Stell auf den Tisch die duftenden Reseden,
Die letzten roten Astern trag herbei,
Und laß uns wieder von der Liebe reden,
Wie einst im Mai.
Gib mir die Hand, daß ich sie heimlich drücke,
Und wenn man’s sieht, mir ist es einerlei,
Gib mir nur einen deiner süßen Blicke,
Wie einst im Mai.
Es blüht und duftet heut auf jedem Grabe,
Ein Tag im Jahr ist ja den Toten frei,
Komm am mein Herz, daß ich dich wieder habe,
Wie einst im Mai.
Poem by Hermann von Gilm
(Place on the table the perfuming mignonettes;
bring here the last red asters;
and let us talk of love again—as once in May.
Give me your hand, so I press it secretly.
And if someone sees that, I would not mind.
Give me but one of your sweet glances—as once in May.
Today, flowers are blooming and perfuming on every grave.
One day in a year the deceased are free.
Come to my heart, so that I have you again—as once in May.)
November 2, All Souls Day, is a day of remembrances in most countries of the Western Hemisphere. Originally a religious practice, overtime regional traditions blended with liturgical rituals. More than honoring only the “faithful” ones, people celebrate the lives of their departed loved ones.
There was no mention of faith in Gilm’s poem. He wrote about setting up the room with beautiful and fragrant flower, as it would be around every grave on that particular day. The narrator talked about love and intimate connections—as once in May. Instead of lamenting his lost, he anticipated the chance, one day a year, for the renewal of love.
Richard Strauss in his setting of Gilm’s words allowed singers to narrate the story with gorgeous melodies. The pianists were given the job to depict the beautiful atmosphere, the gentle persuasion for a touching hand, and the heartthrob caused by a sweet eye contact. Eventually the passion of desire explodes yet fades quickly into, once again, quiet remembrance.
Contrary to this depiction of secrecy and intimacy, one finds boisterous celebrations and fanciful images of Los Dia de los Muertos in the movie Coco. Colorful costumes, songs and dances were all important parts of Miguel’s journey through the underworld. Paths paved with marigold lead him to fulfill his dream to reconnect with his ancestors and heritage.
Chinese people do not observe All Souls Day. Instead, on the 15th days after the Spring Equinox, which usually fall on April 5 or 6 of the Western calendar, families will gather around their ancestors burial ground, cleaning and sweeping the graves. Although there are differences in regional rituals, the observance of Qingming Festival is meant to give thanks and honoring our ancestors. Similar traditions are practiced in many other Asian countries.
Regardless of our cultural backgrounds and personal experiences, we all can appreciate the sadness of losing loved ones and the desire to be united with them. Let the love and remembrance be within us more than one day a year.
“Allerseelen,” Richard Strauss:
Performed by Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, baritone and Gerald Moore, piano.
