Trout
Singer: Schubert
Lyrics by Schubert
Composer: Schubert
Lyrics:
In einem Baechlein helle, Da schoss in froher Eil'
Inside the bright little river, there is a little trout
Die launische Forelle, Vorueber wie ein Pfeil.
Swimming briskly, like an arrow.
Ich stand an dem Gestade, Und sah in suesser Ruhe
I stood on the bank of the creek, and quietly looked toward it.
Des muntern Fischleins Bade, Im klaren Baechlein zu.
How joyfully it swam inside the clear water of the river.
Ein Fischer mit der Rute, Wohl an dem Ufer stand,
The fisherman, with his rod, also stood by the riverbank.
Und sah' mit kaltem Blute,, Wie sich das Fischlein wand.
Coldly looking at the river, trying to catch the fish.
Solang dem Wasser Helle, So dacht ich, nicht gebricht,
I secretly expect this, as long as the river is clear and bright,
So faengt er die Forelle, Mit seiner Angel nicht.
Don't try to use that hook, to catch the minnows.
Doch endlich ward dem Diebe, Die Zeit zu lang. Er macht
But the fisherman doesn't want to wait long and waste time.
Das Baechlein tueckisch truebe, Und eh ich es gedacht,
At once that river was muddied, before I could think,
So zuckte seine Rute, Das Fischlein zappelt dran,
He had then lifted his rod,, and brought the little trout to the surface.
Und ich mit regem Blute, Sah die Betrog'ne an.
I was full of excitement to see the trout deceived.
Die ihr am goldnen Quelle, Der sichern Jugend weilt,
The young man in the prime of life, standing by the golden spring,
Denkt doch an die Forelle;, Seht ihr Gefahr, so eilt!
You should be warned by the trout, that when you see danger you must pull out your legs and run!
Meist fehlt ihr nur aus Mangel, Der Klugheit, Maedchen,,
Ladies you lack heart, you are often easily deceived.
Seht Verfuehrer mit der Angel!Sonst blutet ihr zu spaet
See that the seducer holds the fishing rod! Or suffer and regret.
Expanded:
The p>The art song "Trout" was completed in 1817, when Schubert was only 22 years old, and was the only piano quintet he ever wrote, commissioned by a very wealthy Austrian patron and amateur cellist, Sylvester Paumgartne.
The Trout was originally a poem by the 18th-century German poet Schubart.
Schubart was imprisoned for political reasons and wrote the poem "Trout" because of his longing for freedom while in prison. Schubert composed the poem as a song, "Trout", and later variations of "Trout" were written as one of the movements of a quintet, which, together with the other movements, became the present version.
Schubert's quintet differs from the usual quintet in that the instrumentation consists of piano, double bass, cello, viola and violin. The double bass is seldom used as an instrument in chamber works, but Schubert uses it instead of the usual 2nd violinist.
The work is also known as "No. 114" because it was published posthumously when Schubert died, and is therefore listed in the order of publication. Although some people still use this numbering, it is now used professionally in the German-Italian catalog.
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