by Walter Scott, Sir (1771 - 1832)
Translation by Ferdinand Freiligrath (1810 - 1876)
The maid of Isla
Language: English
O, Maid of Isla, from the cliff, That looks on troubled wave and sky, Dost thou not see yon little skiff Contend with ocean gallantly? Now beating 'gainst the breeze and surge, And steep'd her leeward deck in foam, Why does she war unequal urge? - O, Isla's maid, she seeks her home. O, Isla's maid, yon sea-bird mark, Her white wing gleams through mist and spray, Against the storm-cloud, lowering dark, As to the rock she wheels away; - Where clouds are dark and billows rave, Why to the shelter should she come Of cliff, exposed to wind and wave? - O, maid of Isla, 'tis her home. As breeze and tide to yonder skiff, Thou'rt adverse to the suit I bring, And cold as is yon wintry cliff, Where sea-birds close their wearied wing. Yet cold as rock, unkind as wave, Still, Isla's maid, to thee I come; For in thy love, or in his grave, Must Allan Vourich find his home.
Authorship:
- by Walter Scott, Sir (1771 - 1832), "The maid of Isla" [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 Ludwig van Beethoven (1770 - 1827), "The maid of Isla", op. 108 (25 schottische Lieder mit Begleitung von Pianoforte, Violine und Violoncello) no. 4 (1815) [ voice, violin, violoncello, piano ] [sung text checked 1 time]
Settings in other languages, adaptations, or excerpts:
- Also set in German (Deutsch), a translation by Ferdinand Freiligrath (1810 - 1876) , "Das Mädchen von Isla" ; composed by Adolf Jensen.
- Also set in German (Deutsch), a translation by Heinrich Leuthold (1827 - 1879) , "Die Maid von Isla", appears in Gedichte, in 11. Übertragungen, in Nach dem Englischen, in Walter Scott, no. 1 ; composed by Wilhelm Sturm.
Other available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- GER German (Deutsch) (Anonymous/Unidentified Artist) , "Das Islamägdlein"
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
This text was added to the website: 2004-08-04
Line count: 24
Word count: 164
Das Mädchen von Isla
Language: German (Deutsch)  after the English
Mädchen von Isla, hoch vom Riff, Das Sturmgewölk und Meer umnachten, Siehst du nicht dort das kleine Schiff Die Wuth der Wellen keck verachten? Jetzt taucht es tief in Schaum und Dampf, Tanzt hoch jetzt auf der Wogen Rand; Sprich, warum wagt es solchen Kampf? - Mädchen, es sucht sein Heimathland! Siehst, Mädchen, du die Möve dort? Durch Nebel glänzt ihr weißer Flügel; Sie schwingt sich durch den rauhen Nord Und sucht des Ufers sichre Hügel. Warum durch Sturm und Wogenschaum Sucht sie der Insel Felsenstrand, Warum des Ufers grünen Saum? - Mädchen, es ist ihr Heimathland! Doch, wie des Schiffs der wilde Sturm, Lachst du der Werbung, die ich bringe; Kalt, wie des Felsen steiler Thurm, Wo Möv' und Taucher senkt die Schwinge. Sei noch so hart, sei noch so kalt, Doch, Mädchen, biet' ich dir die Hand! Wenn nicht dein liebend Herz, dann bald Ist Allan's Grab sein Heimathland!
Authorship:
- by Ferdinand Freiligrath (1810 - 1876), "Das Mädchen von Isla" [author's text checked 1 time against a primary source]
Based on:
- a text in English by Walter Scott, Sir (1771 - 1832), "The maid of Isla"
Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive):
- by Adolf Jensen (1837 - 1879), "Das Mädchen von Isla", op. 52 (Sechs Gesänge von Walter Scott für 1 Singstimme mit Pianoforte) no. 3, published 1875 [ voice and piano ], Breslau, Hainauer [sung text not yet checked]
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
This text was added to the website: 2011-07-18
Line count: 24
Word count: 151