“Holde Kunst” is German for “sacred art” or “gracious art.”
It’s from the poem “An die Musik” (To Music) by Franz von Schober (1798-1882), which became the lyrics to the song by Franz Peter Schubert, op. 88 no. 4, D. 547 (1817), published in 1827.
Du holde Kunst,
in wieviel grauen Stunden,Wo mich des Lebens
wilder Kreis umstrickt, Hast du mein Herz
zu warmer Lieb entzunden, Hast mich in eine
beßre Welt entrückt!
Oft hat ein Seufzer,
deiner Harf’ entflossen,
Ein süßer, heiliger
Akkord von dir
Den Himmel beßrer
Zeiten mir erschlossen, Du holde Kunst,
ich danke dir dafür! | O gracious art,
how often in dark hours,
when the savage ring of life
tightens round me.
Have you kindled
warm love in my heart,
have transported me
to a better world!
So often has a sigh
from thy harp drifted,
A chord from thee,
holy and full of bliss,
A glimpse of better times
from heaven lifted.
Thou sacred art,
my thanks to thee for this. |
Translation source
Last updated on Dec 21, 2007 at 12:53 by John Gibbons
