Vöglein Schwermut

Ein schwarzes Vöglein fliegt über die Welt,
das singt so todestraurig...
[Wer es hört, der hört nichts anderes mehr,]1
wer es hört, der tut sich ein Leides an,
der mag keine Sonne mehr schauen.

Allmitternacht ruht es sich aus
auf [dem Finger]2 des Tods.
Der streichelt's leis und spricht ihm zu:
"Flieg, mein [Vögelein!]3 flieg, mein [Vögelein!]3"
Und wieder fliegt's flötend über die Welt.

by Christian Morgenstern (1871-1914) , "Vöglein Schwermut"

Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive)

by Hans Gál (1890-1987) , "Vöglein Schwermut", op. 33 (Fünf Lieder) no. 3.
by Harald Genzmer (1909-2007) , "Vöglein Schwermut", 1940-87 [baritone or soprano and piano], from Acht Lieder nach verschiedenen Dichtern
by Heinz Holliger (1939-) , "Vöglein Schwermut", first performed 2004 [soprano and orchestra], from Sechs Lieder nach Gedichten von Christian Morgenstern, no. 4.
by Yrjö Henrik Kilpinen (1892-1959) , "Vöglein Schwermut", op. 62 no. 1 (1928), from Lieder um den Tod, no. 1.
by Wilhelm Petersen (1890-1957) , "Vöglein Schwermut", op. 41 (Vier Lieder) no. 1.
by (Richard Gustav) Heinz Tiessen (1887-1971) , "Vöglein Schwermut", op. 23 no. 3.
by Ernest Vietor (fl. 1905-1930) , "Vöglein Schwermut", op. 5 no. 2.
by Karl Weigl (1881-1949) , "Vöglein Schwermut", op. 26 (2 Frauenchöre a cappella) no. 1 (1918-9), published 1933. [four-part women's chorus a cappella]
by Felix Paul Weingartner (1863-1942) , "Vöglein Schwermut", op. 39 no. 2 (1906).
by Erich J. Wolff (1874-1913) , "Vöglein Schwermut", Lieder no. 16, published 1914.
by Stefan Wolpe (1902-1972) , "Vöglein Schwermut", 1920. [voice and piano]
by Erich Zeisl (1905-1959) , "Vöglein Schwermut", 1929 [alto and piano], unpublished
by Alexander Zemlinsky (1871-1942) , "Vöglein Schwermut", op. 10 no. 3 (1901?), from Ehetanzlied und andere Gesänge, no. 3.

ENG English (John H. Campbell)

Added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.

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