Songs

Vollendung

by Franz Schubert

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Text & Translation

Vollendung
German source: Matthison, Friedrich von

Wenn ich einst das Ziel errungen habe,
In den Lichtgefilden jener Welt,
Heil, der Träne dann an meinem Grabe
Die auf hingestreute Rosen fällt!

Sehnsuchtsvoll, mit banger Ahnungswonne,
Ruhig, wie der mondbeglänzte Hain,
Lächelnd, wie beim Niedergang die Sonne,
Harr’ ich, göttliche Vollendung, dein!

Eil’, o eile mich empor zu flügeln
Wo sich unter mir die Welten drehn,
Wo im Lebensquell sich Palmen spiegeln,
Wo die Liebenden sich wieder sehn.

Fulfilment
English translation © Richard Wigmore

When one day I reach my journey’s end
in the radiant fields of the world beyond,
then I shall hail the tears which fall on the roses 
scattered upon my grave.

Full of yearning, with anxious joy of anticipation, 
as calm as the moonlit grove,
smiling, as at the setting sun,
I shall await you, divine fulfilment!

Hasten, O hasten to wing me on high,
to where the spheres turn beneath me,
where palm trees are mirrored in the spring of life, 
where lovers are reunited.

Vollendung
German source: Matthison, Friedrich von

Fulfilment
English source: Richard Wigmore

Wenn ich einst das Ziel errungen habe,
When one day I reach my journey’s end
In den Lichtgefilden jener Welt,
in the radiant fields of the world beyond,
Heil, der Träne dann an meinem Grabe
then I shall hail the tears which fall on the roses 
Die auf hingestreute Rosen fällt!
scattered upon my grave.

Sehnsuchtsvoll, mit banger Ahnungswonne,
Full of yearning, with anxious joy of anticipation, 
Ruhig, wie der mondbeglänzte Hain,
as calm as the moonlit grove,
Lächelnd, wie beim Niedergang die Sonne,
smiling, as at the setting sun,
Harr’ ich, göttliche Vollendung, dein!
I shall await you, divine fulfilment!

Eil’, o eile mich empor zu flügeln
Hasten, O hasten to wing me on high,
Wo sich unter mir die Welten drehn,
to where the spheres turn beneath me,
Wo im Lebensquell sich Palmen spiegeln,
where palm trees are mirrored in the spring of life, 
Wo die Liebenden sich wieder sehn.
where lovers are reunited.

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

Matthison, Friedrich von

Friedrich von Matthisson was a German poet, an early member of the German Romantic movement. His best known poem is probably Adelaide, which was set to music by Beethoven. He was born at Hohendodeleben near Magdeburg, the son of the village pastor,…

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