Morgenstern Lieder

About

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Christian Morgenstern (1871 - 1914) was a German author and poet, whose prolific body of work includes some of the most well-known German poetry, even outside the world of German-speakers.

An attempted translation of each poem follows:

I. 'Wind und Geige' (Wind and Violin)

Inside in the hall a violin sang,
It sang of love, so gentle, so wild;
Outside, the wind in the branches sang:
What do you want, human child?

Inside in the hall the violin sang:
I want my joy; I want my joy!
Outside, the wind in the branches sang:
That, that old, useless toy?

Inside in the hall the violin sang:
And if it's old, for me it's new.
Outside, the wind in the branches sang:
Many have died of rue.

The last of the violin's sounds has died;
the windows have become pale and blind;
but still and for long did sing so wild
in the shadowy forest the wind…

What do you want, human child?

II. 'Die Zwei Wurzeln' (The Two Roots)

Two old pine roots, big and old
Are chatting together in the forest.

What's whispered in the boughs above,
Is discussed again down below.

An old squirrel sits nearby,
Most likely knitting socks for them.

One says 'knig', the other 'knag'*...
That is enough for one day.

III. 'Nebel am Wattenmeer' (Mist over northern Sea)

Mist, silent mist, over ocean and land.
Deathly still the mud; deathly still the sand.
Sadness, quiet sadness covers the earth
Soul, beloved soul, also be silent, and dream.