Show THE SINGERS SINGER'S CURSE Ballad by Ludwig Uhland Upland Ada Adaptation tation by G. G N. N There stood a a. castle high and proud I ward out-ward toward the I 1 looking Far-looking sea c Fair gardens round about it grew r rw w Where cool springs babbled in their glee t tr trA A proud king rich in lands and might cl Sat grim and pale upon his throne J 5 1 Terror and rage in thoughts and looks His joy is in a sufferers sufferer's groan i Two minstrels minstrel's neared the castle gate One haired golden-haired one bent and gray L The harper old upon his horse i c i The stripling walked with footsteps gay The harper bade the younger choose The Th deepest song the fullest tone The utmost power of joy and pain To touch the old kings king's heart of stone 1 c f The minstrels now are in the hall Where sit the king in awful state i r iV In contrast to the lovely queen 5 Who sits his sweet and gentle mate r The old man softly struck the strings f Fr The music swelled up rich and higher The youngers younger's voice rose sweet and clear cleary w. w y In melody of angels angel's choir jf r He sang the golden time of love Of Freedom Honor Faith sublime He sang of all the joys of men Of all the heights to which men climb 1 t P The pages left their jests and games The warriors knelt in prayer apart f 11 t The Th e queen d. d dissolved I ve d. d in pain pam an and d joy i Gave him the rose from next her heart Youve charmed my people wooed my wife n It f The king in trembling fury cried Then straight his sword had made gush forth 3 H J The life-blood life and the song had died r. ti The listeners fled beneath the storm 11 r The harper clasped the dying boy wi 4 And bore him from the hall J i I v gently rt 1 I f Where once there was melody and joy joy joy- t t a i 1 It Before the door the harper stopped J 1 J 1 By a pillar grand he laid his harp And with one sharp blow f i 1 His voice rang solemnly and sharp n DV T Ye proud walls let all sweet notes cease r 4 Within thy gates nor breathe sweet song J in But ever sighs and groans and tears Avenging God stamp out the wrong Woe be to ye fair gardens bright j I make ye witness of this sin w 1 0 That ye may wither at this sight r rAnd E ft And desert be where bloom has been I f c. c I Woe be to thee most cursed of kings r y be f 0 In vain be all thy strive for fame t. t Thy name shall be to ages lost Like groans that from the dying came II x r J The old man prayed and God looked down I The stately halls hals in ruins lie w But one high pillar marks the spot 1 Which cleft is shaken by a sigh A desert where were gardens gay No springs the sand disperse No songs no epics praise the king 0 Unfruitfulness the singers singer's curse Fl t t V q i c i f t l r. r it l i Awl ft 1 K 1 w w fc h iV JliI |