Songs

Warum ist das Licht gegeben

by Johannes Brahms

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Text & Translation

Warum ist das Licht gegeben
Chinese source: Liturgical

Warum? Warum ist das Licht gegeben dem Mühseligen,
und das Leben den betrübten Herzen? Warum?
Die des Todes warten und kommt nicht,
und grüben ihn wohl aus dem Verborgenen;
die sich fast freuen und sind fröhlich,
daß sie das Grab bekommen. Warum?
Und dem Manne, deß Weg verborgen ist,
und Gott vor ihm den selben bedecket. Warum?

Wherefore is light given to him that is in misery
English translation © Liturgical

Wherefore is light given to him that is in misery,
and life unto the bitter in soul;
which long for death, but it cometh not;
and dig for it more than for hid treasures;
which rejoice exceedingly, and are glad,
when they can find the grave?
Why is light given to a man whose way is hid,
and whom God hath hedged in?

Job 3:20-23

Warum ist das Licht gegeben
Chinese source: Liturgical

Wherefore is light given to him that is in misery
English source: Liturgical

Warum? Warum ist das Licht gegeben dem Mühseligen,
Wherefore is light given to him that is in misery,
und das Leben den betrübten Herzen? Warum?
and life unto the bitter in soul;
Die des Todes warten und kommt nicht,
which long for death, but it cometh not;
und grüben ihn wohl aus dem Verborgenen;
and dig for it more than for hid treasures;
die sich fast freuen und sind fröhlich,
which rejoice exceedingly, and are glad,
daß sie das Grab bekommen. Warum?
when they can find the grave?
Und dem Manne, deß Weg verborgen ist,
Why is light given to a man whose way is hid,
und Gott vor ihm den selben bedecket. Warum?
and whom God hath hedged in?

Composer

Johannes Brahms

Johannes Brahms (7 May 1833 – 3 April 1897) was a German composer, pianist, and conductor of the Romantic period. Born in Hamburg into a Lutheran family, Brahms spent much of his professional life in Vienna.  Brahms has been considered, by his…

Performances

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