Songs

Lebensmut

by Franz Schubert

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Text & Translation

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Lebensmut
German source: Rellstab, Ludwig

Fröhlicher Lebensmut
Braust in dem raschen Blut;
Sprudelnd und silberhell
Rauschet der Lebensquell.
Doch eh’ die Stunde flieht,
Ehe der Geist verglüht,
Schöpft aus der klaren Flut
Fröhlichen Lebensmut!

Mutigen Sprung gewagt;
Nimmer gewinnt, wer zagt;
Schnell ist das Wechselglück,
Dein ist der Augenblick.
Wer keinen Sprung versucht,
Bricht keine süsse Frucht,
Auf! Wer das Glück erjagt,
Mutigen Sprung gewagt.

Courage for Living
English translation © Richard Wigmore

Joyful courage for living
surges in the quick blood;
the fountain of life flows
bubbling and silver-bright.
But before the hour flies,
before the spirit’s ardour fades,
draw joyful courage for living
from the clear waters.

Dare the bold leap;
he who hesitates never wins;
fortune changes rapidly;
the moment is yours.
He who does not venture the leap
will reap no sweet fruit.
Come! He who chases fortune
must dare the bold leap

Lebensmut
German source: Rellstab, Ludwig

Courage for Living
English source: Richard Wigmore

Fröhlicher Lebensmut
Joyful courage for living
Braust in dem raschen Blut;
surges in the quick blood;
Sprudelnd und silberhell
the fountain of life flows
Rauschet der Lebensquell.
bubbling and silver-bright.
Doch eh’ die Stunde flieht,
But before the hour flies,
Ehe der Geist verglüht,
before the spirit’s ardour fades,
Schöpft aus der klaren Flut
draw joyful courage for living
Fröhlichen Lebensmut!
from the clear waters.

Mutigen Sprung gewagt;
Dare the bold leap;
Nimmer gewinnt, wer zagt;
he who hesitates never wins;
Schnell ist das Wechselglück,
fortune changes rapidly;
Dein ist der Augenblick.
the moment is yours.
Wer keinen Sprung versucht,
He who does not venture the leap
Bricht keine süsse Frucht,
will reap no sweet fruit.
Auf! Wer das Glück erjagt,
Come! He who chases fortune
Mutigen Sprung gewagt.
must dare the bold leap

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

Rellstab, Ludwig

Heinrich Friedrich Ludwig Rellstab was a German poet and music critic. He was born and died in Berlin. He was the son of the music publisher and composer Johann Carl Friedrich Rellstab. An able pianist, he published articles in various periodicals,…

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