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Es tönt des Nöcken Harfenschall: Da steht der wilde Wasserfall, Umschwebt mit Schaum und Wogen Den Nöck im Regenbogen. Die Bäume neigen Sich tief und schweigen, Und atmend horcht die Nachtigall. - »O Nöck, was hilft das Singen dein? Du kannst ja doch nicht selig sein! Wie kann dein Singen taugen?« Der Nöck erhebt die Augen, Sieht an die Kleinen, Beginnt zu weinen... Und senkt sich in die Flut hinein. Da rauscht und braust der Wasserfall, Hoch fliegt hinweg die Nachtigall, Die Bäume heben mächtig Die Häupter grün und prächtig. O weh, es haben Die wilden Knaben Der Nöck betrübt im Wasserfall! »Komm wieder, Nöck, du singst so schön! Wer singt, kann in den Himmel gehn! Du wirst mit deinem Klingen Zum Paradiese dringen! O komm, es haben Gescherzt die Knaben: Komm wieder, Nöck, und singe schön!« Da tönt des Nöcken Harfenschall, Und wieder steht der Wasserfall, Umschwebt mit Schaum und Wogen Den Nöck im Regenbogen. Die Bäume neigen Sich tief und schweigen, Und atmend horcht die Nachtigall. - Es spielt der Nöck und singt mit Macht Von Meer und Erd und Himmelspracht. Mit Singen kann er lachen Und selig weinen machen! Der Wald erbebet, Die Sonn entschwebet... Er singt bis in die Sternennacht!
Authorship:
- by August Kopisch (1799 - 1853) [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 Carl Loewe (1796 - 1869), "Der Nöck", op. 129 no. 2 (1860-1) [sung text checked 1 time]
Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- ENG English (David Wyatt) , "The water-sprite", copyright © 2008, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- ITA Italian (Italiano) (Amelia Maria Imbarrato) , "Il folletto della cascata", copyright © 2006, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
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: 204
The notes of the water-sprite's harp resound: There stands the wild waterfall, Surrounds with foam and waves The water-sprite, in a rainbow. The trees nod So silently and quiet And the nightingale listens, barely breathing. "O water-sprite, what are you singing for? You cannot indeed be happy! What good can your singing do?" The water-sprite lifts his eyes, Sees the little children, Begins to weep... And so sinks into the flood. The waterfall roars and foams, The nightingale flies high on its way, The trees lustily lift Their green, splendid heads. O woe, the wild children Have grieved The water-sprite in the waterfall! "Come back, water-sprite, you sing so sweetly! He who sings can go to heaven! You may with your song Penetrate to paradise! O come, the children Were just playing: Come back, o water-sprite, and sing sweetly!" Then sound the notes of the water-sprite's harp And again stands the wild waterfall, Surrounds with foam and waves The water-sprite, in a rainbow. The trees nod So silently and quiet And the nightingale listens, barely breathing. The water-sprite sings and plays lustily Of sea and earth and heaven. With his singing he can make you laugh And weep tears of joy! The forest trembles, The sun floats above... He sings right until starry night!
Authorship:
- Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2008 by David Wyatt, (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 August Kopisch (1799 - 1853)
This text was added to the website: 2008-03-17
Line count: 42
Word count: 214