Songs

Liebesbotschaft

by Franz Schubert From Schwanengesang (1828) D957

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Text & Translation

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Liebesbotschaft
German source: Rellstab, Ludwig

Rauschendes Bächlein, so silbern und hell,
Eilst zur Geliebten so munter und schnell?
Ach, trautes Bächlein, mein Bote sei du;
Bringe die Grüsse des Fernen ihr zu.

All’ ihre Blumen im Garten gepflegt,
Die sie so lieblich am Busen trägt,
Und ihre Rosen in purpurner Glut,
Bächlein, erquicke mit kühlender Flut.

Wenn sie am Ufer, in Träume versenkt,
Meiner gedenkend, das Köpfchen hängt;
Tröste die Süsse mit freundlichem Blick,
Denn der Geliebte kehrt bald zurück.

Neigt sich die Sonne mit rötlichem Schein,
Wiege das Liebchen in Schlummer ein.
Rausche sie murmelnd in süsse Ruh,
Flüstre ihr Träume der Liebe zu.

Love's message
English translation © Richard Wigmore

Murmuring brook, so silver and bright,
do you hasten, so lively and swift, to my beloved?
Ah, sweet brook, be my messenger.
Bring her greetings from her distant lover.

All the flowers, tended in her garden,
which she wears so charmingly on her breast,
and her roses with their crimson glow:
refresh them, brooklet, with your cooling waters.

When on your banks she inclines her head
lost in dreams, thinking of me,
comfort my sweetheart with a kindly glance,
for her beloved will soon return.

When the sun sinks in a red flush,
lull my sweetheart to sleep.
With soft murmurings bring her sweet repose,
and whisper dreams of love.

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

Liebesbotschaft
German source: Rellstab, Ludwig

Love's message
English source: Richard Wigmore

Rauschendes Bächlein, so silbern und hell,
Murmuring brook, so silver and bright,
Eilst zur Geliebten so munter und schnell?
do you hasten, so lively and swift, to my beloved?
Ach, trautes Bächlein, mein Bote sei du;
Ah, sweet brook, be my messenger.
Bringe die Grüsse des Fernen ihr zu.
Bring her greetings from her distant lover.

All’ ihre Blumen im Garten gepflegt,
All the flowers, tended in her garden,
Die sie so lieblich am Busen trägt,
which she wears so charmingly on her breast,
Und ihre Rosen in purpurner Glut,
and her roses with their crimson glow:
Bächlein, erquicke mit kühlender Flut.
refresh them, brooklet, with your cooling waters.

Wenn sie am Ufer, in Träume versenkt,
When on your banks she inclines her head
Meiner gedenkend, das Köpfchen hängt;
lost in dreams, thinking of me,
Tröste die Süsse mit freundlichem Blick,
comfort my sweetheart with a kindly glance,
Denn der Geliebte kehrt bald zurück.
for her beloved will soon return.

Neigt sich die Sonne mit rötlichem Schein,
When the sun sinks in a red flush,
Wiege das Liebchen in Schlummer ein.
lull my sweetheart to sleep.
Rausche sie murmelnd in süsse Ruh,
With soft murmurings bring her sweet repose,
Flüstre ihr Träume der Liebe zu.
and whisper dreams of love.

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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