Today I am have rested my pen on the rickety fence between two themes. The blog's theme of exotic places and the theme of translation. When the topic first came up, I ordered a couple of books with the intent of trying to find some gem to work on but ended up emailing my Austausch 2000 partner from our school's German exchange - aaah the wonders of Facebook! Being the little star that she is, Jenny sent me a copy of her favorite poem as follows.
Hi Lisa!I'm glad tha I can help you, so your old german friend is not useless The first poem which came into my mind is a poem that I red as a teenager and is about the meaning of "home".
It ist from a famous german novelist and poet named Theodor Fontane.Here it comes:"Heimat. von Theodor FontaneHeimat.Ich bin hinauf, hinab gezogen
und suchte Glück und sucht' es weit,
es hat mein Suchen mich betrogen,
und was ich fand, war Einsamkeit.Ich hörte, wie das Leben lärmte
ich sah sein tausendfarbig Licht;
es war kein Licht, das mich erwärmte,
und echtes Leben war es nicht.Und endlich bin ich heimgegangen
zu alter Stell' und alter Lieb',
und von mir ab fiel das Verlangen,
das mich einst in die Ferne trieb.Die Welt, die fremde, lohnt mit Kränkung,
was sich umwerbend, ihr gesellt;
das Haus, die Heimat, die Beschränkung,
die sind das Glück und sind die Welt."I hope that will help you and that the translation of it will explain the meaning of the poem otherwise I will try to explain Me and my family are doing well, hope the same with you.Lots of love an have fun with the translation Jenny
And here is my ensuing attempt at translation. I haven't attempted to keep the rhyme because I was fearful of losing the meaning in the heartfelt sentiment. You can visit all the exotic and exciting places in the world, but home is where you want to come back to.Homeland. by Theodor Fontane
Homeland.
I searched high and lowSought happiness at great lengths,But my search, it deceived me,and what I found was loneliness.I heard how life clamoredI saw its thousand-coloured light;There was no light, I was fooledIt was not real life.And finally I've come hometo aging 'and old lovers'Gone from me is the longingthat once drove me into the distance.The world, strange, laden with mortification,for those courting, joined to her;the house, the home, those tieswhich are true happiness and the whole world. I hope here it is done justice. I love the sounds in the German language and the original poem is lovely to listen to.ThanksL x
