Du kannst fliegen, ja, Du kannst!
The giant first step on the project has been provided by Kerstin; we thank her so very much. Then also Karl Stice collaborated to provide an English poetical version that fits. Kerstin also reminds us of the strong Otto Lilienthal Museum.
And we welcome her point to: Lilienthal`s "Großer Doppeldecker" Flugversuch -- a replica effort.Hi,
Here's my re-writing of the English translation; I think you'll find it more poetical.
By the way, there's a musical piano piece that to my mind really captures this spirit : it's Schumann's "Abschied" ( from his work "Waldscenen" ; "abschied "in English means : "farewell " )
here's a youtube link, go listen to it's soaring melody, and imagine the last moments of our dear Otto, as he leaves us; I know you will be moved by this music, let your tears flow:
http://fr.youtube.com/watch?v=kjSfDvcW1Us
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Lilienthal's Traum - Lilienthal's dream -
English translation by Karl Stice
(with thanks to Kerstin).
Here's the original lyrics in German:----- Lilienthals Traum lyrics
Er weiss, dass seine Reise hier zu Ende gehen wird,
|
He knows that his
journey will end here, On this train-wagon cot, that's where. The doctor and Gustav whisper and they whisper about him. Came to Stölln to fetch him home to Berlin. Wheels hammer on the tracks, Images running past fast: Mother at the piano, playing Schumann's "Traemerei". Family home in Anklam, school, failure and goodbye. Hiding for days with Gustav in summer meadows. Watching the storks weightless rounds, Their rising, soaring, now understanding and suspecting: You can fly, yes you can! Let the wind blow from before, Spread your wings, you'll see: You can fly, yes you can! First flight attempts ,the villagers laughed. To escape ridicule, he tries only at night. A new construction, a new technique. The number 4771, his first patent! Agnes by the house and garden in long black robe, Agnes of full zest for life, Agnes, full of warmth. Going with the children to the windmill hill on Sundays. Seeing the world from bird's-eye view, On giant cotton covered willow rod wings. Summer 1891 and now he'll succeed! You can fly, yes you can! Let the wind blow from before, Spread your wings, you will see: You can fly, yes you can! How the bars creak, how the wind sings in the wires. How the wing gently and eagle-like swings o'er the horizon. How the rise and fall of the air lifts his flying machine! His legs are quite numb, how long has it already been? The doctor from Rhinow says the blow Hit the third vertebra, whatever this means. What will Agnes feel, and the children, when they'll know? Agnes was anxious, never without fears all these years. One can't explain this longing to fly, one must experience it by those three steps to the precipice and then the floating happiness ! You can fly, yes you can! Let the wind blow from before. Spread your wings, you will see: You can fly, yes you can! A good wind from the east on this Sunday in August. Already the first flight floats far to the valley, And now soaring his desire, for The second will go still further. But the wind tears him steeply upwards there, standing almost still; he pulls his legs and torso up. The wind's veering him 'round, he is no longer calm, And now he's rushing down at earth from sky. He cannot change the fall , uncontrollably gone. With a crashing comes the right wing. Was he reckless? Or an accident, that he crashed? He will never let his dream be dashed. You can fly, yes you can! Let the wind blow from before. Spread your wings, you will see: You can fly, yes you can! Then sleep comes like a good, dear friend. Good that he is returning home again. This Man's first step towards flight, It was worth it, by God's might! Others will succeed, and man will yet fly 'round the world, if he wills. And then will he escape from narrowness and bonds. With all limits and struggles overcome! He hears the children's voices, he feels Agnes near. In this darkening wagon, He is quite near to his dream now: He sees the storks flying; sees himself in their bright round dance. Free and weightless, knowing now, how to soar heavenwards in the sunlight. You can fly, you can! Let the wind blow from before. Spread your wings, you will see: You can fly, yes you can! |
Karl Stice gave a first level (which will be formed into further American English in due time).
Karl gives us further labor of love:
und, danke schöne,
Kerstin, for inspiring me to finish the translation into English of this
beautiful song.
cheers, Karl Stice