Ständchen (Serenade)

Verse one by August Wilhelm Schlegel (1767-1845); verses two and three by Johann Anton Friedrich Reil
(1773-1843); after Hark, hark! the lark by William Shakespeare (1564-1616)
Set by Franz Peter Schubert (1797-1828), D. 889

Horch, horch, die Lerch' im Ätherblau!

     
Hark, hark, the lark in-the ether-blue!
(Hark, hark, the lark in heavens' blue!)

Und Phöbus, neu erweckt,

   
And Phoebus, newly awakened,

Tränkt seine Rosse mit dem Tau,

     
waters his steeds with the dew,

Der Blumenkelche deckt.

  
that-the flower-chalices covers.
(that covers chaliced flowers.)

Der Ringelblume Knospe schleußt

   
Of-the marigold (the)-bud opens
(The marigold bud opens)

Die gold'nen Äuglein auf;

   
the golden little-eyes up;
(its little golden eye;)

Mit allem, was da reizend ist (heißt),

      ()
with all, what there charming is (is-called),
(with all that is charming,)

Du süße Maid, steh auf!

    
you sweet maid, a- rise!
(arise, sweet maid, arise!)

Wenn schon die liebe ganze Nacht

     
When already the dear whole night
(And although the whole night)
Ständchen (Schlegel/Reil) Page 1 of 3
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   
the stars' bright host

Hoch über dir im Wechsel wacht,

     
high over you in alternation stand-watch,
(has taken turns standing watch high over you,)

So hoffen sie noch mehr,

    
so hope they still more,
(they still hope for more,)

Dass auch dein Augenstern sie grüßt.

     
that also your eye-star them greets.
(to be greeted by your starry eye.)

Erwach! Sie warten drauf,

   
Awaken! They wait for-that,
(Awaken! They wait for you,)

Weil du doch gar so reizend bist;

      
because you indeed very so charming are;
(for you are indeed very charming;)

Du süße Maid, steh auf!

    
you sweet maid, a- rise!

Und wenn dich alles das nicht weckt,

      
And if you all that not awakens,
(And if all this fails to awaken you,)

So werde durch den Ton

    
so will through the sound
(so may the sound of love)

Der Minne zärtlich aufgeneckt!

   
of-the love tenderly up-teased!
(gently tease you awake!)

Ständchen (Schlegel/Reil) Page 2 of 3

O dann erwachst du schon!
    
Oh then awaken you already!
(Oh then you will surely awaken!)

Wie oft sie dich ans Fenster trieb,

      
How often they you to-the window have-driven,
(How often they have brought you to your window,)

Das weiß sie, drum steh auf,

     
that know they, therefore a- rise,
(love knows it, therefore arise,)

Und habe deinen Sänger lieb,

    
and have your singer dear,
(and love your singer,)

Du süße Maid, steh auf!

    
you sweet maid, a- rise!

(Literal translation and IPA transcription © 2009 by Bard Suverkrop—IPA Source, LLC)

Hark, hark! the lark by William Shakespeare (1564-1616), from Cymbeline, Act II, scene 3

Hark, hark! the lark at heaven's gate sings,

And Phoebus 'gins arise,
His steeds to water at those springs
On chaliced flowers that lies;
And winking Mary-buds begin
To ope their golden eyes:
With every thing that pretty is,
My lady sweet, arise:
Arise, arise.

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