Attention! Some of this material is not in the public domain.
It is illegal to copy and distribute our copyright-protected material without permission. It is also illegal to reprint copyright texts or translations without the name of the author or translator.
If you wish to reprint translations, please use the Reprint Basket (upper right hand corner).
Reminder: You must always use the copyright symbol © when you reprint copyright-protected material.
Wandl ich in dem Morgentau Durch die dufterfüllte Au, Muß ich schämen mich so sehr Vor den Blümlein ringsumher! Täublein auf dem Kirchendach, Fischlein in dem Mühlenbach Und das Schlänglein still im Kraut, Alles fühlt und nennt sich Braut. Apfelblüt im lichten Schein Dünkt sich stolz ein Mütterlein; Freudig stirbt so früh im Jahr Schon das Papillonenpaar. Gott, was hab ich denn getan, Daß ich ohne Lenzgespan, Ohne einen süßen Kuß Ungeliebet sterben muß?
Text Authorship:
- by Gottfried Keller (1819 - 1890), "Wandl ich in dem Morgentau", appears in Neuere Gedichte, in Vermischte Gedichte, in Alte Weisen, no. 8 [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 Hans Erich Pfitzner (1869 - 1949), "Wandl ich in dem Morgentau", op. 33 no. 4 (1923), from Alte Weisen, no. 4 [sung text not yet checked]
- by Richard Schweizer (1868 - 1906), "Wandl ich in dem Morgentau", op. 22 no. 4, from Alte Weisen, no. 4 [sung text not yet checked]
- by Hans Sommer (1837 - 1922), "Wandl ich in dem Morgentau", op. 16 no. 2 (1891), published 1893 [ medium voice and piano ], from [Sieben] Gedichte von Gottfried Keller für 1 mittlere Singstimme mit Pianoforte, no. 2, Leipzig, C. F. Leede [sung text not yet checked]
- by Hugo Wolf (1860 - 1903), "Wandl ich in dem Morgentau", 1890, published 1891 [ voice and piano ], from Alte Weisen, no. 4, Mainz : Schott
Score: IMSLP [external link] [sung text checked 1 time]
Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- CAT Catalan (Català) (Salvador Pila) , "Camino a la rosada del matí", copyright © 2021, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- ENG English (Emily Ezust) , "When I wander in the morning dew", copyright ©
- FRE French (Français) (Pierre Mathé) , "Quand je me promène dans la rosée du matin", copyright © 2012, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- TUR Turkish (Türkçe) (Gül Sabar) , "Sabah serinliğinde gezinirken", copyright © 2013, (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: 16
Word count: 74
When I wander in the morning dew, through the fragrance-filled meadow, I grow so ashamed from the flowers around me! The little dove on the church roof, the little fish in the mill brook, and the little snake so quiet in the weeds - all of them feel and name themselves brides. The apple blossom, shining brightly, thinks itself a proud little mother; cheerfully, so early in the year, the butterfly pair dies already. God, what have I then done that I am without a spring mate, that, without even one sweet kiss I must die unloved?
Text Authorship:
- Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © by Emily Ezust, (re)printed on this website with kind permission. To reprint and distribute this author's work for concert programs, CD booklets, etc., you may ask the copyright-holder(s) directly or ask us; we are authorized to grant permission on their behalf.
Based on:
- a text in German (Deutsch) by Gottfried Keller (1819 - 1890), "Wandl ich in dem Morgentau", appears in Neuere Gedichte, in Vermischte Gedichte, in Alte Weisen, no. 8
This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 16
Word count: 97