by Joseph Viktor von Scheffel (1826 - 1886)
Translation Singable translation by Virginia Woods (b. 1845), as Mrs. John P. Morgan

Das ist im Leben häßlich eingerichtet
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Available translation(s): ENG ITA
Das ist im Leben [häßlich]1 eingerichtet,
Daß bei den Rosen gleich die Dornen steh'n,
Und was das [arme Herz]2 auch sehnt und dichtet,
[Zum Schlusse]3 kommt das Voneinandergeh'n.
In deinen Augen hab' ich einst gelesen,
Es blitzte drin von Lieb' und Glück ein Schein:
  Behüet dich Gott! es wär' zu schön gewesen,
  Behüet dich Gott, es hat nicht sollen sein! -- 

Leid, Neid und Haß, auch ich hab' sie empfunden,
Ein sturmgeprüfter müder Wandersmann.
Ich träumt' von Frieden dann und stillen Stunden,
Da führte mich der Weg zu dir hinan.
In deinen Armen wollt' ich ganz genesen,
Zum Danke dir mein junges Leben weih'n:
  Behüet dich Gott!  Es wär' zu schön gewesen!
  Behüet dich Gott, es hat nicht sollen sein! --

[Die Wolken flieh'n]4, der Wind [saust]5 durch die Blätter,
Ein Regenschauer zieht durch Wald und Feld,
Zum Abschiednehmen just das rechte Wetter,
Grau wie der Himmel steht vor mir die Welt.
Doch wend' es sich zum Guten oder Bösen,
[Du schlanke Maid, in]6 Treuen denk' ich dein!
  Behüet dich Gott, es wär zu schön gewesen,
  Behüet dich Gott, es hat nicht sollen sein! --

F. Abt sets stanzas 1, 3
E. Meyer-Helmund sets stanzas 1, 3
H. Pfitzner sets stanzas 1, 3

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Confirmed with Josef Viktor von Scheffel, Der Trompeter von Säkkingen. Ein Sang vom Oberrhein, zweihundertfünfundvierzigste Auflage, Stuttgart: Verlag von Adolf Bonz & Comp., 1899, pages 220-221.

Note to the last two lines of each stanza: Most settings use the more common spelling of the word "Behüt."

1 Hamma: "schmerzlich"; further changes may exist not shown above.
2 Pfitzner: "Menschenhertz"
3 Meyer-Helmund: "Am Ende"
4 Abt, Meyer-Helmund, Pfitzner: "Wolken entfliehn"
5 Pfitzner: "rauscht"
6 Abt, Meyer-Helmund, Pfitzner: "Mein Leben lang in"

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) , "Song of Young Werner (It was not to be)", copyright © 2006, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
  • ENG English [singable] (Virginia Woods) , "Young Werner"
  • ITA Italian (Italiano) (Amelia Maria Imbarrato) , from Il trombettiere di Säckingen, copyright © 2009, (re)printed on this website with kind permission


Research team for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator] , Sharon Krebs [Guest Editor]

This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 24
Word count: 182

Young Werner
Language: English  after the German (Deutsch) 
Ah, life is planned so wretchedly, so sadly!
Where roses grow, be sure that thorns are near!
And whatsoe'er the heart in longing loveth,
At last must parting know, and sorrow's tear!
Once in thine eyes, I saw, I saw a gleam,
One ray of love and happiness for me!
God guard thee, love! It was too fair a dream!
God guard thee, love! A dream that ne'er might be!

Life's wrong I know, its envy, hate and sorrow!
A stormtried, weary, weary wand'rer free!
Who sought for peace, and dreamed of sunny morrow,
And found the way, that led to love and thee!
In thy dear army my life should be restored me,
And all its youth and strength be giv'n to thee!
God guard thee, love! It was too fair a dream!
God guard thee, love! A dream that ne'er might be!

The clouds are flying, winds sigh thro' the branches,
The rain in showers falls on vale and wood,
As tho' earth knew the hour, the hour of parting,
That as this sky, the world before me stood!
And if it bring me good, or bring me ill,
My trueest thought, dear maid, shall be of thee!
God guard thee, love! It was too fair a dream!
God guard thee, love! A dream that ne'er might be!

From the Riedel score.

Authorship:

  • Singable translation by Virginia Woods (b. 1845), as Mrs. John P. Morgan, "Young Werner"

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: Harry Joelson

This text was added to the website: 2011-05-05
Line count: 24
Word count: 220