What light is that shining there?
ls day dawning already?
Loge's legions ring the rock with fire
lt is still night
Why are we not spinning and singing?
lf we spin and sing ...
... what will you wind the rope on?
Come fair, come foul ...
... l'll twine the rope and sing
At the world ash tree once l wove ...
... when from its trunk thrust, big and strong ...
... a green forest of noble branches
ln its shadow ...
... bubbled a spring ...
... whispering wisdom as its waters welled
There l sang of holy things
An intrepid god came to drink at the spring
One of his eyes he paid as forfeit for ever
From the ash tree Wotan broke a branch ...
A spearshaft ...
... he cut from the trunk
ln the course of time ...
... the wound laid waste the wood
The foliage faded and fell
The tree decayed and died
Sadly the water dwindled in the well
Melancholy became my song
So today l weave at the world ash no more
The fir must suffice me to fasten the rope
Sing, sister
l throw it to you
Do you know what will happen?
Runes of honest covenants ...
... Wotan carved in the spearshaft
He carried it as custodian of the world
An audacious hero shattered the spear in combat
ln fragments fell the sacred register of contracts
Wotan bade Valhalla's heroes hack to pieces ...
... the withered boughs of the ash, together with its trunk
The ash tree fell
The spring dried up for ever
Today l fasten the rope to the jagged rock
Sing, sister. l throw it to you
Do you know what will happen?
Still soars the stronghold the giants built
With his clan of gods and heroes ...
... Wotan sits in its hall
A pile of hewn logs ...
... is heaped around the hall
This once was the world ash!
When the wood burns bright and fierce ...
... the fire will scorch the splendid hall
The end of the eternal gods ...
... will then fall for ever
Do you remember?
Wind the rope anew
From the north l throw it back to you
Spin, sister ...
... and sing!
Does day dawn?
Or is it the fire flickering?
My eyes grow dim and deceive me
l cannot clearly recall the past ...
... when Loge flared in fiery flame
Do you know what happened to him?
By the magic of his spear ...
... Wotan tamed him
He gave the god advice
To gain his freedom he gnawed at the notches in the shaft
Then with the spear's point ...
... Wotan conjured him ...
... to burn round Brunnhilde's rock
Do you know what will happen to him?
The shattered spear's splinters ...
... Wotan will one day plunge deep in the heart of the glow
Ravaging flame will flare from it
This the god will fling ...
... at the world-ash logs
Do you want to know ...
... when that will be?
Pass me the rope, sisters!
Night is fading
l can discern no more
l can no longer find the strands of the rope
The weft is tangled
A confused sight perplexes my senses
Alberich once stole the Rhinegold
Do you know what happened to him?
The jagged edge is cutting the rope
The strands no longer stretch tight. The texture is tangled
From need and greed l see the Nibelung's ring rise
An avenging curse gnaws at my braided strands
- Do you know what will happen? - The rope is too slack
lf l am to direct its end to the north, it must be tighter!
lt has snapped!
Our eternal knowledge is at an end!
The world will know nothing more of our wisdom
Down!
To mother!
To new deeds, dear hero!
How would l love you if l did not let you go?
One anxiety makes me hesitate ...
... that l was too meagre a reward for you!
What the gods taught me ...
... l have given you ...
... a rich hoard of holy runes
But of the strength of my maidenly inheritance ...
... l was bereft by the hero ...
... to whom now l bow
Drained of knowledge ...
... but full of desire ...
... rich in love ...
... but deprived of strength
Do not despise the poor creature ...
... who can grudge you nothing, but give no more!
More you gave me, wondrous woman ...
... than l know how to husband
Do not be angry if your teaching has left me untutored!
Yet one thing l cling to ...
... that Brunnhilde lives for me!
One lesson l have easily learned ...
... to think of Brunnhilde!
lf you would reward me with love ...
... think only of yourself
Think of your deeds
Think of the fire ...
... through which you fearlessly forced a way ...
... when it flamed around the rock
To win Brunnhilde!
Think of the woman beneath the shield ...
... whom you found fast asleep ...
... whose helmet you tore off
To waken Brunnhilde!
Think of the vows that unite us ...
... think of our mutual trust ...
... think of the love in which we live ...
... then Brunnhilde will burn for ever ...
... like a sacred flame in your breast!
l must leave you here, my dearest ...
... in the sacred custody of the fire
ln return for your wisdom ...
... l give you this ring
Of whatever deeds l wrought ...
... the virtue resides within it
l slew a savage dragon ...
... who had long guarded it
Now take its power ...
... as the pledge of my troth!
l prize this as my sole possession!
Now for the ring take my horse!
With me he used to run his course through the air
With me he lost his power
Far above the clouds in thunder and lightning ...
... no more will he make his way
But wherever you lead him, even through the fire ...
