Hans Christian Andersen: 'Det er Liv at reise'

 

 H.C. Andersen: Dagbog paa en Tydsklands Reise 1831

Det er Liv at reise

 

Foraars Taagerne sig hæve,

Grøn er hver en Plet!

Det at reise er at leve,

Blodet ruller let!

Solen kalder, Blomster dufte,

Milde Sommervinde lufte;

Ud, ja ud! vi Seilet heise,

Det er Liv at reise!

 

Damp paa Bølgen, Damp paa Banen,

Fremad drage vil,

Hverken Svalen eller Svanen

Flyve bedre til

Nye Folk og nye Byer

Vexle om, som Luftens Skyer,

Held Enhver, som Seil kan heise.

Det er Liv at reise!

 

Fuglen Vingen slaaer mod Rude,

Vi maae ud, afsted!

Kundskabs Frugten groer derude,

Sundheds-Æblet med:

Flyve vil vi! Frugter plukke!

Alt det herlige, det Smukke!

Glæde! Glæde! Seil vi heise!

Det er Liv at reise!

 

 

Life’s best when you travel

 

Springtime mists have started drifting,

Green the world once more!

Travelling is life, uplifting

Hearts for what’s in store!

Flowers are scented, sun warm-glowing,

Gentle summer breezes blowing ;

Off, away! let sails unravel,

Life’s best when you travel!

 

Steam on tracks, through waves now plying

Powers us swiftly on,

Even swallows we’re outflying

Or the noble swan.

New folk, new towns, interchanging

Cloudlike we see rearranging.

Fortune smiles when sails unravel.

Life’s best when you travel!

 

Bird’s wing taps your window, states you

Must be off, away!

Fruit of knowledge there awaits you,

Apples one a day:

We will fly! Will try each flavour!

All life’s splendour, beauty savour!

Joy! Elation! Sails unravel!

Life’s best when you travel!