CEFR Level B2-C1
The Background
When I was in high school and college, I was embarrassed to write on my music. I thought it meant that I wasn’t smart enough to remember something. I was worried that if I wrote an expression note or put in a breath mark, my flute teacher would tell me that I was wrong. They usually did tell me that if I wrote in something on my own. Even though I know they were doing their teacher job, it made me learn to not trust myself.
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At a piano lesson recently, my teacher followed the typical pattern by asking me to start with a scale. I groaned out loud and stopped just shy of banging my head on the keys. She looked at me incredulously and asked, “Did you seriously just say ‘ugh!’?”
You are where I find calm.
The myst’ry “you” that is my rest. The undisclosed “you” of this psalm. Kisses under the palm. Lover’s steps coming from the west. You are where I find calm. Not compared to napalm, Sweetly we sleep, snug in your nest. The undisclosed “you” of this psalm. I praise You without qualm. Worshiping You pours out my best. You are where I find calm. Your presence is my balm. Singing songs, peace is also zest. You are where I find calm. The undisclosed “you” of this psalm. If it is true that most piano music in the 1800s was written for girls and women and one takes the view that the lyrics of the song “Du bist die Ruh” request a visit from an illicit lover, then that gives a different feeling to this popular Lied (classical music song in German) by Franz Schubert and Friedrich Rückert.
Was this poem that Schubert turned into a song written so young women could sexually fantasize or give coded messages to secret lovers? To wholeheartedly embrace that theory seems sensationalist, even as it feels perfectly in tune with human nature. I wonder what parental conversations were about this song. What was wondered, but never recorded? I can imagine one parent saying, “Don’t let our daughter learn that risque song! It will give her ideas about how to sneak around with boys. It could ruin her life!” And the other responding, “It’s fine! Everyone is singing it. You’re reading too much into it. It’s just music.” In modern times, “Duh bist die Ruh” is taught to student singers. Singers of classical music quickly get used to learning standard repertoire with lyrics that do not represent their own attitudes. They even devote themselves to learning songs that express ideas precisely opposite of their values. “Du bist die Ruh” is often interpreted as a beautiful love song. It can also be considered a spiritual song where the object of the singer’s devotion is God. But if it is true that this song speaks of afternoon trysts and booty calls, that is an uncomfortable thought. Imagine teaching this song, and this particular interpretation, to a high school or college student! Considering that some parents think that classical music is “safe” for their young adults, this particular interpretation may be jarring or offensive. Then again, it doesn’t take much looking into classical music to find all sorts of objectionable ideas set to song. From a different perspective, perhaps this interpretation makes the song more interesting to sing and more relatable to today’s mores. Maybe this is a reminder that humans are the same throughout history. The specifics may change, but the core motivations and concerns are constant. Franz Schubert wrote the music for the song “Du bist die Ruh.” Schubert wrote many songs and other compositions before he died at age 31. His lieder* (classical music songs, also called art songs, in German) are popular among classical music singers and listeners.
Schubert was a musical prodigy who sang and played multiple instruments. Although he studied music for several years as a child, he eventually became an academic teacher at his father’s school. While teaching, he continued to compose. After four years, Schubert quit teaching to pursue a career in music. He had some successes, but many setbacks. Despite his many compositions, he did not make much money. Eventually, in 1821, Schubert began selling his songs as a subscription service. Remember, this was the era when many middle-class households had pianos and well-educated young women were expected to play the piano. It was during this period that Schubert set Friedrich Rückert’s poem to music and titled the piece “Du bist die Ruh.” This subscription service did not meet Schubert’s financial needs. He tried to land music jobs, but couldn’t get hired. He did some academic teaching to try to get by. During this time, he contracted a chronic illness. Through it all, he continued to compose. In the last year of his life, Schubert experienced some musical success. Unfortunately, the illness progressed and he died in 1828. Now, almost two centuries after his death, Franz Schubert's Lieder, including “Du bist die Ruh '' are often sung by students and professional musicians. *Also written as “Lieder” Sources “Du bist die Ruh” on Oxford Song; Accessed 2023, September 8. “Female education, reading and Jane Austen” by Kathryn Sutherland on British Library; Accessed 2023, September 8. “Franz Schubert” on Biography; Accessed 2023, September 8. “Franz Schubert” on Wikipedia; Accessed 2023, September 8. “Gender-based social conventions influenced development of musical instruments” by Kilden on Psys.org; Accessed 2023, September 8. Friedrich Rückert (Ruckert) wrote many poems in many styles. Some of these poems were set to music by other people, including Franz Schubert.
