by Thomas Moore (1779 - 1852)
Translation by Anonymous / Unidentified Author

The origin of the harp
Language: English 
Our translations:  FRE
'Tis believed that this Harp, which I wake now for thee
Was a Siren of old, who sung under the sea;
And who often, at eve, through the bright waters roved,
To meet, on the green shore, a youth whom she loved. 

But she loved him in vain, for he left her to weep,
And in tears, all the night, her gold tresses to steep,
Till heaven look'd with pity on true-love so warm,
And changed to this soft Harp the sea-maiden's form. 

Still her bosom rose fair — still her cheeks smiled the same -
While her sea-beauties gracefully form'd the light
And her hair, as, let loose, o'er her white arm it fell,
Was changed to bright chords uttering melody's spell. 

Hence it came, that this soft Harp so long hath been known
To mingle love's language with sorrow's sad tone;
Till thou didst divide them, and teach the fond lay
To speak love when I'm near thee, and grief when away.

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):

    [ None yet in the database ]

Settings in other languages, adaptations, or excerpts:

Other available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):

  • FRE French (Français) (Pierre Mathé) , "L'origine de la harpe", copyright © 2014, (re)printed on this website with kind permission


Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]

This text was added to the website: 2003-11-03
Line count: 16
Word count: 163

Die Harfe, die für dich erklungen
Language: German (Deutsch)  after the English 
Our translations:  ENG
Man glaubt, die Harfe, die für dich erklungen,
War eine Sirene in uralter Zeit,
Die oft sich dem Schosse des Meeres entschwungen,
Den Jüngling zu sehn, dem ihr Herz war geweiht.

Doch sie flehte vergebens, er wollte nicht kommen,
Ihr Antlitz erbleichte, ihr Aug' war voll Thau,
Bis der Himmel die frühre Gestalt ihr genommen,
In diese Harfe verwandelt die Frau.

Noch hebt sich ihr Busen, noch glüht ihre Wange
Und über die Haare so lockig und hold,
Da rinnen die Thränen so trüb und so bange:
Das sind jetzt die tönenden Saiten von Gold.

Und darum hörtet die Harfe ihr klingen
Bald von Lieb', bald von Gram, ohne Wahl, ohne Zier --
Bis du kamst und mich lehrtest: Dass Lieb' ich muss singen,
Wenn du nah bist und Gram, wenn du fern bist von mir.

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):

Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):

  • ENG English (Sharon Krebs) , "The harp that sounded for you", copyright © 2017, (re)printed on this website with kind permission


Researcher for this page: Sharon Krebs [Guest Editor]

This text was added to the website: 2011-08-07
Line count: 16
Word count: 135