Songs

Amalia

by Franz Schubert

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Text & Translation

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Amalia
German source: Friedrich von Schiller

Schön wie Engel voll Walhallas Wonne, 
Schön vor allen Jünglingen war er, 
Himmlisch mild sein Blick, wie Maiensonne, 
Rückgestrahlt vom blauen Spiegelmeer.

Seine Küsse – Paradiesisch Fühlen! 
Wie zwei Flammen sich ergreifen, wie 
Harfentöne in einander spielen
Zu der himmelvollen Harmonie –

Stürzten, flogen, schmolzen Geist in Geist zusammen,
Lippen, Wangen brannten, zitterten Seele rann in 
Seele – Erd’ und Himmel schwammen
Wie zerronnen um die Liebenden!

Er ist hin – vergebens, ach vergebens 
Stöhnet ihm der bange Seufzer nach! 
Er ist hin, und alle Lust des Lebens 
Rinnet hin in ein verlor’nes Ach! 

Amalia
English translation © Richard Wigmore

Fair as angels filled with the bliss of Valhalla,
he was fair above all other youths;
his gaze had the gentleness of heaven, like the May 
sun reflected in the blue mirror of the sea.

His kisses were the touch of paradise! 
As two flames engulf each other,
as the sounds of the harp mingle
in celestial harmony.

So our spirits rushed, flew and fused together;
lips and cheeks burned, trembled, 
soul melted into sod, earth and heaven
swam, as though dissolved, around the lovers!

He is gone – in vain , ah in vain 
my anxious sighs echo after him! 
He is gone, and all life’s joy
ebbs away in one forlorn cry!

Amalia
German source: Friedrich von Schiller

Amalia
English source: Richard Wigmore

Schön wie Engel voll Walhallas Wonne, 
Fair as angels filled with the bliss of Valhalla,
Schön vor allen Jünglingen war er, 
he was fair above all other youths;
Himmlisch mild sein Blick, wie Maiensonne, 
his gaze had the gentleness of heaven, like the May 
Rückgestrahlt vom blauen Spiegelmeer.
sun reflected in the blue mirror of the sea.

Seine Küsse – Paradiesisch Fühlen! 
His kisses were the touch of paradise! 
Wie zwei Flammen sich ergreifen, wie 
As two flames engulf each other,
Harfentöne in einander spielen
as the sounds of the harp mingle
Zu der himmelvollen Harmonie –
in celestial harmony.

Stürzten, flogen, schmolzen Geist in Geist zusammen,
So our spirits rushed, flew and fused together;
Lippen, Wangen brannten, zitterten Seele rann in 
lips and cheeks burned, trembled, 
Seele – Erd’ und Himmel schwammen
soul melted into sod, earth and heaven
Wie zerronnen um die Liebenden!
swam, as though dissolved, around the lovers!

Er ist hin – vergebens, ach vergebens 
He is gone – in vain , ah in vain 
Stöhnet ihm der bange Seufzer nach! 
my anxious sighs echo after him! 
Er ist hin, und alle Lust des Lebens 
He is gone, and all life’s joy
Rinnet hin in ein verlor’nes Ach! 
ebbs away in one forlorn cry!

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

Friedrich von Schiller

Johann Christoph Friedrich von Schiller was a German poet, philosopher, physician, historian, and playwright. During the last seventeen years of his life (1788–1805), Schiller struck up a productive, if complicated, friendship with the already…

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