136