Poesie

Poesie ist tiefes Schmerzen,
Und es kommt das echte Lied
Einzig aus dem Menschenherzen
Das ein tiefes Leid durchglüht.

[Doch die höchsten Poesien
Schweigen wie der höchste Schmerz,
Nur wie Geisterschatten ziehen
Stumm sie durchs gebrochne Herz.]1

by Justinus (Andreas Christian) Kerner (1786-1862) , "Poesie", from Die lyrischen Gedichte

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

by (Christian) Immo Schneider (1935-) , "Poesie. Dem Justinus-Kerner-Verein in Weinsberg zum 200. Geburtstagsjubiläum des Meisters", 1986, unpublished
by John Stainer (1840-1901) , "Poesie", published 1892, from Seven Songs, no. 7, also set in English
by Justus Hermann Wetzel (1879-1973) , "Kerner: Poesie", op. 5 (Sieben Gedichte) no. 5, published 1919.

by Wilhelm Platz , "Motto", published 1900, from Hundert Lieder, no. 1. [see full setting text]

by John Stainer (1840-1901) , "Poesy", published 1892, from Seven Songs, no. 7, also set in German

Date added to the website: 2008-06-16.

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Poesy

Poesy is deepest anguish,
Only can the sad heart sing,
Which, by sorrow pierced, doth languish;
'Tis from woe true song doth spring.

Highest Poesy mute sitteth,
Silent as Pain's fatal dart,
Like a spiritshade it flitteth,
Dumbly through the broken heart.

Singable translation by John Stainer (1840-1901) , "Poesy"

a text in German by Justinus (Andreas Christian) Kerner (1786-1862) , "Poesie", from Die lyrischen Gedichte

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

by John Stainer (1840-1901) , "Poesy", published 1892, from Seven Songs, no. 7, also set in German

Date added to the website: 2008-08-20.