Text & Translation
Der Gondelfahrer
German source:
Johann Mayrhofer
Den flücht’gen Geisterreih’n:
Wer wird von Erdensorgen
Befangen immer sein!
Du kannst in Mondesstrahlen
Nun, meine Barke, wallen;
Und aller Schranken los,
Wiegt dich des Meeres Schooss.
Vom Markusturme tönte
Der Spruch der Mitternacht:
Sie schlummern friedlich Alle,
Und nur der Schiffer wacht.
The gondolier
English translation ©
Richard Wigmore
the fleeting round of the spirits:
who would be forever fettered
by earthly cares!
Now, my boat, you can drift
in the moonlight;
free from all restraints
you are rocked on the bosom of the sea.
From the tower of St Mark’s
midnight’s decree tolled forth:
all sleep peacefully.
Only the boatman wakes.
Translations by Richard Wigmore first published by Gollancz and reprinted in the Hyperion Schubert Song Edition
Der Gondelfahrer
German source:
Johann Mayrhofer
The gondolier
English source:
Richard Wigmore
Es tanzen Mond und Sterne
Moon and stars dance
Den flücht’gen Geisterreih’n:
the fleeting round of the spirits:
Wer wird von Erdensorgen
who would be forever fettered
Befangen immer sein!
by earthly cares!
Du kannst in Mondesstrahlen
Now, my boat, you can drift
Nun, meine Barke, wallen;
in the moonlight;
Und aller Schranken los,
free from all restraints
Wiegt dich des Meeres Schooss.
you are rocked on the bosom of the sea.
Vom Markusturme tönte
From the tower of St Mark’s
Der Spruch der Mitternacht:
midnight’s decree tolled forth:
Sie schlummern friedlich Alle,
all sleep peacefully.
Und nur der Schiffer wacht.
Only the boatman wakes.
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
Johann Mayrhofer
Johann Baptist Mayrhofer , was an Austrian poet and librettist. He is best known for his close friendship with the composer Franz Schubert. Mayrhofer was born in Steyr, educated and Novitiate in St. Florian's Priory Upper Austria. In 1810 he began…
Performances
Previously performed at:
- Schubert in 1824 19 Oct 2024
- A Schubertiade 18 Oct 2024
- Schubert Abroad: Schubert & Co. 23 Oct 2018
- A Schubertiade 11 Mar 2018