Songs
Der Pilgrim
(1823)
D794
Der Pilgrim
Noch in meines Lebens LenzeWar ich, und ich wandert’ aus, Und der Jugend frohe TänzeLiess ich in des Vaters Haus.All mein Erbteil, meine Habe, Warf ich fröhlich glauben hin,Und am leichten Pilgerstabe Zog ich fort mit Kindersinn.Denn mich trieb ein mächtig Hoffen Und ein dunkles Glaubenswort, „Wandle,“ rief’s, „der Weg ist offen,Immer nach dem Aufgang fort.„Bis zu einer goldnen Pforten Du gelangst, da gehst du ein,Denn das Irdische wird dorten Himmlisch, unvergänglich sein.“Abend ward’s und wurde Morgen, Nimmer, nimmer stand ich still,Aber immer blieb’s verborgen, Was ich suche, was ich will.Berge lagen mir im Wege,Ströme hemmten meinen Fuss,Über Schlünde baut ich Stege, Brücken durch den wilden Fluss.Und zu eines Stroms Gestaden Kam ich, der nach Morgen floss;Froh vertrauend seinem Faden, Warf ich mich in seinen Schoss.Hin zu einem grossen Meere Trieb mich seiner Wellen Spiel;Vor mir liegt’s in weiter Leere, Näher bin ich nicht dem Ziel.Ach, kein Weg will dahin führen, Ach, der Himmel über mirWill die Erde nicht berühen,Und das Dort ist niemals hier!
The Pilgrim
I was still in the springtime of my life when I journeyed forthand left the merry dances of youth in my father’s house.All my inheritance, all my possessions I cast away in cheerful faith,and with childlike heartset off with my light pilgrim’s staff.For a mighty hope drove me on, and a dark word of faith.‘Journey onwards,’ came the cry, ‘the way is open, ever onwards toward the east.‘Until you reach a golden gate; there you will enter.For there earthly thingsbecome celestial, immortal.’Evening came, and morning; never, never did I stop.Yet what I seek, what I long for,always remained hidden.Mountains loomed in my path, rivers checked my step;I built bridges over the abyssand across the turbulent river.And I came to the bank of a river that flowed eastwards.Joyfully trusting to its currentI threw myself upon its bosom.The play of its wavesbore me to a great ocean;it lies before me in its vast emptiness. I am no nearer my goal.Ah, no way will take me there; ah, the sky above mewill not touch the earth,and the There is never here!
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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.
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Poet
Johann Christoph Friedrich von Schiller was a German poet, philosopher, physician, historian, and playwright. During the last seventeen years of his life (1788–1805), Schiller struck up a productive, if complicated, friendship with the already famous and influential Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. They frequently discussed issues concerning aesthetics, and Schiller encouraged Goethe to finish works he left as sketches. This relationship and these discussions led to a period now referred to as Weimar Classicism. They also worked together on Xenien, a collection of short satirical poems in which both Schiller and Goethe challenge opponents to their philosophical vision.
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Der Pilgrim
The Pilgrim
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
Johann Christoph Friedrich von Schiller was a German poet, philosopher, physician, historian, and playwright. During the last seventeen years of his life (1788–1805), Schiller struck up a productive, if complicated, friendship with the already famous and influential Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. They frequently discussed issues concerning aesthetics, and Schiller encouraged Goethe to finish works he left as sketches. This relationship and these discussions led to a period now referred to as Weimar Classicism. They also worked together on Xenien, a collection of short satirical poems in which both Schiller and Goethe challenge opponents to their philosophical vision.
Taken from Wikipedia. To view the full article, please click here.
See Full Entry
Sorry, no further description available.
About Oxford Lieder
Oxford Lieder is one of the world's leading promoters of song and the winner of a prestigious Royal Philharmonic Society Award. The focal point of each year is the two-week Oxford Lieder Festival in October.
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