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The son of the king
Translations © by Sharon Krebs
Song Cycle by Robert Schumann (1810 - 1856)
View original-language texts alone: Der Königssohn
Der alte, graue König sitzt Auf seiner Väter Throne; Sein Mantel glänzt wie Abendrot, Wie sinkende [Sonn']1 die Krone. "Mein erster und mein zweiter Sohn! Euch teil ich meine Lande. Mein dritter Sohn, mein liebstes Kind! Was laß ich dir zum Pfande?" "Gib mir von allen Schätzen nur Die alte, [rostige]2 Krone! Gib mir drei Schiffe! so fahr ich hin Und suche nach einem Throne."
Authorship:
- by Johann Ludwig Uhland (1787 - 1862), no title, appears in Der Königssohn, no. 1
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Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- ENG English (Sharon Krebs) , copyright © 2015, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- FRE French (Français) (Pierre Mathé) , copyright © 2012, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
1 Schumann: "Sonne"
2 Schumann: "rost'ge"
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
The old, grey king sits Upon the throne of his fathers; His robe glows like a sunset, The crown like a sinking sun. "My firstborn and my second son! I divide my lands between you. My third son, my most beloved child! What shall I pledge to you?" "Give me of all your treasures only The old, rusty crown! Give me three ships and I shall fare forth And search for a throne."
Authorship:
- Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2015 by Sharon Krebs, (re)printed on this website with kind permission. To reprint and distribute this author's work for concert programs, CD booklets, etc., you may ask the copyright-holder(s) directly or ask us; we are authorized to grant permission on their behalf. Please provide the translator's name when contacting us.
Contact: licenses@email.lieder.example.net
Based on:
- a text in German (Deutsch) by Johann Ludwig Uhland (1787 - 1862), no title, appears in Der Königssohn, no. 1
Go to the single-text view
This text was added to the website: 2015-04-28
Line count: 12
Word count: 73
(The following is a multi-text setting.)
Der Jüngling steht auf dem Verdeck, Sieht seine Schiffe fahren, Die Sonne strahlt, es spielt die Luft Mit seinen goldnen Haaren. Das Ruder schallt, das Segel schwillt, Die bunten Wimpel fliegen, Meerfrauen mit Gesang und Spiel Sich um die Kiele wiegen. [Er spricht:]1 "Das ist mein Königreich, Das frei und lustig streifet, Das um die träge Erde her Auf blauen Fluten schweifet." Da ziehen finstre Wolken auf Mit Sturm und [mit]1 Gewitter. Die Blitze zucken aus der Nacht, Die Maste springen in Splitter. Und Wogen stürzen auf das Schiff, So wilde, Bergen gleiche; Verschlungen ist der Königssohn Sammt seinem lust'gen Reiche.
Authorship:
- by Johann Ludwig Uhland (1787 - 1862), no title, appears in Der Königssohn, no. 2
See other settings of this text.
Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- ENG English (Sharon Krebs) , copyright © 2015, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- FRE French (Français) (Pierre Mathé) , copyright © 2012, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
1 omitted by Schumann.
Researcher for this page: Malcolm Wren [Guest Editor]
Fischer: Versunken, wehe, Mast und Kiel! Der Schiffer Ruf verschollen! Doch sieh, wer schwimmet dort herbei, Um den die Wogen rollen? Er schlägt mit starkem Arm die Flut Und fürchtet die Wellen wenig, Trägt hoch das Haupt mit goldner Kron, Er dünkt mir wohl ein König. Jüngling: Ein Königssohn, mir aber ist Die Heimat längst verloren. Erst hat die schwache Mutter mich, Die irdische, geboren, Doch nun gebar die zweite Mutter, Das starke Meer, mich wieder. In Riesenarmen wiegte sie Mich selbst und meine Brüder. Die andern all ertrugen's nicht, Mich brachte sie hier zum Strande. Zum Reiche wohl erkor sie mir All diese weiten Lande.
Authorship:
- by Johann Ludwig Uhland (1787 - 1862), no title, appears in Der Königssohn, no. 3
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Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- ENG English (Sharon Krebs) , copyright © 2015, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- FRE French (Français) (Pierre Mathé) , copyright © 2012, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
The youth stands upon the deck, Sees his ships a-sailing, The sun gleams, the breezes play With his golden locks. The oars resound, the sail swells, The colourful pennants flutter, Singing and playing, mermaids Cavort about the keel. [He says:]1 That is my kingdom That freely and merrily ranges, That, encircling the lazy world, Roves upon the blue waters. Then dark clouds appear Bringing tempests and [bringing]1 thunderstorms. The lightning bolts streak from out the night, The masts burst into splinters. The waves dash themselves onto the ship, Such wild [waves], [waves] like mountains; The king's son is consumed With his whole merry kingdom.
