Abschied von einem Freunde / Parting from a Friend (Franz Schubert)

Lebe wohl, du lieber Freund!
Ziehe hin in fernes Land,
Nimm der Freundschaft trautes Band,
Und bewahr's in treuer Hand!
Lebe wohl, du lieber Freund!

Lebe wohl, du lieber Freund!
Hör in diesem Trauersang
Meines Herzens innere Drang,
Tönt er doch so dumpf und bang.
Lebe wohl, du lieber Freund!

Lebe wohl, du lieber Freund!
Scheiden heisst das bitt're Wort,
Weh, es ruft Dich von uns fort
Hin an den Bestimmungsort.
Lebe wohl, du lieber Freund!

Lebe wohl, du lieber Freund!
Wenn dies Lied dein Herz ergreift,
Freundes Schatten näher schweift,
Meiner Seele Saiten streift.
Lebe wohl, du lieber Freund!


Fare thee well, O dearest friend!
Hence unto a distant land
Take my friendship's close-knit band,
Cherish it with loyal hand.
Fare thee well, O dearest friend!

Fare thee well, O dearest friend!
Hear how in sad melodies
My heart's pain revealéd is;
Yet they sound so sore amiss.
Fare thee well, O dearest friend!

Fare thee well, O dearest friend!
Parting--of all words bitterest--
Calls thee forth, belovéd best,
From us to a place of rest.
Fare thee well, O dearest friend!

Fare thee well, O dearest friend!
When this song comes to thine ear,
Thy friend's shadow lingers near;
My soul's strings are sounded clear.
Fare thee well, O dearest friend!


*Note: This is the only one of Schubert's many lieder whose text was apparently written by the composer himself, a melancholy farewell song for his friend Franz von Schober.