Song of the Silent Land
(Lied: Ins Stille Land)
BY JOHANN GAUDENZ VON SALIS-SEEWIS
INTO the Silent Land!
Ah! who shall lead us thither?
Clouds in the evening sky more darkly gather
And shattered wrecks lie thicker on the strand.
Who leads us with a gentle hand 5
Thither oh thither
Into the Silent Land?
Into the Silent Land!
To you ye boundless regions
Of all perfection! Tender morning-visions 10
Of beauteous souls! The Future's pledge and band!
Who in Life's battle firm doth stand
Shall bear Hope's tender blossoms
Into the Silent Land!
O Land! O Land! 15
For all the broken-hearted
The mildest herald by our fate allotted
Beckons and with inverted torch doth stand
To lead us with a gentle hand
To the land of the great Departed 20
Into the Silent Land!