... Grane will follow fearlessly
He will obey you, my hero!
Care for him well!
He will heed your words
Often give Grane ...
... Brunnhilde's greeting!
Shall l then perform further deeds of valour through your virtue?
You select my combats
My triumphs reflect on you
Astride your steed, sheltered by your shield ...
... l no longer count myself Siegfried
l am but Brunnhilde's arm
Could Brunnhilde but be your soul!
My spirit is kindled by her
Then you would be Siegfried and Brunnhilde
Wherever l am shall we both be found
Then my rocky home will be uninhabited?
lt will hold us both since we are one
Sacred gods!
Supreme beings!
Feast your eyes on this dedicated pair!
Apart, who shall separate us?
Separate ...
... we shall never part!
Hail, Brunnhilde, radiant star!
Hail, Siegfried, victorious light!
Hail, resplendent love!
Hail, resplendent life!
Now hark, Hagen!
Tell me, hero ...
... can l hold my head high on the Rhine?
Does Gunther maintain Gibich's glory?
Your legitimate title fills me with envy
Grimhilde, who bore us as brothers, bade me observe it
l envy you. Do not envy me!
Though l inherited the first-born's right ...
... wisdom went to you alone
Half-brother's dissension was never better dissolved
l only praise your wisdom in querying my authority
Then l must reprimand my wits
Your standing is still slight
l know of good things ...
... the Gibichung has not yet won
Do not conceal them or l will reprimand you
l see Gibich's children in the summer of their strength
You, Gunther, unwived
You, Gutrune ...
... without a husband
Whom do you advise us to wed to profit our position?
A woman l know ...
... the finest in the world
High on a rock she dwells
Fire burns all around
Only he who breaks through the fire can be Brunnhilde's suitor
Could my courage face this?
lt is destined for one stronger
Who is that valiant man?
Siegfried, the Walsung's offspring. He is the strongest of heroes
Twins, overcome by love ...
... Siegmund and Sieglinde, engendered this noblest of sons
He grew up strong in the forest
Him l could wish for Gutrune's husband
What deed did he do ...
... to be deemed the most splendid of heroes?
At Neidhohle a gigantic dragon ...
... guarded the Nibelung's hoard
Siegfried closed its ravaging jaws ...
... and slew it with his sword
So wondrous a feat ...
... won him a hero's fame
l have heard tell of the Nibelung hoard
Does it not contain most covetable wealth?
He who knew how to use it ...
... would be master of the world
And Siegfried won it in combat?
The Nibelungs are his slaves
And only he can win Brunnhilde?
To none other will the fire defer
Why stir up discord?
Why do you rouse my desire for what l cannot attain?
lf Siegfried brought home the bride to you ...
... could Brunnhilde not be yours?
Who could persuade this happy man to win the bride for me?
Your request would soon persuade him ...
... if Gutrune had previously captured his heart
Mocking, hateful Hagen!
How could l capture Siegfried?
lf he is the world's mightiest hero ...
... the loveliest women on earth have long since rejoiced him
Remember the potion in the chest
Trust me, who obtained it
The hero whom you long for ...
... it will bind to you in love
Were Siegfried to enter now ...
... and drink of that draught ...
... he would forget he had seen a woman before you ...
... or that a woman had ever come near him
Say now ...
... what do you think of Hagen's scheme?
Praised be Grimhilde ...
... who gave us such a brother!
l wish l could see Siegfried!
How could we seek him out?
When he hunts for adventure ...
... the world becomes a mere wood
ln his restless quest he may well roam ...
... even to the Gibich shores by the Rhine
l would gladly welcome him
The horn sounds from the Rhine
ln a boat ...
... hero and horse!
lt is he who gaily blows his horn!
With an easy stroke ...
... as if with idle hands ...
... he drives the boat against the current
Such strength in the swing of the oar ...
... proclaims this must be he who slew the dragon
lt is Siegfried and no other!
ls he speeding past?
Where are you going, my fine hero?
To Gibich's stalwart son
To his hall ...
... l invite you!
This way!
Lay to!
Hail, Siegfried, dear hero!
Which is Gibich's son?
l, Gunther, am the one you seek
Far along the Rhine have l heard of your fame
Now fight with me or be my friend!
Let fighting be!
You are welcome!
Where can l stable my horse?
l will find him somewhere to rest
You called me Siegfried
Have you seen me before?
l knew you by your strength alone
Tend Grane well for me!
You never held the bridle of a horse of nobler breed
Be glad, hero ...
... as you greet my father's hall
Wherever you tread, whatever you see ...
... now treat as your own
Yours is my inheritance, my land and people
May my body bear witness to my oath!
Myself too l offer as your man
l can offer neither land nor people ...
... nor father's house and palace
l inherited only my own body ...
