H.C. Andersen: 'Kulbrænderen'

 

Kulbrænderen

 

Mellem Skovens Graner her

Skinner Ildens røde Skjær;

Kulsort Røg fra Hytten gaaer;

Foran Ilden Svenden staaer,

Og belyst af Træets Glød,

Seer han ud, halv sort, halv rød;

Han de store Masser vender,

Dybere det brænder.

 

Lænet til sin Løfte-Stang, 

Nynner han en gammel Sang: 

»Granen voxer Aar for Aar, 

Altid lige grøn den staaer, 

Som min Kjærlighed saa skjøn, 

Altid grøn, men dunkelgrøn!« 

Sangen ingen Trøst ham sender, 

– Dybere det brænder.

 

 

The charcoal burner

 

’Mongst the forest’s spruce trees here

Gleams the fire’s red glow so clear;

From the hut comes coal-black smoke;

By the fire the man must stoke,

And lit by the wood’s strong gleam

He half-black, half-red does seem;

As the huge piles he is turning

Deeper still it’s burning.

 

Leaning on his lifting-pole

He a song hums known of old:

‘Year by year the spruce grows grand

Always just as green it stands,

Lovely as my love’s has been,

Always green , but deep, deep green!’

But the song him comfort's spurning

– Deeper still it’s burning.