Songs

Das Abendrot

by Franz Schubert

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Text & Translation

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Das Abendrot
German source: Schreiber, Aloys

Du heilig, glühend Abendrot!
Der Himmel will in Glanz zerrinnen; 
So scheiden Märtyrer von hinnen, 
Hold lächelnd in dem Liebestod.

Des Aufgangs Berge still und grau, 
Am Grab des Tags die hellen Gluten; 
Der Schwan auf purpurroten Fluten, 
Und jeder Halm im Silbertau!

O Sonne, Gottesstrahl, du bist
Nie herrlicher, als im Entfliehen! 
Du willst uns gern hinüberziehen, 
Wo deines Glanzes Urquell ist. 

The Sunset
English translation © Richard Wigmore

The evening blooms,
the west glows!
Fair light, whence your radiance?
From which star have you fallen?

How sublime
the dark sea looks!
The waves dance, drunk in the iridescence,
spraying sparks of fire with giddy delight.

The pale rose’s cheeks
bloom much fairer,
glow far warmer,
arousing fervent longing.

Veneration
and homage
are due to eternal beauty alone,
for beauty enhances grace and holiness.

Das Abendrot
German source: Schreiber, Aloys

The Sunset
English source: Richard Wigmore

Du heilig, glühend Abendrot!
The evening blooms,
Der Himmel will in Glanz zerrinnen; 
the west glows!
So scheiden Märtyrer von hinnen, 
Fair light, whence your radiance?
Hold lächelnd in dem Liebestod.
From which star have you fallen?

Des Aufgangs Berge still und grau, 
How sublime
Am Grab des Tags die hellen Gluten; 
the dark sea looks!
Der Schwan auf purpurroten Fluten, 
The waves dance, drunk in the iridescence,
Und jeder Halm im Silbertau!
spraying sparks of fire with giddy delight.

O Sonne, Gottesstrahl, du bist
The pale rose’s cheeks
Nie herrlicher, als im Entfliehen! 
bloom much fairer,
Du willst uns gern hinüberziehen, 
glow far warmer,
Wo deines Glanzes Urquell ist. 
arousing fervent longing.

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

Schreiber, Aloys

Aloys Wilhelm Schreiber was a German professor of aesthetics, court historian, author, playwright, and travel writer. He had seven children with his wife, Maria Anna Joubert, including mathematician Guido Schreiber.

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