This edition was prepared by Juliane Claudi — free to download, print, rehearse and perform.
Es war ein König in Thule
Staff Notation • Secular, Art songs
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Es war ein König in Thule by Carl Friedrich Zelter — Lyrics
Es war ein König in Thule,
gar treu bis an das Grab,
dem sterbend seine Buhle
einen gold'nen Becher gab.
Es ging ihm nichts darüber,
er leert' ihn jeden Schmaus,
die Augen gingen ihm über,
sooft er trank daraus.
Und als er kam zu sterben,
zählt er sein' Städt' im Reich,
ließ alles seinen Erben,
den Becher nicht zugleich.
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About Es war ein König in Thule
Carl Friedrich Zelter, a contemporary and friend of Goethe, sets a lyrical ballad by the poet for solo bass voice and piano. The text, Goethe's translation of a ballad by Sir Walter Scott, tells the story of a king in Thule who is given a golden cup by his dying lover. This cup is his most treasured possession, and he drinks from it at every feast. As he lies dying, he wills all his possessions to his heirs, except for the cup. At his final feast, he empties it one last time and throws it into the sea, a poignant act of remembrance and finality.
