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Franz Schubert

Heidenröslein

"" (“Little Rose on the Heath”) is a poem by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe written in 1771 during his Strasbourg period, inspired by his relationship with Friederike Brion, the daughter of a local

Text#

Göschen version Sah ein Knab’ ein Röslein stehn, Röslein auf der Heiden, War so jung und morgenschön, Lief er schnell es nah zu sehn, Sah’s mit vielen Freuden. Röslein, Röslein, Röslein rot, Röslein auf der Heiden. Knabe sprach: “Ich breche dich, Röslein auf der Heiden.” Röslein sprach: “Ich steche dich, Dass du ewig denkst an mich, Und ich will’s nicht leiden.” Röslein, Röslein, Röslein rot, Röslein auf der Heiden. Und der wilde Knabe brach ’s Röslein auf der Heiden; Röslein wehrte sich und stach, Half ihr doch kein Weh und Ach, Musste es eben leiden. Röslein, Röslein, Röslein rot, Röslein auf der Heiden. Literal translation Saw a lad a little rose standing, Little rose upon the heath, It was so young and morning-fair, He ran quickly it near to see, He saw it with much delight, Little rose, little rose, little rose red, Little rose upon the heath. The lad said: “I will pluck you, Little rose upon the heath.” Little rose said: “I will prick you, So that you will forever think of me, and I want not to endure it.” Little rose, little rose, little rose red, Little rose upon the heath. And the willful lad plucked the little rose upon the heath; Little rose resisted and pricked, Yet helped her no pain or woe, It must be endured anyway. Little rose, little rose, little rose red, Little rose upon the heath. Bowring translation Once a boy a Rosebud spied, Heathrose fair and tender, All array’d in youthful pride,– Quickly to the spot he hied, Ravished by her splendour. Rosebud, rosebud, rosebud red, Heathrose fair and tender! Said the boy, “I’ll now pick thee, Heathrose fair and tender!” Said the rosebud, “I’ll prick thee, So that thou’lt remember me, Ne’er will I surrender!” Rosebud, rosebud, rosebud red, Heathrose fair and tender! Now the cruel boy must pick Heathrose fair and tender; Rosebud did her best to prick,– Vain ’twas ‘gainst her fate to kick– She must needs surrender. Rosebud, rosebud, rosebud red, Heathrose fair and tender!

Settings#

It has been set to music by a number of composers, most notably in 1815 by Franz Schubert as his D. 257. Schubert’s setting is partially based on Pamina’s and Papageno’s duet "" from the end of act 1 of Mozart’s The Magic Flute. The 1829 setting by Heinrich Werner (below) became a popular folk song. \new Staff >

    • *, Peter Schreier, Rudolf Buchbinder
Composer
Franz Schubert