ELILAND - SONG OF CHIEMSEE
A SONG CYCLE BY ALEXANDER von FIELITZ
WORDS BY K. STIELER
ENGLISH VERSION BY JEFFREY A. BENTON
1.In my cell so silent by the cool blue water sorrow is mine. So well sustaining, always complaining, yes. all the time. My life is given to God in heaven to him alone. I'll change not ever my life is never. never my own. Oh. never my own.
2. Spring came at last with May winds mild I gazed across the water. The convent took a nobleman child. to take her last vows they brought her. Her name is Irmingard. they said, I saw her doubt and misgiving. garlands and veil adorned her head and all the nuns were singing. But her distress she could not conceal my tears were overflowing; and in my heart. my beating heart the bud of sweet love was growing.
3. So many roses red. for her I gathered down by the shore. The breezes sent my flowers across the water, she found them all. She made a garland at church she wore it; Ah sweet distress from my red roses on her cheeks so shyly the blushes caress.
4. Oh Irmingard how fair you are. no one ever could be sweeter beneath the linden tree she walks the sun brightly shines to greet her. O Irmingard like silver bells your song to me is ringing on wings of love to your garden from here my greetings so tender are bringing. So shyly the song birds hide in the trees so deep in the boughs above her so as you walk and vou think of me will they our love discover. Oh Irmingard my fairest love.
5. My favourite trees, the lindens grow along the strand and playfully waves gently ebb and flow on the silver sand. And the linden flowers invade my mind. with fragrant perfume be still my heart your fate resigned Why did love bloom?
6. With our returning fishermen a boy came to us one day, I called to him and on my knee I took him. and said in play 'Of all the nuns my son. who is the fairest in your regard?' With glance so sharp. his eyes so blue and certain
'It's Irmingard.'
7. 1 watch the silent starry skies while on my bed I'm lying, the lake so blue between us lies it's waves are faintly sighing A cloud conceals the moon from sight my heart has no more feeling Oh Irmingard your cheeks so white how closely drawn your veiling.
8. See the alps. the mountain ranges how they shine in morning light that I there might still now wander when the woods are de~' bright, Oh to be there free forever as I once was long ago. Sharpened arrows in my quiver sing and tarry, here and there, where the hanging branches hide me through the woods and in the dale and with Irmingard beside me. Roaming free without her veil.
9. Now all my songs are ended How hard it is to part. The winter has returned now, for songs that filled my' heart. The abbot called in anger and to his cell I'm brought. He spoke 'Thy heart should ever be of the purest thought.' The secret songs you've written are in the open now, cursed be thy sinful loving a curse be on Irmingard. 'Before this day' is over then swear before my sight of all thy secret love songs not one will see the light.'