Songs

Im Abendrot

by Franz Schubert

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Text & Translation

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Im Abendrot
German source: Karl Lappe

O wie schön ist deine Welt,
Vater, wenn sie golden strahlet!
Wenn dein Glanz herniederfällt,
Und den Staub mit Schimmer malet;
Wenn das Rot, das in der Wolke blinkt,
In mein stilles Fenster sinkt!

Könnt’ ich klagen, könnt’ ich zagen?
Irre sein an dir und mir?
Nein, ich will im Busen tragen
Deinen Himmel schon allhier.
Und dies Herz, eh’ es zusammenbricht,
Trinkt noch Glut und schlürft noch Licht.

In the glow of the evening
English translation © Richard Wigmore

How lovely is your world,
Father, in its golden radiance
when your glory descends
and paints the dust with glitter;
when the red light that shines from the clouds
falls silently upon my window.

Could I complain? Could I be apprehensive?
Could I lose faith in you and in myself?
No, I already bear your heaven
here within my heart.
And this heart, before it breaks,
still drinks in the fire and savours the light.

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

Im Abendrot
German source: Karl Lappe

In the glow of the evening
English source: Richard Wigmore

O wie schön ist deine Welt,
How lovely is your world,
Vater, wenn sie golden strahlet!
Father, in its golden radiance
Wenn dein Glanz herniederfällt,
when your glory descends
Und den Staub mit Schimmer malet;
and paints the dust with glitter;
Wenn das Rot, das in der Wolke blinkt,
when the red light that shines from the clouds
In mein stilles Fenster sinkt!
falls silently upon my window.

Könnt’ ich klagen, könnt’ ich zagen?
Could I complain? Could I be apprehensive?
Irre sein an dir und mir?
Could I lose faith in you and in myself?
Nein, ich will im Busen tragen
No, I already bear your heaven
Deinen Himmel schon allhier.
here within my heart.
Und dies Herz, eh’ es zusammenbricht,
And this heart, before it breaks,
Trinkt noch Glut und schlürft noch Licht.
still drinks in the fire and savours the light.

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

Karl Lappe

Karl Lappe was the youngest son of the pastor of Wusterhusen. After the early death of his father he attended the city school in Wolgast from 1780.. From 1790 he studied  theology, philosophy and philology at the University of Greifswald. After…

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