Text & Translation
Das Grab
German source:
Salis-Seewis, Freiherr von (Gaudenz, Johann)
Und schauderhaft sein Rand,
Es deckt mit schwarzer Hülle
Ein unbekanntes Land.
Verlassne Bräute ringen
Umsonst die Hände wund;
Der Waise Klagen dringen
Nicht in der Tiefe Grund.
Doch sonst an keinem Orte
Wohnt die ersehnte Ruh;
Nur durch die dunkle Pforte
Geht man der Heimat zu.
The Grave
English translation ©
Richard Wigmore
terrible its brink;
with its black shroud it covers
an unknown land.
In vain forsaken brides
wring their hands sore;
the orphan’s wailing does not reach
its lowest depths.
Yet in no other place
does the longed-for peace dwell;
only through those dark portals
do men return home.
Translations by Richard Wigmore first published by Gollancz and reprinted in the Hyperion Schubert Song Edition
Das Grab
German source:
Salis-Seewis, Freiherr von (Gaudenz, Johann)
The Grave
English source:
Richard Wigmore
Das Grab ist tief und stille,
Deep and silent is the grave,
Und schauderhaft sein Rand,
terrible its brink;
Es deckt mit schwarzer Hülle
with its black shroud it covers
Ein unbekanntes Land.
an unknown land.
Verlassne Bräute ringen
In vain forsaken brides
Umsonst die Hände wund;
wring their hands sore;
Der Waise Klagen dringen
the orphan’s wailing does not reach
Nicht in der Tiefe Grund.
its lowest depths.
Doch sonst an keinem Orte
Yet in no other place
Wohnt die ersehnte Ruh;
does the longed-for peace dwell;
Nur durch die dunkle Pforte
only through those dark portals
Geht man der Heimat zu.
do men return home.
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
Salis-Seewis, Freiherr von (Gaudenz, Johann)
Johann Gaudenz Gubert Graf (& Freiherr) von Salis-Seewis was Swiss poet. Salis-Seewis came from an old Swiss aristocracy. His father, baron Johann Ulrich von Salis-Seewis (1740–1815), was created a (primogenitive) Comte (count) at Versailles on…