Friedrich Silcher is regarded as one of the forefathers of the German Romantic choral movement. In addition to countless folk-song arrangements from his pen, many of his own compositions have also survived. Constantly at pains to achieve a characteristic appealing folk-song style while remaining skilful in his handling of detail, Silcher composed true gems in a small songlike form. We can see this, too, in his rousing strophic song Wohin mit der Freud’ (What use is joy?). The music fits like a glove the joy of the lyrical self that Robert Reinick gives exuberant expression to in his poem. Lyrics in German only, English translation of lyrics included!