This is the first part in our new Sunday series on the beauty of the German language and the richness of German/Austrian/Swiss literature and poets, authors as well as dreamers.
We have heard so many times now over the years that German is not a very desirable language to learn and well, that it just does not sound good. However, we at TTMAA refuse to believe that and so we are going to make it our mission to show to the world that German/Austrian as well as Swiss German, is just as beautiful – if not more so – as other European languages like Italian and French; which are if we’re honest, a bit overrated ;).
But no, “Spass beseite,” every language is beautiful. Though now it is time for German to shine and show the world its richness as well as beauty. Take it from us, there is literally almost nothing you cannot describe in every detail in German.
Check it out. Here’s the first poem (called ‘Longing’ in English and ‘Sehnsucht’ in German) we want to show you and we have translated as well by the famous German writer Friedrich Schiller.
LONGING. Could I from this valley drear, Where the mist hangs heavily, Soar to some more blissful sphere, Ah! how happy should I be! Distant hills enchant my sight, Ever young and ever fair; To those hills I'd take my flight Had I wings to scale the air. Harmonies mine ear assail, Tunes that breathe a heavenly calm; And the gently-sighing gale Greets me with its fragrant balm. Peeping through the shady bowers, Golden fruits their charms display. And those sweetly-blooming flowers Ne'er become cold winter's prey. In you endless sunshine bright, Oh! what bliss 'twould be to dwell! How the breeze on yonder height Must the heart with rapture swell! Yet the stream that hems my path Checks me with its angry frown, While its waves, in rising wrath, Weigh my weary spirit down. See—a bark is drawing near, But, alas, the pilot fails! Enter boldly—wherefore fear? Inspiration fills its sails, Faith and courage make thine own,— Gods ne'er lend a helping-hand; 'Tis by magic power alone Thou canst reach the magic land!SEHNSUCHT
Ach, aus dieses Tales Gründen,
Die der kalte Nebel drückt,
Könnt ich doch den Ausgang finden,
Ach wie fühlt ich mich beglückt!
Dort erblick ich schöne Hügel,
Ewig jung und ewig grün!
Hätt ich Schwingen, hätt ich Flügel,
Nach den Hügeln zög ich hin.Harmonieen hör ich klingen,
Töne süßer Himmelsruh,
Und die leichten Winde bringen
Mir der Düfte Balsam zu,
Goldne Früchte seh ich glühen
Winkend zwischen dunkelm Laub,
Und die Blumen, die dort blühen,
Werden keines Winters Raub.Ach wie schön muß sichs ergehen
Dort im ewgen Sonnenschein,
Und die Luft auf jenen Höhen
O wie labend muß sie sein!
Doch mir wehrt des Stromes Toben,
Der ergrimmt dazwischen braust,
Seine Wellen sind gehoben,
Daß die Seele mir ergraust.Einen Nachen seh ich schwanken,
Aber ach! der Fährmann fehlt.
Frisch hinein und ohne Wanken,
Seine Segel sind beseelt.
Du mußt glauben, du mußt wagen,
Denn die Götter leihn kein Pfand,
Nur ein Wunder kann dich tragen
In das schöne Wunderland.
It’s truly a beautiful poem, isn’t it? Like this post if you want us to keep going in revealing and uncovering the beauty, as well as the mysteriousness, of the German language for you! And as always, we’d totally appreciate it if you liked this site to share our site with your friends and loved ones and Talk to Me About Austria ;).
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