Songs

An die Leier

by Franz Schubert

If you would like to use our texts and translations, please click here for more information.

Text & Translation

View IPA

An die Leier
German source: Franz von Bruchmann

Ich will von Atreus’ Söhnen, 
Von Kadmus will ich singen! 
Doch meine Saiten tönen 
Nur Liebe im Erklingen.

Ich tauschte um die Saiten, 
Die Leier möcht ich tauschen! 
Alcidens Siegesschreiten
Sollt ihrer Macht entrauschen!

Doch auch die Saiten tönen 
Nur Liebe im Erklingen!
So lebt denn wohl, Heroen! 
Denn meine Saiten tönen
Statt Heldensang zu drohen, 
Nur Liebe im Erklingen.

To my lyre
English translation © Richard Wigmore

I would sing of Atreus’ sons, 
of Cadmus,
but my strings bring forth 
only sounds of love.

I have changed the strings,
I should like to change the lyre! 
Alcides’ victorious march 
should ring out from its might!

But these strings, too,
bring forth only sounds of love! 
Farewell, then, heroes!
For my strings,
instead of threatening with heroic songs, 
bring forth only sounds of love.

An die Leier
German source: Franz von Bruchmann

To my lyre
English source: Richard Wigmore

Ich will von Atreus’ Söhnen, 
I would sing of Atreus’ sons, 
Von Kadmus will ich singen! 
of Cadmus,
Doch meine Saiten tönen 
but my strings bring forth 
Nur Liebe im Erklingen.
only sounds of love.

Ich tauschte um die Saiten, 
I have changed the strings,
Die Leier möcht ich tauschen! 
I should like to change the lyre! 
Alcidens Siegesschreiten
Alcides’ victorious march 
Sollt ihrer Macht entrauschen!
should ring out from its might!

Doch auch die Saiten tönen 
But these strings, too,
Nur Liebe im Erklingen!
bring forth only sounds of love! 
So lebt denn wohl, Heroen! 
Farewell, then, heroes!
Denn meine Saiten tönen
For my strings,
Statt Heldensang zu drohen, 
instead of threatening with heroic songs, 
Nur Liebe im Erklingen.
bring forth only sounds of love.

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

Franz von Bruchmann

Franz Joseph von Bruchmann was the son of Johann Christian Maria von Bruchmann, director of the Vienna National Bank, one of the richest men in Vienna and  patron of Franz Schubert and the artist Leopold Kupelwieser.  In his Vienna home Johann…

Help us with a Donation

Enjoying our texts and translations? Help us continue to offer this service to all.

Make a Donation

Select Tickets