Songs

Der Flug der Zeit

by Franz Schubert

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Text & Translation

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Der Flug der Zeit
German source: Ludwig von Széchényi

Es floh die Zeit im Wirbelfluge
Und trug des Lebens Plan mit sich.
Wohl stürmisch war es auf dem Zuge,
Beschwerlich oft und widerlich.

So ging es fort durch alle Zonen,
Durch Kinderjahre, durch Jugendglück,
Durch Täler, wo die Freuden wohnen,
Die sinnend sucht der Sehnsucht Blick.

Bis an der Freundschaft lichten
Hügel Die Zeit nun sanfter, stiller flog,
Und endlich da die raschen Flügel
In süsser Ruh’ zusammenbog.

The flight of time
English translation © Richard Wigmore

Time flew past like a whirlwind,
and bore with it the plan of life.
It was stormy on the journey;
often arduous and unpleasant.

Thus it went through each age,
through childhood years and youthful happiness;
through valleys wherein joys dwell,
sought by longing’s reflective gaze.

Until, flying more gently and calmly,
time came to the shining hill of friendship,
Aand there at last folded its fleet wings
in sweet repose.

Translations by Richard Wigmore first published by Gollancz and reprinted in the Hyperion Schubert Song Edition

Der Flug der Zeit
German source: Ludwig von Széchényi

The flight of time
English source: Richard Wigmore

Es floh die Zeit im Wirbelfluge
Time flew past like a whirlwind,
Und trug des Lebens Plan mit sich.
and bore with it the plan of life.
Wohl stürmisch war es auf dem Zuge,
It was stormy on the journey;
Beschwerlich oft und widerlich.
often arduous and unpleasant.

So ging es fort durch alle Zonen,
Thus it went through each age,
Durch Kinderjahre, durch Jugendglück,
through childhood years and youthful happiness;
Durch Täler, wo die Freuden wohnen,
through valleys wherein joys dwell,
Die sinnend sucht der Sehnsucht Blick.
sought by longing’s reflective gaze.

Bis an der Freundschaft lichten
Until, flying more gently and calmly,
Hügel Die Zeit nun sanfter, stiller flog,
time came to the shining hill of friendship,
Und endlich da die raschen Flügel
Aand there at last folded its fleet wings
In süsser Ruh’ zusammenbog.
in sweet repose.

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…

Performances

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