Auf dem Wasser zu singen

"Auf dem Wasser zu singen" (To be sung on the water), D, is a Lied composed by Franz Schubert in 1823, based on the poem of the same name by Friedrich Leopold zu Stolberg-Stolberg.

The text describes a scene on the water from the perspective of the narrator who is in a boat, and delves into the narrator's reflections on the passing of time. The song's famous piano accompaniment recreates the texture of the shimmering waves (der Freude sanftschimmernden Wellen) mentioned in the third line of the poem and its rhythmic style in the 6/8 meter is reminiscent of a barcarole. Harmonically, the song as a whole and within each stanza traces a movement from the minor mode to the major mode: the song begins in A-flat minor and ends in A-flat major.

Franz Liszt transcribed the piece for solo piano, S.558.

The song was used on the album Barbra Streisand…and Other Musical Instruments (1973), and in the films The Adventures of Milo and Otis (1986) and Battle Royale (2000).

Text

Mitten im Schimmer der spiegelnden Wellen Gleitet, wie Schwäne, der wankende Kahn : Ach, auf der Freude sanftschimmernden Wellen Gleitet die Seele dahin wie der Kahn; Denn von dem Himmel herab auf die Wellen Tanzet das Abendrot rund um den Kahn. Über den Wipfeln des westlichen Haines Winket uns freundlich der rötliche Schein; Unter den Zweigen des östlichen Haines Säuselt der Kalmus im rötlichen Schein; Freude des Himmels und Ruhe des Haines Atmet die Seel im errötenden Schein. Ach, es entschwindet mit tauigem Flügel Mir auf den wiegenden Wellen die Zeit; Morgen entschwinde mit schimmerndem Flügel Wieder wie gestern und heute die Zeit, Bis ich auf höherem strahlendem Flügel Selber entschwinde der wechselnden Zeit.

In the midst of the shimmer of reflecting waves Like swans, glides the bouncing rowboat Ah, over the joyous, gently-shimmering waves Glides the soul like the rowboat. From the heaven on down the waves Dances the evening glow around the boat. Above the top of the western grove Friendly greets us the red glow; Below the branches of the eastern grove The reeds rustle in the red glow. Heavenly joy and the peace of the groves The soul breathes in the evening glow. Ah, disappears from me with the dewey wings On rocking waves, flies the time Disappears tomorrow on shimmering wings Just like yesterday and today, flies the time. Until I myself on more highly radiant wings Flee from the changing time.

External links

• Free scores by "Auf dem Wasser zu singen" at the International Music Score Library Project (IMSLP)
• "Auf dem Wasser zu singen" on YouTube, animated score, Barbara Bonney, Geoffrey Parsons