Songs

Abschied

by Franz Schubert

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Text & Translation

Abschied
German source: Johann Mayrhofer

Über die Berge zieht ihr fort, 
Kommt an manchen grünen Ort; 
Muss zurücke ganz allein,
Lebet wohl! es muss so sein.

Scheiden, meiden was man liebt,
Ach wie wird das Herz betrübt!
O Seenspiegel, Wald und Hügel schwinden all; 
Hör’ verschwimmen eurer Stimmen Wiederhall.

Lebt wohl! klingt klagevoll,
Ach wie wird das Herz betrübt. 
Scheiden, meiden was man liebt; 
Lebt wohl! klingt klagevoll.

Farewell
English translation © Richard Wigmore

You go over the mountains
and come upon many a green spot; 
I must return all alone,
farewell, it must be so.

Parting, leaving that which we love,
ah, how it grieves the heart.
Glassy lakes, woods and hills all vanish; 
I hear the echo of your voices fade away.

The lament sounds: ‘Farewell!’
Ah, how it grieves the heart. 
Parting, leaving that which we love; 
the lament sounds: ‘Farewell!’

Abschied
German source: Johann Mayrhofer

Farewell
English source: Richard Wigmore

Über die Berge zieht ihr fort, 
You go over the mountains
Kommt an manchen grünen Ort; 
and come upon many a green spot; 
Muss zurücke ganz allein,
I must return all alone,
Lebet wohl! es muss so sein.
farewell, it must be so.

Scheiden, meiden was man liebt,
Parting, leaving that which we love,
Ach wie wird das Herz betrübt!
ah, how it grieves the heart.
O Seenspiegel, Wald und Hügel schwinden all; 
Glassy lakes, woods and hills all vanish; 
Hör’ verschwimmen eurer Stimmen Wiederhall.
I hear the echo of your voices fade away.

Lebt wohl! klingt klagevoll,
The lament sounds: ‘Farewell!’
Ach wie wird das Herz betrübt. 
Ah, how it grieves the heart. 
Scheiden, meiden was man liebt; 
Parting, leaving that which we love; 
Lebt wohl! klingt klagevoll.
the lament sounds: ‘Farewell!’

Composer

Franz Schubert

Franz Peter Schubert was an late Classical and early Romantic composer. He produced a vast oeuvre during his short life, composing more the 600 vocal works (largely Lieder), and well as several symphonies, operas, and a large body of piano music. He…

Poet

Johann Mayrhofer

Johann Baptist Mayrhofer , was an Austrian poet and librettist. He is best known for his close friendship with the composer Franz Schubert. Mayrhofer was born in Steyr, educated and Novitiate in St. Florian's Priory Upper Austria. In 1810 he began…

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