... and that l waste away as l live
All l have is a sword which l myself forged
May my sword be witness to my oath!
l offer it with myself in alliance
Rumour names you lord of the Nibelung hoard?
l almost forgot the treasure ...
... so poorly do l prize it!
l left it in a cavern ...
... where once a dragon guarded it
And you took nothing from it?
This chainmail, though l know not its purpose
l know the Tarnhelm ...
... the Nibelung's most skilful work
With it on your head ...
... you may assume any shape
lf you long for some distant place ...
... it takes you there in a trice
Did you take nothing else from the hoard?
- A ring - Do you keep it safe?
A wondrous woman keeps it
- Brunnhilde! - You need give me nothing
l'd be giving a mere trifle if for your helmet you took all l had
l'll gladly serve you without reward
Welcome, guest, to the house of Gibich!
His daughter offers you this drink
Were l to forget all you gave me ...
... one lesson l will never lose!
l offer this first drink to faithful love ...
... Brunnhilde, to you!
You have seared my sight with your glance
Ah, fairest maid, close your eyes!
Their rays burn my heart!
ln streams of fire l feel them set my blood ablaze
Gunther, what is your sister's name?
Gutrune
Are they good runes l read in her eyes?
l offered myself as your brother's man
He refused me. Would you treat me with like disdain ...
... if l offered myself to you in bond?
Gunther, have you a wife?
l am not married yet
l shall not easily win the wife to content me!
l have set my mind ...
... on one whom no means will ever make mine
What could be denied you ...
... with me at your side?
She dwells high upon a rock
A fire surrounds her home
Only he who breaks through the fire ...
... can be Brunnhilde's suitor
l cannot climb that crag
For me the fire will never abate
But l fear no fire, and will win the woman for you
l am your man. My mettle is for you ...
... if l may have Gutrune for my wife
l gladly grant you Gutrune
l will bring you Brunnhilde
How will you delude her?
By the Tarnhelm's trickery l will change my shape to yours
Then let us swear an oath!
Let blood-brotherhood ...
... be the oath!
Life's refreshing blood ...
... have l dropped into the cup
May brotherly love, bravely blended ...
... bloom from our blood
l pledge faith to my friend
Glad and free ...
... may blood-brotherhood blossom
lf a brother breaks his bond ...
... if a friend betrays his trust ...
...what we have drunk in drops today ...
... shall flow in torrents ...
... in atonement to a friend!
Thus l take the oath
Thus ...
... l pledge my faith
Why did you not join in the oath?
My blood would taint your drink
lt does not flow pure and noble like yours
Stiff and cold, it is sluggish within me
lt will not redden my cheeks
Therefore l abstain ...
... from hot-blooded bonds
Let the unhappy man be!
Quickly on our way!
There lies my boat
lt will soon take us to the rock
One night you must wait in the boat ...
... then you can take home your wife
Will you not rest first?
l am impatient to be back!
Hagen, guard the hall!
Where are they going in such haste?
Sailing off to woo Brunnhilde
See how urgently Siegfried seeks ...
... to win you as his wife!
Siegfried ...
... mine!
Here l sit on guard ...
... defending the hall from the foe
The wind wafts Gibich's son ...
... on his way to woo a wife
His helmsman is a hero ...
... who will defy danger for him
His own bride he brings back to the Rhine
But to me he brings the ring!
You sons of freedom ...
... cheerful companions ...
... gaily sail away!
Though you deem him base ...
... you will yet serve ...
... the Nibelung's son
Sounds familiar of old fall on my ear from afar
A winged horse is coming this way
lt sweeps like a storm to the fell
Who seeks me out in my solitude?
Sister!
Are you asleep or awake?
Waltraute's voice ...
... so welcome to me!
ls it you, sister?
Have you boldly flown here to me?
Dismount in the forest, already familiar to you ...
... and let your courser rest
Have you come to see me?
Are you so brave ...
... as to greet Brunnhilde without fear?
My haste was for your sake alone
Then, for love of Brunnhilde ...
... you were bold enough to break the Father of Battles' ban?
Or was it that Wotan has relaxed his rage against me?
When l protected Siegmund against the god ...
... wrongly, l know ...
... l was fulfilling his wish
That his anger abated l also know
Though he sealed me in his sleep ...
... imprisoned me on this rock ...
... and left me, a maid, to the man who should find me and wake me ...
... he granted grace to my plea
He encircled the rock with fire ...
... to bar the way to the fearful
Thus to highest happiness my punishment brought me
The greatest of heroes won me for his wife
ln his love l laugh today in delight
Did my lot allure you, sister?
Do you want to enjoy my ecstasy and share my fate?
Share the frenzy which has crazed you?
Something different drove me to defy Wotan's orders
Do anxiety and fear keep you captive, poor sister?
Then the god has still not softened?
You tremble before his wrath?
Could l but fear it ...
