Am Brunnen vor dem Tore (Der Lindenbaum – The Lime Tree) – for tenor with alto descant and guitar

Description

Swabian folksong popularised by Friedrich Silcher (based on the more complex setting by Franz Schubert).

German folk song arranged for alto (as descant) tenor (singing the main melody) and guitar.
The audio was sung and recorded by me (multitracking as dwsChorale)

Am Brunnen vor dem Tore
Da steht ein Lindenbaum
Ich träumt’ in seinem Schatten
So manchen süßen Traum
Ich schnitt in seine Rinde
so manches liebes Wort
Es zog in Freud und Leide
Zu ihm mich immer fort

At the fountain by the gate
there stands an old lime tree,
Many a sweet dream I had
under its shade.
I carved into its bark,
So many dear words.
In times of joy and sadness
It always drew me back to it.

 

Ich mußt’ auch heute wandern
Vorbei in tiefer Nacht
Da hab ich noch im Dunkel
Die Augen zugemacht
Und seine Zweige rauschten
Als riefen sie mir zu:
“Komm her zu mir, Geselle
Hier findst du deine Ruh.

Even today I had to wander
past through deepest night
and even in the dark
I closed my eyes
and its branches rustled
As if calling to me:
Come to me old fellow
You’ll find your peace with me.

Die kalten Winde bliesen
Mir grad ins Angesicht
Der Hut flog mir vom Kopfe
Ich wendete mich nicht
Nun bin ich manche Stunde
Entfernt von diesem Ort
Und immer hör ich’s rauschen:
“Du fändest Ruhe dort”

The cold winds were blowing
right into my face.
My hat flew from off my head,
I did not turn back
Now I have been a long time
Away from this place
Yet still I hear its rustling whisper
“You would find peace here. ”