Songs
Drang in die Ferne
(1823)
D770
Drang in die Ferne
Vater, du glaubst es nicht, Wie’s mir zum Herzen spricht, Wenn ich die Wolken seh’, Oder am Strome steh’;Wolkengold, Wellengrün Ziehen so leicht dahin, Weilen im Sonnenlicht, Aber bei Blumen nicht,Zögern und rasten nie, Eilen, als wüssten sie, Ferne und ungekannt, Irgend ein schön’res Land.Ach! von Gewölk und Flut Hat auch mein wildes Blut Heimlich geerbt den Drang, Stürmet die Welt entlang!Vaterlands FelsentalWird mir zu eng, zu schmal, Denn meiner Sehnsucht Traum Findet darin nicht Raum.Lasst mich! ich muss, ich muss Fordern den Scheidekuss.Vater und Mutter mein,Müsset nicht böse sein!Hab euch ja herzlich lieb; Aber ein wilder TriebJagt mich waldein, Waldhaus, Weit von dem Vaterhaus.Sorgt nicht, durch welches Land Einsam mein Weg sich wand; Monden- und Sternenschein Leuchtet auch dort hinein.Überall wölbt’s GefildSich den azurnen Schild, Den um die ganze Welt Schirmend der Schöpfer hält.Ach! und wenn nimmermehrlch zu euch wiederkehr’,Lieben, so denkt, er fandGlücklich das schön’re Land.
Longing to escape
Father, you do not believe that my heart quickens when I see the clouds,or stand beside the stream?Golden clouds, green waves drift along so effortlessly, lingering in the sunshine but not by the flowers.They never tarry or rest, hastening as if they knew of some fairer land, distant and undiscovered.Ah, from clouds and streams my hot blood, too,has secretly caught the urge to storm through the world.The rocky valley of my native land is too narrow and confined,for my yearning dreamscannot be contained there.Let me go! I mustask for the parting kiss. Father and mother,you must not be angry!I love you dearly,but a wild urgedrives me to the forest and beyond, far from home.Do not worry about wheremy lonely, tortuous path may lead; there toothe moon and stars will shine.Over all the eartharches the azure shield which the Creator holdsto protect the whole world.Ah, and if I neverreturn to you, my loved ones,then you must think that I have found happiness in a fairer land.
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Composer
Franz Peter Schubert was an late Classical and early Romantic composer. He produced a vast oeuvre during his short life, composing more the 600 vocal works (largely Lieder), and well as several symphonies, operas, and a large body of piano music. He was uncommonly gifted from a young age, but appreciation of his music was limited during his lifetime. His work became more popular in the decades after his death, and was praised by 19th century composers, including Mendelssohn, Schumann, Brahms, and Liszt.
Information from Wikipedia. Read more here.
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Poet
Karl (or Carl) Gottfried Ritter von Leitner ( was an Austrian author and publicist from Graz, Styria, Austria.
From 1837 to 1854 he was the first Secretary to the Estates in Styria. He was the editor of the newspaper "Steiermark Zeitschrift" (Styria Times). Karl was the curator of the Landesmuseum Joanneum (Joanneum National Museum) in Graz, Austria from 1858 to 1864, and ge co-founded the Historical Association for Styrian Friendship with Peter Rosegger.
Some of his ballads were set to music by Franz Schubert, including Der Kreuzzug (D932), Der Wallensteiner Lanzknecht beim Trunk (D931), Der Winterabend (D938), Des Fischers Liebesglück (D933), Die Sterne (D939) and Vor meine Wiege (D927).
Taken from Wikipedia. To view the full article, please click here.
See Full Entry
Sorry, no further description available.
Previously performed at:
- 22 Oct 2018: Heimat: Benjamin Appl & James Baillieu
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Drang in die Ferne
Longing to escape
If you would like to use our texts and translations, please click here for more information.
Composer
Franz Peter Schubert was an late Classical and early Romantic composer. He produced a vast oeuvre during his short life, composing more the 600 vocal works (largely Lieder), and well as several symphonies, operas, and a large body of piano music. He was uncommonly gifted from a young age, but appreciation of his music was limited during his lifetime. His work became more popular in the decades after his death, and was praised by 19th century composers, including Mendelssohn, Schumann, Brahms, and Liszt.
Information from Wikipedia. Read more here.
See Full Entry
Poet
Karl (or Carl) Gottfried Ritter von Leitner ( was an Austrian author and publicist from Graz, Styria, Austria.
From 1837 to 1854 he was the first Secretary to the Estates in Styria. He was the editor of the newspaper "Steiermark Zeitschrift" (Styria Times). Karl was the curator of the Landesmuseum Joanneum (Joanneum National Museum) in Graz, Austria from 1858 to 1864, and ge co-founded the Historical Association for Styrian Friendship with Peter Rosegger.
Some of his ballads were set to music by Franz Schubert, including Der Kreuzzug (D932), Der Wallensteiner Lanzknecht beim Trunk (D931), Der Winterabend (D938), Des Fischers Liebesglück (D933), Die Sterne (D939) and Vor meine Wiege (D927).
Taken from Wikipedia. To view the full article, please click here.
See Full Entry
Sorry, no further description available.
Previously performed at:
- 22 Oct 2018: Heimat: Benjamin Appl & James Baillieu
About Oxford Lieder
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