Symphony No. 2 in C Minor “Resurrection” - V. Finale. In Tempo des Scherzos

Song Meaning

The lyrics paint a vivid picture of resurrection, moving from the dust of the earth to an immortal existence. The opening lines, "Aufersteh'n, ja aufersteh'n wirst du / Mein Staub, nach kurzer Ruh!" immediately establish a sense of profound rebirth after a period of rest. This isn't just a gentle awakening; it's a divine intervention, where "Unsterblich Leben / Wird, der dich rief, dir geben." The imagery of a harvest, with "Der Herr der Ernte geht / Und sammelt Garben / Uns ein, die starben!," suggests a gathering of souls, a final, purposeful collection after life's toil. The central tension lies in the struggle between doubt and unwavering faith, particularly in the face of suffering and loss. The repeated plea, "O glaube, mein Herz, o glaube," underscores this internal battle. The narrator implores their own heart to trust that nothing is truly lost, that "Dein ist, ja dein, was du geliebt, was du gestritten!" This powerful affirmation aims to reconcile the pain of earthly existence with the promise of eternal reward, asserting that the very act of living, loving, and fighting has inherent value. The most striking craft element is the dramatic confrontation and ultimate triumph over pain and death. The lyrics personify these forces, declaring, "O Schmerz! Du Alldurchdringer! / Dir bin ich entrungen" and "O Tod! Du Allbezwinger! / Nun bist du bezwungen!" This direct address transforms abstract concepts into vanquished foes. The imagery of "Mit Flügeln, die ich mir errungen / In heißem Liebesstreben" suggests that the very passion and effort of life, not just divine grace, equip the soul for its ascent towards an ineffable "Licht." Ultimately, these lyrics resonate because they offer a powerful narrative of overcoming. The cyclical promise, "Was entstanden ist, das muß vergehen! / Was vergangen, auferstehen!," provides a framework for understanding life and death not as endpoints, but as transitions. The final exhortation, "Sterben werd' ich, um zu leben! / Aufersteh'n, ja aufersteh'n wirst du / Mein Herz, in einem Nu!," encapsulates this profound transformation, suggesting an instantaneous, almost miraculous shift from mortality to eternal life, carried by the very struggles and loves of the past.