Kirsten Flagstad: Wagner - Der fliegende Holländer, ’Senta’s Ballad’

Kirsten Målfrid Flagstad (12 July 1895 – 7 December 1962) was a Norwegian opera singer and a highly regarded Wagnerian soprano. She ranks among the greatest singers of the 20th century, and many opera critics called hers “the voice of the century.“ Desmond Shawe-Taylor wrote of her in the New Grove Dictionary of Opera: “No one within living memory surpassed her in sheer beauty and consistency of line and tone.“... Lyrics & English Translation Yohohoway! Yoho! Yoho! Did you ever encounter that ship in the sea, with Blood-Red sails and a black mast? On her high Bridge, the pale man, the ship’s master, watches Without rest! Hoy! How the wind howls! Yohoway! Hoy! How it whistles in the rigging! Yohoway! Hoy! Like an arrow he flies on, without aim, Without rest, without peace! Yet, redemption can still be found for that pale Man one day, should he ever find a woman who Will remain faithful to him until death on this Earth! Ah! When will you find her, pale seaman? Pray to heaven that soon a woman will keep faith With him! In a violent storm, in raging winds, he once sought To round a cape; He cursed and swore in a mad fit Saying “In all eternity, I’ll not give up!“ Hoy! And Satan heard it! Yohoway! Hoy! Took him at his word! Yohoway! Hoy! Now damned, he roams throughout the seas, Without rest and without peace! Yet, so that the poor man should still be able to Find redemption on this earth, the angel of God Showed him the path to salvation! Ah! If only you Could find it, pale seaman! Every seven years, he sets anchor and goes on shore To woo a woman. He has wooed every seven years, But has not ever found a faithful woman. Hoy! “Hoist the anchor!“ Yohoway! Hoy! “Raise the sails Yohoway! Hoy! “False love, false faithfulness! Off to sea, Without rest, without peace!“ A link to this wonderful artists personal website: Please Enjoy! I send my kind and warm regards,