Authorship:
- Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2015 by Sharon Krebs, (re)printed on this website with kind permission. To reprint and distribute this author's work for concert programs, CD booklets, etc., you may ask the copyright-holder(s) directly or ask us; we are authorized to grant permission on their behalf. Please provide the translator's name when contacting us.
Contact: licenses@email.lieder.example.net
Based on:
- a text in German (Deutsch) by Johann Ludwig Uhland (1787 - 1862), no title, appears in Der Königssohn, no. 2
Go to the single-text view
View original text (without footnotes)Translated titles:
"Der Königssohn" = "The son of the king"
"Der Jüngling steht auf dem Verdeck" = "The youth stands upon the deck"
1 omitted by Schumann.
Fisherman: Sunk, alas, mast and keel! The cries of the ship's crew have died away! But see, who is swimming toward us there, About whom the waves roll? With strong arms he parts the flood And has little fear of the waves, His head with a golden crown he carries high, It seems to me he is a king. Youth: A king's son, but I have long since Lost my homeland. First my weak mother, The earthly one, bore me. But now by a second mother, The powerful sea, I was born a second time. In giant arms she rocked Me and my brethren. The others all could not bear it, Me she brought here to the shore. It must mean that as a kingdom she has chosen For me all these wide lands.
Authorship:
- Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2015 by Sharon Krebs, (re)printed on this website with kind permission. To reprint and distribute this author's work for concert programs, CD booklets, etc., you may ask the copyright-holder(s) directly or ask us; we are authorized to grant permission on their behalf. Please provide the translator's name when contacting us.
Contact: licenses@email.lieder.example.net
Based on:
- a text in German (Deutsch) by Johann Ludwig Uhland (1787 - 1862), no title, appears in Der Königssohn, no. 3
Go to the single-text view
(The following is a multi-text setting.)
Fischer Was spähest du nach der Angel Von Morgen bist zur Nacht, Und hast mit aller Mühe doch Kein Fischlein aufgebracht? Jüngling Ich angle nicht nach Fischen, Ich sah in Meeresschacht, Wohl jeder Angel [allzu]1 tief, Viel königliche Pracht.
Authorship:
- by Johann Ludwig Uhland (1787 - 1862), no title, appears in Der Königssohn, no. 4
See other settings of this text.
Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- ENG English (Sharon Krebs) , "The fisherman", copyright © 2015, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- FRE French (Français) (Pierre Mathé) , copyright © 2012, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
1 Kreutzer: "je zu"
Researcher for this page: Malcolm Wren [Guest Editor]
Wie schreitet königlich der Leu! Schüttelt die Mähn in die Lüfte. Er ruft sein Machtgebot Durch Wälder und Klüfte. Doch werd ich ihn stürzen Mit dem Speer in starker Hand, Um die Schultern mir schürzen Sein Goldgewand. Der Aar, ein König, schwebet auf, Er rauschet in Wonne, Will langen sich zur Kron herab Die goldne Sonne. Doch in den Wolken hoch Soll ihn [fahen]1 und spießen Mein geflügelter Pfeil, Daß er mir sinke zu Füßen.
Authorship:
- by Johann Ludwig Uhland (1787 - 1862), no title, appears in Der Königssohn, no. 5
Go to the single-text view
Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- ENG English (Sharon Krebs) , no title, copyright © 2015, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- FRE French (Français) (Pierre Mathé) , copyright © 2012, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
1 Schumann: "fah'n"
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
Fisherman: Why do you gaze at your fishing rod From morning until night, And yet with all your effort You have not hauled out a single fish? Youth: I do not angle after fish, I saw in an ocean chasm, Likely too deep for any rod, Much royal splendour.
Authorship:
- Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2015 by Sharon Krebs, (re)printed on this website with kind permission. To reprint and distribute this author's work for concert programs, CD booklets, etc., you may ask the copyright-holder(s) directly or ask us; we are authorized to grant permission on their behalf. Please provide the translator's name when contacting us.
Contact: licenses@email.lieder.example.net
Based on:
- a text in German (Deutsch) by Johann Ludwig Uhland (1787 - 1862), no title, appears in Der Königssohn, no. 4
Go to the single-text view
How regally the lion strides! [He] shakes his mane in the breezes. He sends his mighty command Through forests and rocky crags. Yet I shall fell him With the spear in my strong hand, And shall garb my shoulders With his golden mantle. The eagle, a king, rises aloft, He rushes [through the air] in bliss, He desires to reach and bring down The golden sun as a crown for himself. But high up in the clouds He shall be caught and speared By my winged arrow, So that he sinks at my feet.
