Auf dem See
German source:
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Saug’ ich aus freier Welt;
Wie ist Natur so hold und gut,
Die mich am Busen hält!
Die Welle wiegen unsern
Kahn Im Rudertakt hinauf,
Und Berge, wolkig himmelan,
Begegnen unserm Lauf.
Aug’, mein Aug’, was sinkst du nieder?
Goldne Träume, kommt ihr wieder?
Weg, du Traum! so gold du bist;
Hier auch Lieb’ und Leben ist.
Auf der Welle blinken
Tausend schwebende Sterne,
Weiche Nebel trinken
Rings die türmende Ferne;
Morgenwind umflügelt
Die beschattete Bucht,
Und im See bespiegelt
Sich die reifende Frucht.
On the lake
English translation ©
Richard Stokes
I suck from these open spaces;
How sweet and kindly Nature is,
Who holds me to her breast!
The waves cradle our boat
To the rhythm of the oars,
And mountains, soaring skywards in cloud,
Meet us in our path.
Why, my eyes, do you look down?
Golden dreams, will you return?
Away, O dream, however golden;
Here too is love and life.
Stars in their thousands
Drift and glitter on the waves,
Gentle mists drink in
The towering skyline;
Morning breezes flutter
Round the shaded bay,
And the ripening fruit
Is reflected in the lake.
Translations by Richard Stokes, author of The Book of Lieder (Faber, 2005)
Auf dem See
German source:
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
On the lake
English source:
Richard Stokes
Und frische Nahrung, neues Blut
And fresh nourishment, new blood
Saug’ ich aus freier Welt;
I suck from these open spaces;
Wie ist Natur so hold und gut,
How sweet and kindly Nature is,
Die mich am Busen hält!
Who holds me to her breast!
Die Welle wiegen unsern
Why, my eyes, do you look down?
Kahn Im Rudertakt hinauf,
Golden dreams, will you return?
Und Berge, wolkig himmelan,
Away, O dream, however golden;
Begegnen unserm Lauf.
Here too is love and life.
Aug’, mein Aug’, was sinkst du nieder?
Stars in their thousands
Goldne Träume, kommt ihr wieder?
Drift and glitter on the waves,
Weg, du Traum! so gold du bist;
Gentle mists drink in
Hier auch Lieb’ und Leben ist.
The towering skyline;
Auf der Welle blinken
Tausend schwebende Sterne,
Weiche Nebel trinken
Rings die türmende Ferne;
Morgenwind umflügelt
Die beschattete Bucht,
Und im See bespiegelt
Sich die reifende Frucht.
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 Wolfgang von Goethe
Johann Wolfgang Goethe was a German writer and statesman. His body of work includes epic and lyric poetry written in a variety of metres and styles; prose and verse dramas; memoirs; an autobiography; literary and aesthetic criticism; treatises on…
Performances
Previously performed at:
- Roderick Williams & Roger Vignoles 21 Apr 2024
- Schubert, Fauré and Quilter: Klemens Sander & Sholto Kynoch 31 Mar 2020
- 17. Alchemy, Magic and the Legend of Faust 14 Oct 2019
- Franz Schubert: Alessandro Fisher & Sholto Kynoch 23 Oct 2017
- Mastercourse Day Three 26 Oct 2016
- Schubert and Brahms: Birgid Steinberger & Julius Drake 18 Oct 2016