|
Now the night draws in
Now the night is drawing in,
Man and beast become free
To find their desired peace;
Sorrow bears down on me.
Beautiful shines the moon
And the tiny gilded stars;
All is happy, far and wide,
Only I am lost in sadness.
Among the beautiful stars
Two are missing.
I mean those stars that shine
In my beloved´s eyes.
I care nothing for the moon,
Darkened is the starlight;
For turned away from me
Is Asteris my firmament.
But when she leans towards me,
My most beautiful sun,
I treasure it the most
When no star or moon shines.
English translation by Paul Archer of the text of Jetzund kömpt die Nacht herbey by Johann Nauwach (1595-1630). Published in Teütscher Villanellen, Theil 1, (1627). Text by Martin Opitz, Ode IV, from Oden und Gesänge (1618).
See the copyright notice below.
Jetzund kömpt die Nacht herbey
Jetzund kömpt die Nacht herbey,
Vieh und Menschen werden frey,
Die gewüntschte Ruh geht an;
Meine Sorge kömpt heran.
Schöne gläntzt der Mondenschein;
Und die Gülden Sternelein;
Froh ist alles weit und breit,
Ich nur bin in Traurigkeit.
Zweene mangeln uberall
An der schönen Sternen Zahl;
Diese Sternen die ich mein’
Ist der Liebsten Augenschein.
Nach dem Monden frag’ ich nicht,
Dunckel ist der Sternen Liecht;
Weil sich von mir weggewendt
Asteris mein Firmament.
Wann sich aber neigt zu mir
Dieser meiner Sonnen Ziehr,
Acht’ ich es das beste seyn,
Daß kein Stern noch Monde schein?
Recording. Performed by The Archduke's Consort on their CD 'Mr Dowland and his travels'. Fiona Stuart-Wilson (voice), Guillermo Femenías (archlute) and Xisco Aguiló (violone da gamba).
Link: https://soundcloud.com/user-894311142/jetzund-kompt-die-nacht-herbei-johann-nauwach
Copyright notice. The translation is provided as an aid to musicians and audiences. Publication of the translation in print or digital formats is expressly forbidden unless permission from the author has been first obtained and acknowledgement of authorship is duly made. Permission will usually be granted so please contact Paul Archer with details of how you wish to make use of the translation.
For more translations into English of early music texts, go to:
Translations of early music texts. |
