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The Poetry of Folksong, Heinrich Heine

by Traute Klein, AKA biogardener

Heinrich Heine is a master of German Romantic poetry. He embraces the high standard which Goethe set in linking to the rich folkloric heritage of the German language.

The Poetry of Language

I have written a series of four articles on the German language and its effect on the character of the German people.
1. The innovative language of Martin Luther's Bible translation.
   
2. The folkloric language of Johann Wolgang von Goethe
   
3. In the current article, we examine Goethe's legacy as seen in Heinrich Heine's folksong-style poems.
   
4. From Heine we skip to Manitoba's beloved Paul Hiebert, the comedic translator of Heine's poetry.
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The Romantic Poets

Heinrich Heine, 1797-1856, was a poet of his time. Like Goethe and the poets of the Romantic movement, he showed himself to be a true citizen of the world, a citizen who owed his first allegiance to his native country, its language and traditions. Most Germans worldwide can probably recite the entire text of his most famous poem, "Die Lorelei," because it is sung as a folksong. I grew up believing that, in fact, "Die Lorelei" is a folksong and that both author and composer are unknown. I was in my twenties before I heard the truth while enrolled in a German course at the University of Manitoba.

Heine's writings were banned in Germany since 1835 because, like other youthful romantics, he supported French revolutionary endeavors. Not the thing to do in a Germany that was united for the first time in history in an effort to drive Napoleon from its borders! Heine spent the rest of his life in France, but he could never deny his love and mastery of the German language.

Why have I chosen to talk about Heine rather than any of the many other Romantic poets who wrote in the folkloric style? Simple. His example demonstrates that the love of language supersedes all political restrictions. Like Luther and Goethe before him, Heine spoke the language of the commom people in poetic beauty. The poetry which flowed from his pen pervades the consciousness of the German psyche. About 3000 of his poems have been set to music in Lieder cycles by no lesser composers than Schumann, Schubert, and Brahms, but also by composers with a folkloric touch like Friedrich Silcher who composed the music of the Lorelei.

Don't ever try to convince a German that "Die Lorelei" is not a folksong, because author and composer are known. We won't believe you. Furthermore we don't care. Die Lorelei is a folksong. That's all there is to it.

In the Footsteps of Goethe

Like many poets of his day, Heine followed the example which Goethe set, a tradition of travel to enrich his connection to the outside world and to his own country. Every personal experience and encounter gave rise to a poem. Many German poets to this day have been emulating Goethe in word and in action, because he was the master who set the highest of standards. A look at the titles of Heine's writing reveals his close resemblance to the lifestyle of Goethe. A chronological publication of the titles of the poetry can almost be read like a diary. Many of Heine's writings have titles which trace the routes of his travels.

The Creation of a Legend

The 1823-1824 section of his Buch der Lieder (Book of Songs) is entitled "Die Heimkehr" (The Homecoming). The second song in that section is the immortal Lorelei. Mark Twain's travels also are reflected in his writings, and on one of his travels, he penned the best translation of the poem that I know of.

Heine's use of folkloric language best mirrors the soul of the German people, and for this reason, his song has replaced all other versions of the Lorelei legend. The common people consider it to be the only version. All others have practically been forgotten. They are known only to scholars of literary history.

A Note on the Text of the Poetry

There is no text in this article, but all the texts mentioned, plus many more, are linked in the appropriate places. Follow the links and you can read the texts in German, English and various other languages. You will even find the melody with piano accompaniment linked on a site which features a rich assortment of folk music of many nations.

A Few Good Links

Die Lorelei, the German text by Heine

Music of the Lorelei Listen to the song on the piano and sing along. This site has a wide assortment of songs from many nations.

Mark Twain's translation of the Lorelei, the best translation I know of.

The Rhine Valley a page of links by Wilhelm Hermann, whose photos are used above by permission.

Panoramic Look from the Lorelei Rock into the Rhine Valley with an insert of the Rock.

Map of the Rhine Valley with the Lorelei opposite St. Goar

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