... my anxiety would be at an end
l do not understand
Control your excitement and listen
Anxiety urges me back to Valhalla, as it drove me here
What ill has befallen the eternal gods?
Listen to what l tell you!
Since he parted from you ...
... no more to war has Wotan sent us
Straggling and astray, we rode to the battle
The Father of Battles shunned Valhalla's heroes
Alone on his horse, without pause or repose ...
... he roamed the world as the Wanderer
Recently he returned
He held the splinters of his spear
A hero had shattered the shaft
He sent the nobles of Valhalla ...
... to fell the world ash
He bade them pile the logs in heaps ...
... around the sacred hall
He summoned the council of gods
He took the throne in state
By his side he bade them sit, fearful as they were
ln rows the heroes filled the hall
So he sits ...
... speaking not a word ...
... silent and solemn on his throne ...
... the spear's splinters in his hand
Holda's apples ...
... he will not touch
Amazement and awe ...
... strike the gods numb
He sent his two ravens ...
... on their travels
lf ever they return with good tidings ...
... then once more, for the last time ...
... the god will smile into eternity
We Valkyries lie clasping his knees
He remains blind to our glances
Terror and anguish consume us all
l pressed myself weeping to his breast
Then his fixed stare softened
He was thinking of you, Brunnhilde!
He sighed deeply ...
... closed his eyes ...
... and as if in a dream ...
... he whispered:
''lf she would return the ring to the Rhine's daughters ...
''... from the weight of the curse ...
''... would the gods and the world be freed''
Then l reflected
From his side l stole out through the silent ranks
Secretly l mounted my horse in haste ...
... and galloped here to you
l beg you, sister ...
... let your courage accomplish the deed you can perform!
End this eternal torment
What tales of tortured dreams ...
... do you tell in such distress?
From the gods' heaven in the clouds ...
... l was banished in my folly
l do not grasp what l am told
ldle seems your story to me
ln your eyes, so exhausted ...
... glow flickering fires
With ashen cheeks ...
... wan, wild sister ...
... what do you want of me?
The ring on your hand, that is it
Hark to my words! For Wotan's sake throw it away!
- The ring? Away? - Return it to the Rhinemaidens!
The Rhinemaidens? The ring?
Siegfried's pledge of love?
Are you out of your mind?
Hear my anguish! The world's woes stem from the ring
Fling it from you!
To end Valhalla's despair ...
... throw the accursed thing in the water!
Do you know what it means to me?
How can you understand?
Unfeeling girl!
More than the heaven of Valhalla ...
... more than the glory of the gods ...
... is this ring to me
One glance at its gleaming gold ...
... one flash of its lustre ...
... weighs more with me ...
... than the eternal joy of all the gods!
From it shines like a blessing ...
... Siegfried's love on me
Could l but tell you what bliss!
This is what the ring means to me
Go back to the gods' holy council
Tell them this about my ring
l will never renounce love
They shall never wrest love from me ...
... though Valhalla's splendour collapses in ruins!
ls this your loyalty?
Do you thus lovelessly leave your sister in affliction?
Take yourself off!
To horse, away!
You shall not take the ring from me!
Woe!
Woe to you, sister!
Woe to Valhalla's gods!
Raging storm-cloud ...
... driven on the wind ...
... hence with you!
Never come my way again!
Evening twilight veils the sky
Brighter blazes the guardian fire
Why does the wall of flame flare up with such fury?
The fire surges to the summit
Siegfried returning!
He sounds his call!
Up! Up to meet him!
lnto the arms of my god!
Betrayed!
Who has forced a way to me?
Brunnhilde! A suitor has come ...
... whom your fire did not affright
Now l have won you for wife
You must follow me!
Who has undertaken what is reserved ...
... only for the mightiest hero?
A hero ...
... who will tame you ...
... if force alone will subdue you
A monster has mounted this rock!
An eagle has swooped to tear me to pieces!
Who are you, dread figure?
Are you a mortal?
Have you come from Hella's hordes of night?
l am a Gibichung
Gunther is the name of the hero ...
... whom you must follow
Wotan!
Wrathful, ruthless god!
Alas!
Now l see ...
... the meaning of my sentence!
You doom me to derision and distress!
Night is falling
ln your abode ...
... must you be wedded to me!
Stand back!
Fear this token!
You cannot compel me to shame ...
... so long as this ring shields me
By husband's right it is Gunther's. With it you shall be married to him
Stand back, vile thief!
Do not dare to come near me
The ring makes me stronger than steel
Never shall you steal it from me
You impel me to take it
Now you are mine
Brunnhilde, Gunther's bride ...
... now grant me your abode!
How could you defend yourself, wretched woman?
Now, Notung, be witness ...
... that my wooing was chaste
Keeping faith with my brother ...
... separate me from his bride!