"As a stranger I arrived
As a stranger I shall leave"
Those are the opening words on a heartbreaking journey of gloom, grief and utter loneliness.
One of Schubert's friends described the day Schuber performed his newly written song cycle "Winterreise" ( Winter Jorney) :
"Schubert was gloomy and depressed, and when asked the reason replied,
"Come to Schober's today and I will play you a cycle of terrifying songs; they have affected me more than has ever been the case with any other songs." He then, with a voice full of feeling, sang the entire Winterreise for us. We were altogether dumbfounded by the sombre mood of these songs, and Schober said that one song only, "Der Lindenbaum", had pleased him. Thereupon Schubert leaped up and replied: "These songs please me more than all the rest, and in time they will please you as well."
Good Night (Wilhelm Müller)
English translation with German text below :
As a stranger I arrived
As a stranger I shall leave
I remember a perfect day in May
How bright the flowers, how cool the breeze
The maiden had a friendly smile
The mother had kind words
But now the world is dreary
With a winter path before me
I can't choose the season
To depart from this place
I won't delay or ponder
I must begin my journey now
The bright moon lights my path
It will guide me on my road
I see the snow-covered meadow
I see where deer have trod
A voice within says -- go now
Why linger and delay?
Leave the dogs to bay at the moon
Before her father's gate
For love is a thing of changes
God has made it so
Ever-changing from old to new
God has made it so
So love delights in changes
Good night, my love, good night
Love is a thing of changes
Good night, my love, good night
I'll not disturb your sleep
But I'll write over your door
A simple farewell message
Good night, my love, good night
These are the last words spoken
Soon I'll be out of sight
A simple farewell message
Goodnight, my love, good night
Gute Nacht
Fremd bin ich eingezogen,
Fremd zieh' ich wieder aus.
Der Mai war mir gewogen
Mit manchem Blumenstrauß.
Das Mädchen sprach von Liebe,
Die Mutter gar von Eh', --
Nun ist die Welt so trübe,
Der Weg gehüllt in Schnee.
Ich kann zu meiner Reisen
Nicht wählen mit der Zeit,
Muß selbst den Weg mir weisen
In dieser Dunkelheit.
Es zieht ein Mondenschatten
Als mein Gefährte mit,
Und auf den weißen Matten
Such' ich des Wildes Tritt.
Was soll ich länger weilen,
Daß man mich trieb hinaus?
Laß irre Hunde heulen
Vor ihres Herren Haus;
Die Liebe liebt das Wandern --
Gott hat sie so gemacht --
Von einem zu dem andern.
Fein Liebchen, gute Nacht!
Will dich im Traum nicht stören,
Wär schad' um deine Ruh'.
Sollst meinen Tritt nicht hören --
Sacht, sacht die Türe zu!
Schreib im Vorübergehen
Ans Tor dir: Gute Nacht,
Damit du mögest sehen,
An dich hab' ich gedacht.