Rückert wrote a poem that was either untitled or called “Kehr’ ein bei mir!” The free internet is unclear on this point. What is clear is that Franz Schubert used the text of the poem and titled his song “Du bist die Ruh,” the first line of the poem. Rückert was more than a prolific poet. He was university educated and taught himself Middle-Eastern and Asian languages. It is said that he knew 30 languages and worked as a translator. He was a professor of “Oriental” languages before resigning to devote himself to writing. Many of Rückert’s poems were inspired by current events. In the early 1800s, Germany was defending itself against Napoleon’s attempts to add the country to his empire. Rückert wrote poetry that expressed how the German people felt about these events. At other times in his life, Rückert wrote romantic poetry about his wife and laments when his children died. Among the hundreds of poems Rückert wrote, the one that became the song “Du bist die Ruh” is part of the Oestliche Rosen volume. “Du bist die Ruh” is among the many Rückert poems turned into songs that student and advanced singers might learn. Oh, and there appears to be a 20th-century field hockey player of the same name. I wonder who else had this name but didn’t make it into published history? Sources “Du bist die Ruh” by Richard on Figures of Speech; Access 2023, September 8. “Friedrich Rückert” on Britannica; Accessed 2023, September 8. “Friedrich Rückert” by Richard on Figures of Speech; Accessed 2023, September 8. “Friedrich Rückert” on Mahler Foundation; Accessed 2023, September 8. “Friedrich Rückert” on Wikipedia; Accessed 2023, September 8. 1. “Du bist die Ruh” is a German art song.
In the U.S., a song in the broad category of classical music is called an art song. If the song is in the German language, it might be called a “lieder,” which is German for “songs.” More properly, a single song would be a “lied.” 2. The lyrics of “Du bist die Ruh” are a poem. In other words, Friedrich Rückert wrote a poem. Later, Franz Schubert wrote music for the poem. This is different from when one person writes words intending them to be the lyrics of a song and someone else writes music for those lyrics. 3. “Du bist die Ruh” was first published in 1826. It is believed it was composed three years earlier in 1823. On the free internet, I was unable to find out why there was a delay in publication. Perhaps it was as mundane as that there was no reason for Schubert to publish it immediately. 4. “Du bist die Ruh” is a standard for student and professional singers. There are some songs, like this one, that a singer learns as a student, but continues to work on +throughout their life. Songs like this are simple enough to use as a learning piece, but also complex enough to challenge the most accomplished musician. 5. “Du bist die Ruh” has been arranged for male and female voices. You can hear basses, tenors, altos, and sopranos sing this song. 6. There is no clear object of the song’s text. For some songs, the lyrics make it clear that the text is addressed to a romantic interest or some other obvious recipient. In others, the history of the composer suggests who the lyrics are intended to address. In “Du bist die Ruh,” there is no such clarity. Some interpreters think the poem is erotic, but in the oblique way that would have been accepted by polite society in the 1800s. |
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Jill Hames is a writer, musician, biblical studies teacher, and ESL tutor who finds life too interesting to pick a niche. She has a B.A. in Music and Spanish, a Masters in Library and Information Science, is TEFL.org 168-hour certified to teach English as a second language, and is working towards a Master of Divinity. Jill is a member of Delta Omicron and the International Women's Writing Guild.
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Copyright 2025
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Copyright 2025