Attention! Some of this material is not in the public domain.
It is illegal to copy and distribute our copyright-protected material without permission. It is also illegal to reprint copyright texts or translations without the name of the author or translator.
To inquire about permissions and rates, contact Emily Ezust at licenses@email.lieder.example.net
If you wish to reprint translations, please make sure you include the names of the translators in your email. They are below each translation.
Note: You must use the copyright symbol © when you reprint copyright-protected material.
Wer der Meine wohl wird werden? Ob mein [Aug' ihn wohl]1 schon sah? Wo er wandeln mag auf Erden? Ist er ferne oder nah'? Wird er schön von Angesichte Oder doch nicht häßlich sein? Krause Locken? Augen lichte? Groß von Wuchse oder klein? Stark von Gliedern oder schmächtig? Ob er leicht im Tanz sich [schwenkt]2? Ob er [nüchtern, streng, bedächtig]3, Oder recht romantisch denkt? Oberamtmann oder Richter Voller Ernst und Gravität? Ist er Künstler, oder Dichter? Ob er auch Musik versteht? Ein Gelehrter, reich an Wissen, Der studirt und Bücher schreibt, Dem jedoch zu Scherz und Küssen Wenig Zeit nur übrig bleibt? Ist er wohl vom Handelstande? Ist' s ein Kriegsmann, keck und brav? Ist er Pfarrer auf dem Lande, Oder gar ein schöner Graf? Ist die Liebe denn recht innig, Die er dann im Herzen trägt, Da das meine ja so minnig Jetzt schon ihm entgegenschlägt? Sagt mir's, holde Blütendüfte, Die ihr weht in's Kämmerlein, Sagt mir's, [leise]4 Abendlüfte, Sag' mir's, sanfter Mondenschein! Sagt mir's, Elfen, kleine, lose, Die ihr lauscht und lacht und nickt, Sag' mir's, süße, rothe Rose, Die mir in das Fenster blickt! Saget mir's, ihr klugen Sterne, Die herauf am Himmel zieh'n! Triebe schwellen in die Ferne, Und sie wissen nicht, wohin? Liebesarme stehen offen, Ach, wen sollen sie empfah'n? Lippen, die auf Küsse hoffen, Ach, wer wird zum Kusse nah'n? Oder soll ich lieber sagen, Lieblich sei's, so blind zu sein? Dieses Klagen, dieses Fragen Sei uns Mädchen süße Pein? Träume können sel'ger spielen Kindern gleich im leeren Haus, Wenn nach unbekannten Zielen Holde Wünsche ziehen aus? Freudig Bangen! Bange Freude! Ungewisser, finde mich! Leid in Lust und Lust im Leide! Künftiger, ich liebe dich!
I. Brüll sets stanzas 1-3, 8-14
1 Brüll: "Auge ihn"
2 Brüll: "dreht"
3 Brüll: "nüchtern und bedächtig"
4 Brüll: "holde"
Authorship:
- by Friedrich Theodor Vischer (1807 - 1887), "Mädchens Abendgedanken", appears in Lyrische Gänge, first published 1882 [author's text checked 1 time against a primary source]
Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive):
- by Ignaz Brüll (1846 - 1907), "Mädchens Abendgedanken", op. 78 (Vier Lieder für 1 Singstimme mit Pianoforte) no. 1, published 1898, stanzas 1-3,8-14 [ voice and piano ], Langensalza, Beyer & Söhne [sung text checked 1 time]
- by Anton Grigoryevich Rubinstein (1829 - 1894), "Mädchens Abendgedanken", 1882, published 1882 [ voice and piano ], Berlin, Bote & Bock [sung text not yet checked]
Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- ENG English (Sharon Krebs) , "Evening thoughts of a maiden", copyright © 2017, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
Research team for this page: Emily Ezust [Administrator] , Sharon Krebs [Guest Editor]
This text was added to the website: 2009-09-23
Line count: 56
Word count: 281
Who shall be mine? Have my eyes seen him yet? Where might he be wandering on earth? Is he far or is he near? Will he have a handsome face Or at least not be ugly? Curly hair? Light eyes? Tall of stature or short? Strong-limbed or slender? Shall he [swing]1 himself lightly when dancing? Shall his thoughts be [sober, stern, deliberate]2, Or quite romantic? A high official or a judge Full of seriousness and gravity? Is he an artist, or a poet? Does he understand music as well? A learned man, replete with knowledge, Who studies and writes books, But who has little time left over For jests and kisses? Is he perhaps of the commerce class? Is he a warrior, bold and brave? Is he a country parson, Or even a handsome count? And is the love that he bears In his heart truly fervent then, Since mine already so lovingly Beats toward his coming? Tell me, lovely blossom scents That waft into my chamber, Tell me, [quiet]3 evening breezes, Tell me, gentle moonlight! Tell me, fairies, small, wanton, You who eavesdrop and laugh and nod, Tell me, sweet red rose That peeps into my window! Tell me, you wise stars That rise upon the heavens! Sprouts swell into the distance, And they know not whither? Loving arms stand outstretched, Ah, whom shall they receive? Lips that hope for kisses, Ah, who shall come near for a kiss? Or should I rather say That it is lovely to be so blind? [That] this lamenting, this questioning Be a sweet suffering for us maidens? [That] dreams can play more blissfully, Like children in an empty house, When lovely wishes travel forth To unknown destinations? Joyful anxiety! Anxious joy! Unknown one, come find me! Sorrow in happiness and happiness in sorrow! You who are to come, I love you!
1 Brüll: "turn"
2 Brüll: "sober and deliberate"
3 Brüll: "lovely"
Authorship:
- Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2017 by Sharon Krebs, (re)printed on this website with kind permission. To reprint and distribute this author's work for concert programs, CD booklets, etc., you may ask the copyright-holder(s) directly or ask us; we are authorized to grant permission on their behalf. Please provide the translator's name when contacting us.
Contact: licenses@email.lieder.example.net
Based on:
- a text in German (Deutsch) by Friedrich Theodor Vischer (1807 - 1887), "Mädchens Abendgedanken", appears in Lyrische Gänge, first published 1882
This text was added to the website: 2017-06-07
Line count: 56
Word count: 309