Die Meerfee
German source:
Julius Buddeus
Aus der Luft vom Meer;
Leise Mädchenstimmen singen
Fröhlich rings umher;
Und auf leichtem Perlenwagen
Fährt die Fee vorbei,
Von der lauen Luft getragen,
Wallt die Melodei.
Lichte Funken rings umglühten
Sie im heitern Spiel,
Düfte, wie von Rosenblüten,
Wehn vom Mast zum Kiel;
Und der Knabe sieht es träumend
An des Schiffes Bord,
Doch die Wellen tragen schäumend
Die Erscheinung fort.
The sea fairy
English translation ©
Eric Sams
Comes ringing through the air from the sea;
Girls’ voices
Sing softly around.
In her frail coach of pearl
The fairy rides by,
As the melody rises and falls,
Borne along by the sea breeze.
Bright sparks burn around her
In a gay dance;
A fragrance like roses
Is wafted down from mast to keel.
The boy on board sees it
All as if in a dream;
But then the foaming waves
Carry the apparition away.
Translation by Eric Sams
Die Meerfee
German source:
Julius Buddeus
The sea fairy
English source:
Eric Sams
Helle Silberglöckchen klingen
The bright sound of silver bells
Aus der Luft vom Meer;
Comes ringing through the air from the sea;
Leise Mädchenstimmen singen
Girls’ voices
Fröhlich rings umher;
Sing softly around.
Und auf leichtem Perlenwagen
In her frail coach of pearl
Fährt die Fee vorbei,
The fairy rides by,
Von der lauen Luft getragen,
As the melody rises and falls,
Wallt die Melodei.
Borne along by the sea breeze.
Lichte Funken rings umglühten
Bright sparks burn around her
Sie im heitern Spiel,
In a gay dance;
Düfte, wie von Rosenblüten,
A fragrance like roses
Wehn vom Mast zum Kiel;
Is wafted down from mast to keel.
Und der Knabe sieht es träumend
The boy on board sees it
An des Schiffes Bord,
All as if in a dream;
Doch die Wellen tragen schäumend
But then the foaming waves
Die Erscheinung fort.
Carry the apparition away.
Composer
Robert Schumann
Robert Schumann was a German composer and influential music critic. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest composers of the Romantic era. Schumann left the study of law, intending to pursue a career as a virtuoso pianist. He had been assured…
Poet
Julius Buddeus
Julius Buddeus was a German book- and art- dealer and poet.