Ging heut Morgen übers Feld (Mahler)

Fischer Dieskau is heard here singing the second song in Mahler's orchestral song cycle Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen.

The text was written by Mahler himself. The performance is quintessential Dieskau. He sings here with abandon, beautiful phrasing and great attention to color and the text It dates from the year 1960. The cycle tells the story of a young man who takes a journey, having lost his love to a another.

The piece is a staple of singers and orchestras. But there is also a very good chamber ensemble arrangement by Schönberg, which affords the opportunity to perform the piece with smaller forces.


Ging heut Morgen übers Feld/ I walked across the fields this morning

I walked across the fields this morning;
dew still hung on the blades of grass.
The merry finch spoke to me:
"Hey! Isn't it? Good morning! Isn't it?
You! Isn't it becoming a fine world?
Chirp! Chirp! Fair and sharp!
How the world delights me!"
Also, the bluebells in the field
merrily with good spirits
tolled out to me with bells (ding, ding)
their morning greeting:
"Isn't it becoming a fine world?
Ding, ding! Fair thing!
How the world delights me!"
And then, in the sunshine,
the world suddenly began to glitter;
everything gained sound and color
in the sunshine!
Flower and bird, great and small!
"Good day,
Is it not a fine world?
Hey, isn't it? A fair world?"
Now will my happiness also begin?
No, no - the happiness I mean
can never bloom!

Translation from Lied and Art Song Texts Page (see side bar for links)