Songs

Irrlicht

by Franz Schubert From Winterreise (1827) D911

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Text & Translation

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Irrlicht
German source: Wilhelm Müller

In die tiefsten Felsengründe
Lockte mich ein Irrlicht hin:
Wie ich einen Ausgang finde
Liegt nicht schwer mir in dem Sinn.

Bin gewohnt das Irregehen,
’S führt ja jeder Weg zum Ziel: 
Unsre Freuden, unsre Leiden, 
Alles eines Irrlichts Spiel!

Durch des Bergstroms trockne Rinnen 
Wind’ ich ruhig mich hinab –
Jeder Strom wird’s Meer gewinnen, 
Jedes Leiden auch sein Grab.

Will-o'-the-wisp
English translation © Richard Wigmore

A will-o’-the-wisp enticed me
into the deepest rocky chasms; 
how I shall find a way out 
does not trouble my mind.

I am used to straying;
every path leads to one goal. 
Our joys, our sorrows –
all are a will-o’-the wisp’s game.

Down the dry gullies of the mountain stream 
I calmly wend my way;
every river will reach the sea;
every sorrow, too, will reach its grave.

Irrlicht
German source: Wilhelm Müller

Will-o'-the-wisp
English source: Richard Wigmore

In die tiefsten Felsengründe
A will-o’-the-wisp enticed me
Lockte mich ein Irrlicht hin:
into the deepest rocky chasms; 
Wie ich einen Ausgang finde
how I shall find a way out 
Liegt nicht schwer mir in dem Sinn.
does not trouble my mind.

Bin gewohnt das Irregehen,
I am used to straying;
’S führt ja jeder Weg zum Ziel: 
every path leads to one goal. 
Unsre Freuden, unsre Leiden, 
Our joys, our sorrows –
Alles eines Irrlichts Spiel!
all are a will-o’-the wisp’s game.

Durch des Bergstroms trockne Rinnen 
Down the dry gullies of the mountain stream 
Wind’ ich ruhig mich hinab –
I calmly wend my way;
Jeder Strom wird’s Meer gewinnen, 
every river will reach the sea;
Jedes Leiden auch sein Grab.
every sorrow, too, will reach its grave.

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

Wilhelm Müller

Johann Ludwig Wilhelm Müller was a German lyric poet. Wilhelm Müller was born on October 7, 1794 at Dessau, the son of a tailor. He was educated at the gymnasium of his native town and at the University of Berlin, where he devoted himself to…

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