Songs

Der Tod

by Anton von Webern From 8 Frühe Lieder (1901) 1901-1904

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Text & Translation

Der Tod
German source: Matthias Claudius

Ach, es ist so dunkel in des Todes Kammer,
Tönt so traurig, wenn er sich bewegt
Und nun aufhebt seinen schweren Hammer
Und die Stunde schlägt.

Death
English translation © Richard Stokes

Ah, it is so dark in death’s chamber,
It sounds so mournful when he stirs
And then lifts up his heavy hammer
And strikes the hour.

Translations by Richard Stokes, author of The Book of Lieder (Faber, 2005)

Der Tod
German source: Matthias Claudius

Death
English source: Richard Stokes

Ach, es ist so dunkel in des Todes Kammer,
Ah, it is so dark in death’s chamber,
Tönt so traurig, wenn er sich bewegt
It sounds so mournful when he stirs
Und nun aufhebt seinen schweren Hammer
And then lifts up his heavy hammer
Und die Stunde schlägt.
And strikes the hour.

Composer

Anton von Webern

Anton Friedrich Wilhelm Webern was an Austrian composer and conductor.

Poet

Matthias Claudius

Matthias Claudius was a German poet, most notable for Der Mond ist aufgegangen (The Moon Has Risen) and editor of the journal Der Wandsbecker Bothe.  After studying at Jena, Claudius held a series of editorial and minor official positions in…

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