MAHLER: Die Zwei Blauen Augen

Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen ('Songs of a Travelling Comrade, Companion, or Journeyman', often mistranslated as 'Songs of a Wayfarer') is Gustav Mahler's first song cycle. While he had previously written other lieder, they were grouped by source of text or time of composition as opposed to common theme. The four-movement cycle, for low voice (but often performed by a female singer), is widely believed to have been inspired by the conclusion of an unhappy love-affair.

IV - "Die zwei blauen Augen von meinem Schatz" ("The Two Blue Eyes of my Beloved")
The final movement culminates in a resolution. The music (also reused in the First Symphony) is subdued and gentle, lyrical and often reminiscent of a chorale in its harmonies. Its title, "Die zwei blauen Augen von meinem Schatz" ("The Two Blue Eyes of my Beloved"), deals with how the image of those eyes has caused the Wayfarer so much grief that he can no longer stand to be in the environment. He describes lying down under a linden tree, allowing the flowers to fall on him. He wishes to return to his life before his travels. He asks that the whole affair had never occurred: "Everything: love and grief, and world, and dreams!"

Original German
Die zwei blauen Augen
von meinem Schatz,
Die haben mich in die
weite Welt geschickt.
Da mußt ich Abschied nehmen vom allerliebsten Platz!
O Augen blau,
warum habt ihr mich angeblickt?
Nun hab' ich ewig Leid und Grämen!
Ich bin ausgegangen
in stiller Nacht
wohl über die dunkle Heide.
Hat mir niemand Ade gesagt
Ade!:
Mein Gesell' war Lieb und Leide!
Auf der Straße stand ein Lindenbaum,
Da hab' ich zum ersten Mal
im Schlaf geruht!
Unter dem Lindenbaum,
Der hat seine Blüten
über mich geschneit,
Da wußt' ich nicht, wie das Leben tut,
War alles, alles wieder gut!
Alles! Alles, Lieb und Leid
Und Welt und Traum!

In English
The two blue eyes
of my darling
they sent me into the
wide world.
I had to take my leave of this most-beloved place!
O blue eyes,
why did you gaze on me?
Now I have eternal sorrow and grief.
I went out into the quiet night
well across the dark heath.
To me no one bade farewell.
Farewell!
My companions are love and sorrow!
By the road stood a linden tree,
Where, for the first time,
I found rest in sleep!
Under the linden tree
that snowed its blossoms
over me,
I did not know how life went on,
and all was well again!
All! All, love and sorrow
and world and dream!

Category:

Music

Tags:

• mahler
• fahrenden
• gesellen
• zwei
• blauen
• augen

[JanetteHeffernan]

Heart breaking song. I find this Mahler son gut wrenching. Glorious song cycle.

[belcunto]

how old are you in this video?

[belcunto]

Excellent! Warm voice and expressive. Poignant memories for you?