After the Nazis came to power in Germany in 1933, Simon left for Zürich, where he stayed only a few months before relocating to Amsterdam, where his wife lived (though the couple had separated by this point). This piece was written between July 17th and 20th of 1933, with lyrics by Christian Morgenstern, and dedicated to Toni Appelbaum, whom Simon had formed a relationship with, though the circumstances of their initial meeting are unknown.
Dedication: Meiner lieben Toni zur Erinnerung an Sonnentage des Lebens (To my lovely Toni in remembrance of the Sundays of Life)
A literal translation of the dedication would say “sunny days” of life, but Dr. Nico Schüler, who kindly provided this translation, remarked that this is a play on words (“Sonntage” means Sundays, “Sonnentage” means sunny days)
Manuscript courtesy of Leo Baeck Institute, James Simon Collection.
Text and Translation
Singe, o singe dich, Seele, über den Eintag empor in die himmlischen Reiche der Schönheit! Bade in goldenen Strömen der Töne dich rein vom Staube der Sorgen! Was dir die Welt geraubt, vergiß es! Was dir dein Los verwehrt, genieß es im Traum! Auf klingenden Wellen kommen die heimlichsten Wunder wie Düfte ferner Gärten zu deinen leis zitternden Sinnen Singe, singe, Seele des Menschen, vom Grauen der Nächte bedroht, dich empor, wo, lichtumgürtet, der Phantasien jungfräulicher Reigen die zierlichen Füße auf nie verblühenden Wiesen verführerisch setzt
Sing, o sing yourself, soul Over the Oneday aloft into the Heavenly realm of beauty! Bathe yourself in golden streams of tones free of the dust of worries! Whatever the world stole, forget it! Whatever your fortune denied you, enjoy it in your dream! On sounding waves come the most secret wonders like fragrances of distant gardens to your quietly quavering senses. Sing, sing, soul of man, threatened by the horror of the nights, yourself aloft, where, light-engirded, the fantasies of maiden round-dances set the petite feet on never-withering meadows seductively.
Translation Notes (from Dr. Nico Schüler): The word “Eintag” in the second line of the poem isn’t a real word. Rather, it’s a play on words – “ein Tag” means “one day,” but rather than referring to a weekday (of which all are named) or daily routine, it’s an imaginary “Oneday.”
Maxfield Rivers 