Jāzeps Vītols - Dziesma (The Song)

[Justin]

I am curious as to whether any of our current members are proficient in Latvian, as I would like to understand the meaning of the libretto from Vītols' cantata.

Linked below is the score/libretto:

https://ks.imslp.net/files/imglnks/usimg/2/2a/IMSLP313206-SIBLEY1802.21881.789a-39087011998467piesnia.pdf

Thank you.

[Alan Howe]

I could translate the German version, but haven't got the time. Apologies.

On the other hand, if you were to copy out the German in full and post it here, I might be tempted to translate it...

[tpaloj]

Here you are Alan, the poem is not very long. Without having seen a printed libretto text of the poem the line wrapping won't probably be entirely correct. I've omitted any repeated lines as they occur in the music. Justin: how urgently would you need a Latvian translation (if still necessary)? I can ask someone who could translate it, but it might take some time.

   I.

Hin, hin, hin,
wo fern vom Himmelsrand
Sterne flammen nieder,
nach der Sehnsucht Heimatland
wallen uns're Lieder.

Und auf Liedes Flügeln
schwingt sich der Geist,
der müde aufwärts,
aufwärts aus dem Leid,
ringt heiss um Kraft und Friede.

   II.

Mag von uns'res Liedes
Klang Berg und Wald erbeben,
uns'rem Herzen soll der Sang
heitern Frieden geben.

Lass ein Herz zur Freundesbrust,
voller Liebe sprechen,
aus der Seele voll von Lust
neue Lieder brechen.

Gleich dem Bach im wonn'gen Mai
hörst du's rauschend quellen,
machtvoll tönend ringt sich's frei,
wie im Sturm die Wellen, machtvoll,
tönend ringt sich's frei,
wie im Sturm die Wellen.

   III.

Brüder, uns're freien Lieder
sallen nimmermehr verwehn.
Tön' an Töne bindet wieder!
Neue Lieder lasst ersteh'n!

[Alan Howe]

Here's a quickly dashed-off translation:

Away, away, away,
where far from the horizon
stars blaze down,
our songs surge
towards the homeland of longing.

And the spirit leaps
on wings of song,
upwards, exhausted,
upwards from sorrow.
fervently striving for strength and peace.

   II.

May our song's sound
cause mountain and forest to quake
the song shall give our heart
cheery peace.

May a heart speak full of love
to a friend's breast,
may new songs break forth
full of joy from the soul.

Like the stream in blissful May
you hear it gushing, roaring,
it struggles free, resounding powerfully,
like the waves in a storm,
it struggles free, resounding powerfully,
like the waves in a storm.

   III.

Brothers, our free songs
shall never again blow away.
Bind sounds to sounds!
Make new songs arise!

[Justin]

Justin: how urgently would you need a Latvian translation (if still necessary)? I can ask someone who could translate it, but it might take some time.

If you could do that, Tpaloj, I would greatly appreciate it! And no, it isn't urgent at all. Please take as much time as needed.

Here's a quickly dashed-off translation:

Thank you very much, Alan! I have seen scores where the German is an abridged version of the libretto in its original language (Dalcroze's "La Veillée"), so I am curious to see if that is the same case here. From face value, this is a very Romantic text fitting right in with the era.