An Die Musik

To Music

Orpheus, with Schubert’s Help, Saves Euridice Again

            Orpheus, so say the Greeks, looked back, and thus lost his Euridice, having been given only one chance by Hades to save his departed beloved.

            But Schubert’s song bears within itself no such tragedy. I have given it to Orpheus to use in one more try with Hades. And the combined powers of Orpheus and Schubert soften Hades’ heart once more.

            Euridice lives again, and never will maenads tear Orpheus asunder.

            Let this thought be the answer to Nietzsche’s “Birth of Tragedy from the Spirit of Music”! 

An Die Musik – lyrics by Franz von Schober

Music by Franz Schubert 

Du holde Kunst, in wieviel grauen Stunden,
Wo mich des Lebens wilder Kreis umstrickt,
Hast du mein Herz zu warmer Lieb' entzunden,
Hast mich in eine beßre Welt entrückt,
In eine beßre Welt entrückt!

Oft hat ein Seufzer, deiner Harf' entflossen,
Ein süßer, heiliger Akkord von dir,
Den Himmel beßrer Zeiten mir erschlossen,
Du holde Kunst, ich danke dir dafür,
Du holde Kunst, ich danke dir! 

To Music (my translation)

Thou sublime art, in how many gray hours,
When Life’s wild swirl has woven me round,
Hast thou lit in my heart a warm love,
Hast thou transported me to a better world,
To a better world transported!

Oft has a sigh, flowing out from thy harp,
Thy sweet, divine harmony,
Opened to me heaven’s better times,
Thou sublime art, I thank you for that,
Thou sublime art, I thank you!

Orpheus, with Schubert’s Help, Saves Euridice Again

By John Pattillo

Goest thou again to conquer Hades’ realm,

Though he had erst bestowed thee but one chance,

And thou, impatient, did your joy o’erwhelm

By this one act – the wretched backward glance.

Comes now to Thrace from out the modern world

A new in-breather for the magic lyre,

In aid of you his genius now unfurled

This new enchanter of the Muses’ fire.

Vienna’s son in strophes framed to melt,

Turns Hades’ heart once more, and makes him young,

The god uplifted to a better “welt,”

Through your beguiling strings and voice now sung.

No maenads now shall claim you for their wrath.

Euridice is yours again for aye;

Look back you may, she may, upon the path.

The gods themselves surrender to the lay.