Songs
Lied Lynceus des Türmers
by Robert Schumann From Lieder-Album für die Jugend (1849) Op. 79 21.iv–13.v.1849
Lied Lynceus des Türmers
German source:
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Zum Schauen bestellt,
Dem Turme geschworen
Gefällt mir die Welt.
Ich blick’ in die Ferne,
Ich seh’ in der Näh’
Den Mond und die Sterne,
Den Wald und das Reh.
So seh’ ich in allen
Die ewige Zier,
Und wie mir’s gefallen,
Gefall’ ich auch mir.
Ihr glücklichen Augen,
Was je ihr gesehn,
Es sei, was es wolle,
Es war doch so schön!
Song of Lynceus the Watchman
English translation ©
Richard Stokes
Employed to watch,
Sworn to the tower,
I delight in the world.
I see what is far,
I see what is near,
The moon and the stars,
The wood and the deer.
In all these I see
Eternal beauty,
And as it has pleased me,
I’m content with myself.
O happy eyes,
Whatever you have seen,
Let it be as it may,
How fair it has been!
Translations by Richard Stokes, author of The Book of Lieder (Faber, 2005)
Lied Lynceus des Türmers
German source:
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Song of Lynceus the Watchman
English source:
Richard Stokes
Zum Sehen geboren,
I am born for seeing,
Zum Schauen bestellt,
Employed to watch,
Dem Turme geschworen
Sworn to the tower,
Gefällt mir die Welt.
I delight in the world.
Ich blick’ in die Ferne,
I see what is far,
Ich seh’ in der Näh’
I see what is near,
Den Mond und die Sterne,
The moon and the stars,
Den Wald und das Reh.
The wood and the deer.
So seh’ ich in allen
In all these I see
Die ewige Zier,
Eternal beauty,
Und wie mir’s gefallen,
And as it has pleased me,
Gefall’ ich auch mir.
I’m content with myself.
Ihr glücklichen Augen,
O happy eyes,
Was je ihr gesehn,
Whatever you have seen,
Es sei, was es wolle,
Let it be as it may,
Es war doch so schön!
How fair it has been!
Composer
Robert Schumann
Robert Schumann was a German composer and influential music critic. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest composers of the Romantic era. Schumann left the study of law, intending to pursue a career as a virtuoso pianist. He had been assured…
Poet
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Johann Wolfgang Goethe was a German writer and statesman. His body of work includes epic and lyric poetry written in a variety of metres and styles; prose and verse dramas; memoirs; an autobiography; literary and aesthetic criticism; treatises on…
Performances
Previously performed at:
- Mastercourse Day Three 26 Oct 2016
- Scenes From Childhood: Mhairi Lawson, Stephan Loges & Eugene Asti 17 Oct 2016