Authorship:
- Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2015 by Sharon Krebs, (re)printed on this website with kind permission. To reprint and distribute this author's work for concert programs, CD booklets, etc., you may ask the copyright-holder(s) directly or ask us; we are authorized to grant permission on their behalf. Please provide the translator's name when contacting us.
Contact: licenses@email.lieder.example.net
Based on:
- a text in German (Deutsch) by Johann Ludwig Uhland (1787 - 1862), no title, appears in Der Königssohn, no. 5
Go to the single-text view
Im Walde läuft ein wildes Pferd, Hat nie den Zaum gelitten, Goldfalb, mit langer, dichter Mähn, Schlägt Funken bei allen Tritten. Der Königssohn, er fängt es ein, Hat sich darauf geschwungen, Es bläht die Brust und schwingt den Schweif, Kommt wiehernd hergesprungen. Und alle horchen staunend auf, Die in den Tälern hausen. Sie hören's vom Gebirge her Wie Sturm und Donner brausen. Da sprengt herab der Königssohn, Umwallt vom Fell des Leuen, Des wilden Rosses Mähne fleugt, Die Hufe Feuer streuen. Da drängt sich alles Volk herzu Mit Jubel und Gesange: "Heil uns! er ist's, der König ist's, Den wir erharrt so lange!"
Authorship:
- by Johann Ludwig Uhland (1787 - 1862), no title, appears in Der Königssohn, no. 6
Go to the single-text view
Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- ENG English (Sharon Krebs) , copyright © 2015, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- FRE French (Français) (Pierre Mathé) , copyright © 2012, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
A wild horse runs in the wood, It has never suffered a bridle; Dun-gold, with a long, thick mane, Sparks fly with its every step. The king's son, he catches it, Has swung himself onto its back; It puffs out its chest and swings its tail, Comes leaping up with a whinny. And everyone listens astounded, [Everyone] who lives in the valleys. From the mountains they hear it Roaring like storm and thunder. The king's son comes charging down, The lion's pelt flowing about him; The wild horse's mane flies, Its hooves scatter flames. The entire populace surges around With cheering and singing: "It is well for us! It is he, it is the king For whom we have waited so long!"
Authorship:
- Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2015 by Sharon Krebs, (re)printed on this website with kind permission. To reprint and distribute this author's work for concert programs, CD booklets, etc., you may ask the copyright-holder(s) directly or ask us; we are authorized to grant permission on their behalf. Please provide the translator's name when contacting us.
Contact: licenses@email.lieder.example.net
Based on:
- a text in German (Deutsch) by Johann Ludwig Uhland (1787 - 1862), no title, appears in Der Königssohn, no. 6
Go to the single-text view
This text was added to the website: 2015-06-09
Line count: 20
Word count: 122
Es steht ein hoher, schroffer Fels, Darum die Adler fliegen, Doch wagt sich keiner drauf herab, Den Drachen [sehen]1 sie liegen. In alten Mauern liegt er dort Mit seinem goldnen Kamme, Er rasselt mit der Schuppenhaut, Er hauchet Dampf und Flamme. Der Jüngling, ohne Schwert und Schild, Ist keck hinaufgedrungen, Die Arme wirft er um die Schlang Und hält sie fest umrungen. Er küßt sie dreimal in den Schlund, Da muß der Zauber weichen, Er hält im Arm ein holdes Weib, Das schönst' in allen Reichen. Die herrliche, gekrönte Braut Hat er am Herzen liegen, Und aus den alten Trümmern ist Ein Königsschloß gestiegen.
Authorship:
- by Johann Ludwig Uhland (1787 - 1862), no title, appears in Der Königssohn, no. 7
See other settings of this text.
Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- ENG English (Sharon Krebs) , "The king's son", copyright © 2015, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- FRE French (Français) (Pierre Mathé) , copyright © 2012, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
1 Schumann: "seh'n"
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
There stands a tall, craggy cliff About which the eagles fly, Yet no eagle dares to descend upon it; They see the dragon lying there. In the old stone walls he lies With his golden comb; He rattles his scaly skin, He breathes out steam and flames. The youth, without a sword or shield, Has boldly made his way up there. He throws his arms about the snake And holds it tightly encircled. Three times he kisses its cavernous maw. The enchantment broken, In his arms he holds a lovely woman, The most beautiful in all realms. The glorious, crowned bride Is lying upon his heart, And from the ancient ruins Has risen a royal palace.
