by Alfred Tennyson, Lord (1809 - 1892)
Translation by Ferdinand Freiligrath (1810 - 1876)
The sisters' shame
Language: English
We were two daughters of one race; She was the fairest in the face. The wind is blowing in turret and tree. They were together, and she fell; Therefore revenge became me well. O, the earl was fair to see! She died; she went to burning flame; She mix'd her ancient blood with shame. The wind is howling in turret and tree. Whole weeks and months, and early and late, To win his love I lay in wait. O, the earl was fair to see! I made a feast; I bade him come; I won his love, I brought him home, The wind is roaring in turret and tree. And after supper on a bed, Upon my lap he laid his head. O, the earl was fair to see! I kiss'd his eyelids into rest, His ruddy cheeks upon my breast. The wind is raging in turret and tree. I hated him with the hate of hell, But I loved his beauty passing well. O, the earl was fair to see! I rose up in the silent night; I made my dagger sharp and bright. The wind is raving in turret and tree. As half-asleep his breath he drew, Three time I stabb'd him thro' and thro'. O, the earl was fair to see! I curl'd and comb'd his comely head, He looked so grand when he was dead. The wind is blowing in turret and tree. I wrapt his body in the sheet, And laid him at his mother's feet. O, the earl was fair to see!
Authorship:
- by Alfred Tennyson, Lord (1809 - 1892), "The sisters' shame" [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):
- [ None yet in the database ]
Settings in other languages, adaptations, or excerpts:
- Also set in German (Deutsch), a translation by Ferdinand Freiligrath (1810 - 1876) , "Die Schwestern" ; composed by Adolf Jensen.
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
This text was added to the website: 2011-07-17
Line count: 36
Word count: 258
Die Schwestern
Language: German (Deutsch)  after the English
Wir waren zwei Töchter aus einem Haus; Sie war die Schönste, sie stach mich aus. Wie weht der Wind über Turm und Höh'n! Sie fiel, er war ein stattlicher Mann; Ich meine, die Rache stand wohl mir an! O, der Earl war schön zu seh'n! Sie starb, sie ging in die ewige Glut; Sie mischte mit Schmach ihr altes Blut. Wie heult der Wind über Turm und Höh'n! Ganze Wochen und Monde, Tag und Nacht, Seine Lieb' zu gewinnen war ich bedacht: O, der Earl war schön zu seh'n! Ich gab ein Fest, er war beim Schmaus; Ich gewann seine Lieb', ich bracht' ihn nach Haus. Wie brüllt der Wind über Turm und Höh'n! Und nach dem Essen, die Kleider los, Da legt' er sein Haupt in meinen Schoß: O, der Earl war schön zu seh'n! Seine schwarzen Wimpern küßt' ich zur Ruh'; Auf meiner Brust, da schloß er sie zu. Wie wütet der Wind über Turm und Höh'n! Ich haßte ihn mit der Hölle Haß, Aber seine Schönheit gefiel mir baß: O, der Earl war schön zu seh'n! Aufstand ich in der stillen Nacht; Blank hab' ich und scharf meinen Dolch gemacht. Wie rast der Wind über Turm und Höh'n! Halb im Schlafe lag er -- kein Laut in der Burg! Da stieß ich ihn dreimal durch und durch: O, der Earl war schön zu sehn! Ich kämmt' und lockte sein schönes Haar; Er sah so groß, als er tot nun war. Wie weht der Wind über Turm und Höh'n! In ein Bahrtuch hüllt' ich den toten Mann, Seiner Mutter zu Füßen legt' ich ihn dann: O, der Earl war schön zu seh'n!
Authorship:
- by Ferdinand Freiligrath (1810 - 1876), "Die Schwestern" [author's text checked 1 time against a primary source]
Based on:
- a text in English by Alfred Tennyson, Lord (1809 - 1892), "The sisters' shame"
Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive):
- by Adolf Jensen (1837 - 1879), "Die Schwestern", op. 53 (Sechs Gesänge für 1 Singstimme mit Pianoforte) no. 1, published 1876 [ voice and piano ], Breslau, Hainauer [sung text not yet checked]
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
This text was added to the website: 2011-07-17
Line count: 36
Word count: 273