Text & Translation
1. Sonnenuntergang
German source:
Friedrich Hölderlin
Von all deiner Wonne; denn eben ist's,
Daß ich gelauscht, wie goldner Töne
Voll der entzückende Sonnenjüngling
Sein Abendlied auf himmlischer Leier spielt';
Es tönten rings die Wälder und Hügel nach.
Doch fern ist er zu frommen Völkern,
Die ihn noch ehren, hinweggegangen.
Sunset
English translation ©
John H. Campbell
from all your pleasures, I harken now,
to the golden sounds
as the enchanting sunbathed-boy
plays his evening-song on the heavenly lyre.
His song rings through the tinted hills and forests,
though he is far away from the good folk,
who still honor him in his absence.
Translation © by John H. Campbell, reprinted with permission from the LiederNet Archive
1. Sonnenuntergang
German source:
Friedrich Hölderlin
Sunset
English source:
John H. Campbell
Wo bist du? Trunken dämmert die Seele mir
Where are you? Where are you? Drunkenly, my soul awakens
Von all deiner Wonne; denn eben ist's,
from all your pleasures, I harken now,
Daß ich gelauscht, wie goldner Töne
to the golden sounds
Voll der entzückende Sonnenjüngling
as the enchanting sunbathed-boy
Sein Abendlied auf himmlischer Leier spielt';
Es tönten rings die Wälder und Hügel nach.
Doch fern ist er zu frommen Völkern,
Die ihn noch ehren, hinweggegangen.
Composer
Viktor Ullmann
Viktor Ullmann was a Silesian-born Austrian composer, conductor and pianist.
Poet
Friedrich Hölderlin
Johann Christian Friedrich Hölderlin (20 March 1770 – 7 June 1843) was a German poet and philosopher. Described by Norbert von Hellingrath as "the most German of Germans", Hölderlin was a key figure of German Romanticism. Particularly due to his…