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It’s now easier than ever to see both the author's and the composer's versions of a text!

After more than a year in development, I'm thrilled to announce that we've finally implemented the ability to view "sung texts" with all the modifications by a given composer already applied. Over 10,000 pages will benefit from this improvement. It should especially benefit those of you who need accurate texts for concert programs and CD booklets.

I'm excited to share this new feature with all of you and hope that it enhances your experience on the LiederNet Archive. Take some time to explore and enjoy! — Emily

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Singable translation by Wilhelm Henzen (1850 - 1910)
Translation © by C. Ersel King

Ein Schwan
Language: German (Deutsch)  after the Norwegian (Bokmål) 
Our translations:  ENG
Mein Schwan, mein stiller,
Mit weissem Gefieder, 
Deine wonnigen Lieder
Verriet kein Triller.

Ängstlich sorgend
Des Elfen im Grunde, 
Glittst du horchend 
Allzeit in die Runde. 

Und doch bezwangst du 
Zuletzt mich beim Scheiden
Mit trügenden Eiden, 
Ja da, da sangst du!

Du schlossest singend 
Die irdische Bahn doch, 
Du starbst verklingend;
Du warst ein Schwan doch!

Text Authorship:

Based on:

Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive):

Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):

  • ENG English (C. Ersel King) , "The swan", copyright © 2008, (re)printed on this website with kind permission


Researcher for this page: C. Ersel King

This text was added to the website: 2008-10-14
Line count: 16
Word count: 57

The swan
Language: English  after the German (Deutsch) 
My swan, my silent one,
With white plumage,
Your delightful songs,
No trill betrayed.

Fearfully mindful of
The elves in the dell,
You glided, listening,
Always in circles.

And yet you forced
Our final parting
With false promises.
Yes, there, there you sang!

Singing, you closed
Your earthly course.
You died, faded away.
You were a swan nevertheless!

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2008 by C. Ersel King, (re)printed on this website with kind permission. To reprint and distribute this author's work for concert programs, CD booklets, etc., you must ask the copyright-holder(s) directly for permission. If you receive no response, you must consider it a refusal.

    C. Ersel King.  Contact: erselking (AT) watervalley (DOT) net

    If you wish to commission a new translation, please contact:

Based on:

Based on:

 

This text was added to the website: 2008-10-14
Line count: 16
Word count: 58