Text & Translation
Nachtgesang
German source:
Kosegarten, Ludwig
Schauert um die Welt.
Braune Schleier
Hüllen Wald und Feld.
Trüb und matt und müde
Nickt jedes Leben ein,
Und namenloser Friede
Umsäuselt alles Sein!
Blaue Ferne,
Hoch über mich erhöht!
Heil’ge Sterne
In hehrer Majestät!
Sagt mir, ist es stiller,
Ihr Funkelnden, bei euch,
Als in der Eitelkeiten
Aufruhrvollem Reich?
Night Song
English translation ©
Todd E. Sullivan
descends on the world.
A brown veil
envelops wood and field.
Dim and dull and weary
this life slumbers,
and indescribable peace
rustles around all beings.
Blue distance,
rising high above me!
Holy stars
in sublime majesty!
Tell me, is it quieter
near you, you sparkling lights,
than in the rebellious realm
of vanity?
Nachtgesang
German source:
Kosegarten, Ludwig
Night Song
English source:
Todd E. Sullivan
Tiefe Feier
A profound solemnity
Schauert um die Welt.
descends on the world.
Braune Schleier
A brown veil
Hüllen Wald und Feld.
envelops wood and field.
Trüb und matt und müde
Dim and dull and weary
Nickt jedes Leben ein,
this life slumbers,
Und namenloser Friede
and indescribable peace
Umsäuselt alles Sein!
rustles around all beings.
Blaue Ferne,
Blue distance,
Hoch über mich erhöht!
rising high above me!
Heil’ge Sterne
Holy stars
In hehrer Majestät!
in sublime majesty!
Sagt mir, ist es stiller,
Tell me, is it quieter
Ihr Funkelnden, bei euch,
near you, you sparkling lights,
Als in der Eitelkeiten
than in the rebellious realm
Aufruhrvollem Reich?
of vanity?
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
Kosegarten, Ludwig
Ludwig Gotthard Kosegarten, also known as Ludwig Theobul or Ludwig Theoboul, was a German poet and Lutheran preacher. Kosegarten was born in Grevesmühlen, in the Duchy of Mecklenburg-Schwerin. After studying theology at the University of…