Der Kranz

Es pflückte Blümlein mannigfalt
Ein Mägdlein auf der lichten Au;
Da kam wohl aus dem grünen Wald
Eine wunderschöne Frau.

Sie trat zum Mägdlein freundlich hin,
Sie schlang ein Kränzlein ihm ins Haar:
«Noch blüht es nicht, doch wird es blühn;
O trag es immerdar!»

Und als das Mägdlein größer ward
Und sich erging im Mondenglanz
Und Tränen weinte, süß und zart,
Da knospete der Kranz.

Und als ihr holder Bräutigam
Sie innig in die Arme schloß,
Da wanden Blümlein wonnesam
Sich aus den Knospen los.

Sie wiegte bald ein süßes Kind
Auf ihrem Schoße mütterlich,
Da zeigten an dem Laubgewind
Viel goldne Früchte sich.

Und als ihr Lieb gesunken war
Ach! in des Grabes Nacht und Staub,
Da weht' um ihr zerstreutes Haar
Ein herbstlich falbes Laub.

Bald lag auch sie erbleichet da,
Doch trug sie ihren werten Kranz,
Da war's ein Wunder, denn man sah
So Frucht als Blütenglanz.

by Johann Ludwig Uhland (1787-1862) , "Der Kranz"

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

[ None yet in the database ]

by Peter Andrew Tranchell (1922-) , "The chaplet", 1962, first performed 1962 [SATB chorus with divisi a cappella], from Thackeray Ditties, no. 2.

Date added to the website: 2009-03-23.

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The chaplet

A little girl through field and wood
Went plucking flowerets here and there,
When suddenly beside her stood
A lady wondrous fair!

The lovely lady smiled, and laid
A wreath upon the maiden's brow;
"Wear it, 'twill blossom soon," she said,
"Although 'tis leafless now."

The little maiden older grew
And wandered forth of moonlight eves,
And sighed and loved as maids will do;
When, lo! her wreath bore leaves.

Then was our maid a wife, and hung
Upon a joyful bridegroom's bosom;
When from the garland's leaves there sprung
Fair store of blossom.

And presently a baby fair
Upon her gentle breast she reared;
When midst the wreath that bound her hair
Rich golden fruit appeared.

But when her love lay cold in death,
Sunk in the black and silent tomb,
All sere and withered was the wreath
That wont so bright to bloom.

Yet still the withered wreath she wore;
She wore it at her dying hour;
When, to the wondrous garland bore
Both leaf, and fruit, and flower!

by William Makepeace Thackeray (1811-1863) , "The chaplet", from Five German Ditties, no. 2

a text in English by Johann Ludwig Uhland (1787-1862) , "Der Kranz"

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

by Peter Andrew Tranchell (1922-) , "The chaplet", 1962, first performed 1962 [SATB chorus with divisi a cappella], from Thackeray Ditties, no. 2.

Date added to the website: 2009-03-23.