English translations
There are a number of different English translations:Thomas Common
- O man! Take heed!
- What saith deep midnight's voice indeed?
- "I slept my sleep—
- "From deepest dream I've woke and plead:—
- "The world is deep,
- "And deeper than the day could read.
- "Deep is its woe—
- "Joy—deeper still than grief can be:
- "Woe saith: Hence! Go!
- "But joys all want eternity—
- "Want deep profound eternity!"
- O man! Take heed!
- What saith deep midnight, indeed?
- "I lay asleep, asleep—
- I waked from my deep dream.
- The world is deep,
- And deeper than even day may dream.
- Deep is its woe—
- Joy— deeper yet than woe is she:
- Saith woe: 'Hence! Go!'
- Yet joy would have eternity,
- —Profound, profound eternity!"
- O man, take care!
- What does the deep midnight declare?
- "I was asleep—
- From a deep dream I woke and swear:
- The world is deep,
- Deeper than day had been aware.
- Deep is its woe;
- Joy—deeper yet than agony:
- Woe implores: Go!
- But all joy wants eternity—
- Wants deep, wants deep eternity."
- O man! Attend!
- What does deep midnight's voice contend?
- 'I slept my sleep,
- 'And now awake at dreaming's end:
- 'The world is deep,
- 'And deeper than day can comprehend.
- 'Deep is its woe,
- 'Joy—deeper than heart's agony:
- 'Woe says: Fade! Go!
- 'But all joy wants eternity,
- 'Wants deep, deep, deep eternity!'
- Oh mankind, pray!
- What does deep midnight have to say?
- "From sleep, from sleep—
- From deepest dream I made my way:—
- The world is deep,
- And deeper than the grasp of day.
- Deep is its pain—,
- Joy—deeper still than misery:
- Pain says: Refrain!
- Yet all joy wants eternity—
- —Wants deep, wants deep eternity."