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Franz Schubert made two settings of An den Mond, D. 259 and D. 296 (written later that year). Though simpler and earlier, I prefer D 259 (1819). It is strophic, rather than through-composed. The through-composed version has its charms for me also, but I prefer the simplicity of D 259.
This is one of my favorite songs of all time and I am forever trying to figure out how to capture this piece of music in words before giving up and singing it to myself.
Recordings
D. 259
An den Mond (D. 259). Werner Güra, tenor; Christoph Berner, accompanist.
An den Mond (d. 259). Matthias Goerne, baritone; Andreas Haefliger, piano (2013).
D. 296
An den Mond (D. 296) with lyrics and translation. Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, baritone; Gerald Moore, piano.
The text with translation
| Füllest wieder Busch und Tal Still mit Nebelglanz, Lösest endlich auch einmal Meine Seele ganz; | Once more you fill bush and valley With your misty light, At last also you bring Rest to me |
| Breitest über mein Gefild Lindernd deinen Blick, Wie des Freundes Auge mild Über mein Geschick. | With calm you spread your brilliant gaze Over the fields around me Like my loved one watching my fate With his gentle eyes |
| Jeden Nachklang fühlt mein Herz Froh- und trüber Zeit, Wandle zwischen Freud’ und Schmerz In der Einsamkeit. | Every echo fills my heart With memories of glad and sad times, I pass between the happiness and pain In loneliness. |
| Fließe, fließe, lieber Fluß! Nimmer werd’ ich froh; So verrauschte Scherz und Kuß Und die Treue so. | Flow on, flow on my beloved river, Happiness will not return to me Thus they passed from me Laughter, kisses and fidelity. |
| [Ich besaß es doch einmal, was so köstlich ist! Daß man doch zu seiner Qual Nimmer es vergißt!]* | Though once I held what is so precious, What one to his torment Will never forget. |
| [Rausche, Fluß, das Tal entlang, Ohne Rast und Ruh, Rausche, flüstre meinem Sang Melodien zu!]* | Rumble, o river, along the valley, Without rest or silence, Rumble and whisper melodies For my song. |
| [Wenn du in der Winternacht Wütend überschwillst Oder um die Frühlingspracht Junger Knospen quillst.]* | When on winter nights you Rage and spill your banks, Or when you surge around The springtime glory of young buds |
| Selig, wer sich vor der Welt Ohne Haß verschließt, Einen Freund am Busen hält Und mit dem genießt, | Blessed are we who withdraw From the world without hate Holding a friend to the breast, And with him enjoy |
| Was, von Menschen nicht gewußt Oder nicht bedacht, Durch das Labyrinth der Brust Wandelt in der Nacht. | That which is not known to man Or not contemplated Wandering in the night Through the labyrinth of the heart. |
* This stanza is omitted in the strophic setting by Franz Schubert, but is included in the through-composed version.
—Johann Wolfgang Goethe, An den Mond (1778) in Sämtliche Werke vol. 2.1, pp. 34-36 (K. Richter ed. 1987)(S.H. transl.)
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