Sing, was geschah by Himring
Fanwork Notes
This adaptation was made for the JRRT Native Languages Appreciation Fest on Tumblr.
Allusions to canonical character deaths.
- Fanwork Information
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Summary:
Adaptation of the lyrics of a German song to the Legendarium: Zogen einst fünf wilde Schwäne. (With English translation).
Major Characters: Sons of Fëanor, Elwing, Arwen
Major Relationships:
Genre: Poetry
Challenges:
Rating: Teens
Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings
Chapters: 2 Word Count: 189 Posted on Updated on This fanwork is complete.
German Version
Read German Version
Zogen sieben junge Elben
stolz und kühn zum Kampf hinaus.
„Sing, sing, was geschah?“
Keiner kehrte mehr nach Haus.
Zog einst eine wilde Schwänin,
Schwanfrau leuchtend weiß und schön.
„Sing, sing, was geschah?“
Sie ward allhier nie mehr gesehn.
Wuchs allhier ein weisser Baum
alt und morsch am Teichesrand.
„Sing, sing, was geschah?“
Er einst in Frucht und Blüte stand.
Aufwuchs eine Elbentochter
schlank und schön am Bruinen-Strand.
„Sing, sing, was geschah?“
Sie doch zuletzt den Brautkranz wand!
Chapter End Notes
The adaptation retains the rhymes, but not the syllable count, so this version does not work as a filk.
In the original, all four stanzas end unhappily.
The English translation also explains the references in the adapted version, if anything should be unclear.
English translation
Prose translation of the German version (I have retained the lineation).
Read English translation
(Sons of Feanor)
Once seven young elves,
proud and brave, departed for battle.
Sing, sing what happened?
None of them came home.
(Elwing)
Once a wild female swan flew overhead,
a swan woman, shining white and beautiful.
Sing, sing what happened?
She was not seen here again.
(White Tree of Gondor)
Here a white tree grew
old and rotten on the margin of a pool.
Sing, sing what happened?
Once it had stood in flower and borne fruit.
(Arwen)
An elven-daughter grew up,
slender and beautiful on the shore of the Bruinen.
Sing, sing what happened?
She finally wove her bridal wreath after all!
Chapter End Notes
Planning to add a bit more information on the original German song here, if I can manage it.
