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Translation
Ossian's Song after the Death of Nathos
English translation ©
Macpherson, James ("Ossian")
Bend forward from your clouds, ghosts of my
fathers! Lay the red terror of your course.
Receive the falling chief; whether he comes
from a distant land or rises from
the rolling sea. Let his robe of mist be near;
his spear that is formed of a cloud. Place an half-
extinguished meteor by his side in the form
of the hero’s sword. And oh! let his countenance be
lovely, that his friends may delight in
his presence. Bend from your clouds,’ I said.
‘Ghosts of my fathers! Bend!’
fathers! Lay the red terror of your course.
Receive the falling chief; whether he comes
from a distant land or rises from
the rolling sea. Let his robe of mist be near;
his spear that is formed of a cloud. Place an half-
extinguished meteor by his side in the form
of the hero’s sword. And oh! let his countenance be
lovely, that his friends may delight in
his presence. Bend from your clouds,’ I said.
‘Ghosts of my fathers! Bend!’
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…