Schubert's 1823 setting of Rückert's "Greisengesang" (Song of Old Age) (D. 778) exists in two versions. For the most part, the two versions are almost exactly identical: the lugubrious tempo, the expansive strophic structure of four verses per strophe, the long range modulation from B minor to B major, the vocal melody that moves from the mournful acknowledgement of old age in a dark-hued recitative to the joyful acceptance of old age in a lyrical aria. But while the first half of each strophe is the same in each version, the second half of each strophe is radically different: in the first version, the melody that accompanies the modulation to B major is deeply moving and as deeply simple, but in the second version, the melody blossoms into aromatic melismas at the mention of flowers in the poem. Both versions are lovely and effective, but the second version more fully illuminates the meaning of the poem.

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