Authorship:
- Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2015 by Sharon Krebs, (re)printed on this website with kind permission. To reprint and distribute this author's work for concert programs, CD booklets, etc., you may ask the copyright-holder(s) directly or ask us; we are authorized to grant permission on their behalf. Please provide the translator's name when contacting us.
Contact: licenses@email.lieder.example.net
Based on:
- a text in German (Deutsch) by Johann Ludwig Uhland (1787 - 1862), no title, appears in Der Königssohn, no. 7
Go to the single-text view
This text was added to the website: 2015-06-09
Line count: 20
Word count: 116
Der König und die Königin, Sie stehen auf dem Throne, Da glüht der Thron wie Morgenrot, Wie steigende Sonn die Krone. Viel stolze Ritter stehn umher, Die Schwerter in den Händen, Sie können ihre Augen nicht Vom lichten Throne wenden. Ein alter, blinder Sänger steht, An seiner Harf gelehnet, Er fühlet, daß die Zeit erschien, Die er so lang ersehnet. Und plötzlich springt vom hohen Glanz Der Augen finstre Hülle. Er schaut hinauf und wird nicht satt Der Herrlichkeit und Fülle. [Er greifet in sein Saitenspiel, Das ist gar hell erklungen, Er hat in Licht und Seligkeit Sein Schwanenlied gesungen.]1
Authorship:
- by Johann Ludwig Uhland (1787 - 1862), no title, appears in Der Königssohn, no. 8
See other settings of this text.
Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- ENG English (Sharon Krebs) , copyright © 2015, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- FRE French (Français) (Pierre Mathé) , copyright © 2012, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
1 Schumann replaces the last stanza with
Welch' Wunder enthüllt dem Auge sich, welch' gleichenloses Wunder! Im Dunkel war das Aug' gehüllt, die Sonne leuchtet wieder; Euch bring' ich, Hohe, wonn' erfüllt, den Dank der ersten Lieder! Geblendet von der neuen Pracht, wo berg' ich meine Blicke! Schliesst, Augen, euch, dass nicht die Nacht von Neuem euch umstricke. Nun das Auge geschaut die höchste Pracht, nun sing' ich mein letztes, mein schönstes Lied: Gepriesen sei der Königssohn, der selbst sich erkämpft den Herrscherthron; gepriesen sei sein hold Gemahl, das er kühn befreit aus Zaubers Qual. Und gepriesen auch, was aus ihrem Bund blühet empor, gepriesen, gepriesen sei das ganze Königshaus! Heil dem Herrscherpaar, gepriesen sei das Herrscherpaar!
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
The king and the queen, They stand upon the throne, Thereupon the throne flames like the glow of morning, The crown glows like the rising sun. Many proud knights stand around them, Swords in their hands; They cannot take their eyes off The bright throne. An old, blind minstrel stands Leaning on his harp, He perceives that the time for which he Yearned for so long has come. And suddenly from the great radiance The dark covering of his eyes is rent. He looks upward and cannot get enough Of the glory and abundance. [He begins to pluck the strings of his harp, Which rang out brightly, In light and bliss he sang His swan song.] 1
Authorship:
- Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2015 by Sharon Krebs, (re)printed on this website with kind permission. To reprint and distribute this author's work for concert programs, CD booklets, etc., you may ask the copyright-holder(s) directly or ask us; we are authorized to grant permission on their behalf. Please provide the translator's name when contacting us.
Contact: licenses@email.lieder.example.net
Based on:
- a text in German (Deutsch) by Johann Ludwig Uhland (1787 - 1862), no title, appears in Der Königssohn, no. 8
Go to the single-text view
View original text (without footnotes)Translation of title "Ballade aus dem "Königssohn"" = "Ballad from "The king's son"
1 Schumann replaces the last stanza with
What a marvel is revealed to the eyes, What an unparalleled marvel! The eyes had been shrouded in darkness, Now the sun shines again; To you, lofty ones, I bring full of joy The first song of thanksgiving! Blinded by the new splendour, Where do I hide my eyes! Close, eyes, that night may not Bind you anew. Now that my eyes have seen The greatest splendour, Now I shall sing my last, My most beautiful song: Praise be to the king’s son Who won for himself the throne of a monarch; Praise be to his lovely wife, Whom he valiantly freed from the agony of an enchantment. And praise be as well to that which shall bloom from their union, Praised, praised be the entire dynasty! All hail the pair of monarchs, praise be to the pair of monarchs!
This text was added to the website: 2015-06-24
Line count: 20
Word count: 117