Auf dem Kirchhofe

Auf dem Kirchhofe

"In the churchyard" was set by Johannes Brahms (1833-1897) as op. 105 no. 4 (1887/8) and published in 1888.The text is by Detlev von Liliencron (1844-1909).This Lied was inspired by a visit Brahms made to a Swiss churchyard as well as by the poem. It is often noted that the Leo Hassler melody harmonised by Bach as "O Haupt voll Blut und Wunden" (O Sacred Head Now Wounded) in the St. Mathew Passion, makes an appearance at the appropriate moment in this song. But Eric Sams believes that its occurance in the same work as "Wenn ich einmal soll scheiden" (When I must take my leave) is the quote (more personal and secular) to which Brahms was alluding.

Lehmann recorded this Lied in 1941 with Paul Ulanowsky. Lehmann makes us believe that the storm (real or metaphysical) is taking place at the moment that she sings the words.

Der Tag ging regenschwer und sturmbewegt, The day was heavy with rain and blown by storms;
Ich war an manch vergeßnem Grab gewesen, I had stood by many a forgotten grave,
Verwittert Stein und Kreuz, die Kränze alt, where stone and cross were weather-beaten, the wreaths old
Die Namen überwachsen, kaum zu lesen. the names overgrown, hardly readable.
Der Tag ging sturmbewegt und regenschwer, The day was blown by storms and heavy with rain;
Auf allen Gräbern fror das Wort: Gewesen. on every grave froze the words"we were." [departed]
Wie sturmestot die Särge schlummerten, How still amid the storm the coffins slumbered.
Auf allen Gräbern taute still: Genesen. On every grave melted quietly the words: "we were healed." [The word play on 'gewesen' and 'genesen' cannot be well translated. Like much poetry the exact meaning in German isn't even clear!]

Back to Top

Previous Page

This site is supported by the Lotte Lehmann Foundation, a non-profit entity. You can support the Foundation and its goals. Contributions are tax deductible. Find out how.