Songs

Lied eines Schiffers an die Dioskuren

by Franz Schubert

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Text & Translation

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Lied eines Schiffers an die Dioskuren
German source: Johann Mayrhofer

Dioskuren, Zwillingssterne,
Die ihr leuchtet meinem Nachen,
Mich beruhigt auf dem Meere
Eure Milde, euer Wachen.

Wer auch fest in sich begründet,
Unverzagt dem Sturm begegnet,
Fühlt sich doch in euren Strahlen
Doppelt mutig und gesegnet.

Dieses Ruder, das ich schwinge,
Meeresfluten zu zerteilen,
Hänge ich, so ich geborgen,
Auf an eures Tempels Säulen.

Boatman's song to the Dioscuri
English translation © Richard Wigmore

Dioscuri, twin stars,
shining on my boat,
your gentleness and vigilance
comfort me on the ocean.

However firmly a man believes in himself,
however fearlessly he meets the storm,
he feels doubly valiant and blessed
in your light.

This oar which I ply
to cleave the ocean’s waves,
I shall hang, once I have landed safely,
on the pillars of your temple.

Translation by Richard Wigmore

Lied eines Schiffers an die Dioskuren
German source: Johann Mayrhofer

Boatman's song to the Dioscuri
English source: Richard Wigmore

Dioskuren, Zwillingssterne,
Dioscuri, twin stars,
Die ihr leuchtet meinem Nachen,
shining on my boat,
Mich beruhigt auf dem Meere
your gentleness and vigilance
Eure Milde, euer Wachen.
comfort me on the ocean.

Wer auch fest in sich begründet,
However firmly a man believes in himself,
Unverzagt dem Sturm begegnet,
however fearlessly he meets the storm,
Fühlt sich doch in euren Strahlen
he feels doubly valiant and blessed
Doppelt mutig und gesegnet.
in your light.

Dieses Ruder, das ich schwinge,
This oar which I ply
Meeresfluten zu zerteilen,
to cleave the ocean’s waves,
Hänge ich, so ich geborgen,
I shall hang, once I have landed safely,
Auf an eures Tempels Säulen.
on the pillars of your temple.

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…

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