Songs

Abschied von einem Freunde

by Franz Schubert

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Text & Translation

Abschied von einem Freunde
German source: Schubert, Franz

Lebe wohl! Du lieber Freund!
Ziehe hin in fernes Land,
Nimm der Freundschaft trautes Band – 
Und bewahr’s in treuer Hand!

Lebe wohl! Du lieber Freund! 
Hör’ in diesem Trauersang 
Meines Herzens innern Drang, 
Tönt er doch so dumpf und bang.

Lebe wohl! Du lieber Freund! 
Scheiden heisst das bitt’re Wort, 
Weh, es ruft Dich von uns fort 
Hin an den Bestimmungsort.

Farewell to a Friend
English translation © Richard Wigmore

Farewell, dear friend!
Go forth to a distant land;
take this cherished bond of friendship 
and keep it faithfully.

Farewell, dear friend!
Hear in this mournful song
the yearning of my inmost heart, 
muffled and anxious.

Farewell, dear friend! 
Parting is a bitter word; 
alas, it calls you from us
to the place decreed for you.

Abschied von einem Freunde
German source: Schubert, Franz

Farewell to a Friend
English source: Richard Wigmore

Lebe wohl! Du lieber Freund!
Farewell, dear friend!
Ziehe hin in fernes Land,
Go forth to a distant land;
Nimm der Freundschaft trautes Band – 
take this cherished bond of friendship 
Und bewahr’s in treuer Hand!
and keep it faithfully.

Lebe wohl! Du lieber Freund! 
Farewell, dear friend!
Hör’ in diesem Trauersang 
Hear in this mournful song
Meines Herzens innern Drang, 
the yearning of my inmost heart, 
Tönt er doch so dumpf und bang.
muffled and anxious.

Lebe wohl! Du lieber Freund! 
Farewell, dear friend! 
Scheiden heisst das bitt’re Wort, 
Parting is a bitter word; 
Weh, es ruft Dich von uns fort 
alas, it calls you from us
Hin an den Bestimmungsort.
to the place decreed for you.

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…

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