Attention! Some of this material is not in the public domain.
It is illegal to copy and distribute our copyright-protected material without permission. It is also illegal to reprint copyright texts or translations without the name of the author or translator.
To inquire about permissions and rates, contact Emily Ezust at licenses@email.lieder.example.net
If you wish to reprint translations, please make sure you include the names of the translators in your email. They are below each translation.
Note: You must use the copyright symbol © when you reprint copyright-protected material.
Ich will spiegeln mich in jenen Tagen, Die wie Lindewipfelwehn entflohn, Wo die Silbersaite, angeschlagen, Klar, doch bebend gab den ersten Ton, Der mein Leben lang, Erst heut noch, widerklang, Ob die Saite längst zerrissen schon; Wo ich ohne Tugend, ohne Sünde, Blank wie Schnee vor dieser Sonne lag, Wo dem Kindesauge noch die Binde Lind verbarg den blendend hellen Tag: Du entschwundene Welt Klingst über Wald und Feld Hinter mir wie ferner Wachtelschlag. Wie so fabelhaft ist hingegangen Jener Zeit bescheidne Frühlingspracht, Wo, von Mutterliebe noch umfangen, Schon die Jugendliebe leis erwacht Wie, von Sonnenschein Durchspielt, ein Edelstein, Den ein Glücklicher ans Licht gebracht. Wenn ich scheidend einst muß überspringen Jene Kluft, die keine Brücke trägt, Wird mir nicht ein Lied entgegenklingen, Das bekannt und ahnend mich erregt? O die Welt ist weit! Ob nicht die Jugendzeit Irgendwo noch an das Herz mir schlägt? Träumerei! was sollten jene hoffen, Die nie sahn der Jugend Lieblichkeit, Die ein unnatürlich Los getroffen, Frucht zu bringen ohne Blütenzeit! Ach, was man nicht kennt, Danach das Herz nicht brennt Und bleibt kalt dafür in Ewigkeit! In den Waldeskronen meines Lebens Atme fort, du kühles Morgenwehn! Heiter leuchte, Frühstern guten Strebens, Laß mich treu in deinem Scheine gehn! Rankend Immergrün Soll meinen Stab umblühn, Nur noch einmal will ich rückwärts sehn!
About the headline (FAQ)
Authorship:
- by Gottfried Keller (1819 - 1890) [author's text not yet checked against a primary source]
Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive):
- by Wilhelm Baumgartner (1820 - 1867), "Rückblick", op. 19 no. 1 (1846) [ voice and piano ] [sung text not yet checked]
- by Hermann Reutter (1900 - 1985), "Jugendgedenken", op. 59 (Neun Lieder und Gesänge nach Gedichten von Gottfried Keller) no. 1 (1944) [sung text not yet checked]
- by Othmar Schoeck (1886 - 1957), "Jugendgedenken", op. 24b no. 10 (1906-15), from Lieder nach Gedichten von Spitteler, Gamper, Hesse und Keller, no. 10 [sung text checked 1 time]
Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- ENG English (Emily Ezust) , "Thoughts of youth", copyright ©
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 42
Word count: 217
I will reflect on those days, which, like the waving tops of the linden trees, have flown away, when the silver string that was strummed produced a clear yet trembling first note; my entire life long, it has echoed even until this day, although the string has long since snapped. When I, with neither virtue nor sin, lay bright as snow before this sun, when my child's eyes remained tenderly closed against the brilliance of day: You, vanished world, resounded over wood and field behind me, like the call of distant quails. How fabulously has that time departed with its shy spring splendor, when, still enfolded by mother-love, youthful love was gently awakening like a precious stone, shining with sunlight, brought by a happy man into the light. When I must depart and leap across that gulf that has no bridge, will a song not resound, familiar and portentous, to stir me? O the world is wide! Will not that time of youth somewhere still throb against my heart? Dreams! what should they hope for, those who never saw the charm of youth, who met with unnatural sorrow to bear fruit without a time to bloom! Alas, what one does not know, shall never pull hotly at the heart and it will remain cold forever. In the forest treetops of my life, breathe forth, you cool morning breezes! Shine happily, morning star of good striving, let me walk faithfully in your light! Climbing evergreen shall bloom about my walking-stick, and just once more shall I look back!
Authorship:
- Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © by Emily Ezust
Emily Ezust permits her translations to be reproduced without prior permission for printed (not online) programs to free-admission concerts only, provided the following credit is given:
Translation copyright © by Emily Ezust,
from the LiederNet Archive -- https://www.lieder.net/For any other purpose, please write to the e-mail address below to request permission and discuss possible fees.
licenses@email.lieder.example.net
Based on:
- a text in German (Deutsch) by Gottfried Keller (1819 - 1890)
This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 42
Word count: 257