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Nachtigall, sag, was für Grüß', Was ist dein Gesang so süß? So schaurig, so schaurig! Bald thut wohl mir dein Gesang, Und wird's mir im Herzen bang! So schaurig, so schaurig! Wie es tönet durch den Wald, Fließt die Thräne von der Wang'. So schaurig, so schaurig! In dem Herzen ringt die Noth So als wär' es gar der Tod! So schaurig, so schaurig! Nachtigall, so wundersam, Sprich in Jesu Christi Nam': So schaurig, so schaurig! Wie solch Singen möglich ist? Und verkünde, wer du bist! So schaurig, so schaurig! Der du bist, das war ich einst, Meine Sünd' ist nicht die kleinst', So schaurig, so schaurig! Wart bis auf den jüngsten Tag Auf mein Urtheil mit der Klag'. So schaurig, so schaurig! Rauschend fliegt der Vogel fort, Warnt bald hier und warnt bald dort; So schaurig, so schaurig! Wer vernommen den Gesang, Der wird nicht mehr leben lang'. So schaurig, so schaurig!
About the headline (FAQ)
Confirmed with Deutsche Volkslieder mit ihren Original-Weisen, ed. A. Wilh. v. Zuccalmaglio, Zweiter Theil, Berlin: Vereins-Buchhandlung, 1840, pages 140-141.
Authorship:
- from Volkslieder (Folksongs) , "Die verzauberte Nachtigall" [author's text checked 1 time 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 Johannes Brahms (1833 - 1897), "Nachtigall, sag", WoO. 33 no. 48, published [1894] [ voice, chorus (Vorsängener Chor), and piano ], from Deutsche Volkslieder, no. 48, Berlin, N. Simrock [sung text checked 1 time]
Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- CAT Catalan (Català) (Salvador Pila) , copyright © 2022, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- DUT Dutch (Nederlands) [singable] (Lau Kanen) , "Nachtegaal, wat 's dat voor groet?", copyright © 2015, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- ENG English (Sharon Krebs) , "Nightingale, tell", copyright © 2014, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- FRE French (Français) (Pierre Mathé) , "Dis, rossignol pourquoi pour un salut", copyright © 2013, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
Researcher for this page: Sharon Krebs [Guest Editor]
This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 30
Word count: 153
Nachtegaal, wat 's dat voor groet? Waarom is je zang zo zoet? Zo aak'lig, zo aak'lig! Soms doet goed mij jouw gezang, Soms word ik van binnen bang! Zo aak'lig, zo aak'lig! Terwijl 't luid klinkt door het woud Vloeien tranen van mijn wang. Zo aak'lig, zo aak'lig! In mijn hart roert zich de nood Zo, als was daar reeds de dood! Zo aak'lig, zo aak'lig! Nachtegaal, zo groot in faam, Spreek in Jezus Christus' naam: Zo aak'lig, zo aak'lig! Zulke zang is ongekend! Kom, vertel ons wie je bent, Zo aak'lig, zo aak'lig! Wie jij bent, dat was ik eens, Ja, want ik deed veel gemeens, Zo aak'lig, zo aak'lig! Ik wacht tot de jongste dag Op het oordeel met mijn klacht, Zo aak'lig, zo aak'lig! Ruisend vliegt de vogel weg! Slaakt zijn kreet langs heg en steg; Zo aak'lig, zo aak'lig! Wie vernomen heeft zijn zang, Die zal niet meer leven lang. Zo aak'lig, zo aak'lig!
Authorship:
- Singable translation from German (Deutsch) to Dutch (Nederlands) copyright © 2015 by Lau Kanen, (re)printed on this website with kind permission. To reprint and distribute this author's work for concert programs, CD booklets, etc., please ask the copyright-holder(s) directly.
Lau Kanen.  Contact: boudewijnkanen (AT) gmail (DOT) com
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Based on:
- a text in German (Deutsch) from Volkslieder (Folksongs) , "Die verzauberte Nachtigall"
This text was added to the website: 2015-06-19
Line count: 30
Word count: 158