The Love and Life of a Woman

Translations © by Kyle Gee

Song Cycle by Robert Schumann (1810 - 1856)

View original-language texts alone: Frauenliebe und -Leben

1. Seit ich ihn gesehen
 (Sung text)
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Seit ich ihn gesehen,
  Glaub' ich blind zu sein;
Wo ich hin nur blicke,
  Seh' ich ihn allein;
Wie im wachen Traume
  Schwebt sein Bild mir vor,
Taucht aus tiefstem Dunkel,
  Heller nur empor.

Sonst ist licht- und farblos
  Alles um mich her,
Nach der Schwestern Spiele
  Nicht begehr' ich mehr,
Möchte lieber weinen,
  Still im Kämmerlein;
Seit ich ihn gesehen,
  Glaub' ich blind zu sein.

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by Adelbert von Chamisso (1781 - 1838)
1.
Language: English 
Ever since first seeing him,
I think I must have gone blind;
Wherever I happen to look
I can only see him alone;
As if I’m daydreaming,
his image hovers in front of me,
rising up even from the deepest darkness,
brighter and brighter still.

Everything else around me
is missing light and color,
I no longer have any desire
to play games with my sisters,
I would rather be weeping
all alone in my little room;
Ever since first seeing him,
I think I must have gone blind.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2014 by Kyle Gee, (re)printed on this website with kind permission. To reprint and distribute this author's work for concert programs, CD booklets, etc., you must ask the copyright-holder(s) directly for permission. If you receive no response, you must consider it a refusal.

    Kyle Gee.  Contact: kyleanthonygee (AT) gmail (DOT) com

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This text was added to the website: 2014-02-17
Line count: 16
Word count: 89

Translation © by Kyle Gee
2. Er, der Herrlichste von allen
 (Sung text)
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Er, der Herrlichste von allen,
  Wie so milde, wie so gut!
Holde Lippen, klares Auge,
  Heller Sinn und fester Muth.

So wie dort in blauer Tiefe,
  Hell und herrlich, jener Stern,
Also er an meinem Himmel,
  Hell und herrlich, hehr und fern.

Wandle, wandle deine Bahnen;
  Nur betrachten deinen Schein,
Nur in Demuth ihn betrachten,
  Selig nur und traurig sein!

Höre nicht mein stilles Beten,
  Deinem Glücke nur geweiht;
Darfst mich niedre Magd nicht kennen,
  Hoher Stern der Herrlichkeit!

Nur die Würdigste von allen
  Darf beglücken deine Wahl,
Und ich will die Hohe segnen,
  Viele tausend Mal.

Will mich freuen dann und weinen,
  Selig, selig bin ich dann,
Sollte mir das Herz auch brechen,
  Brich, o Herz, was liegt daran.

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Note: modernized spelling would change "Muth" to "Mut", and "Demuth" to "Demut"

by Adelbert von Chamisso (1781 - 1838)
2.
Language: English 
He, the most magnificent of them all,
how gentle and good he is!
Enchanting lips, luminous eyes,
an open mind, and strong courage!

Just like that bright and glorious star
in the deep blue heavens,
he is bright and glorious in my heaven,
illustrious, and so far above me.

Follow, follow your own path,
just to gaze upon your radiance--
just to humbly gaze upon it,
is to be both blissful and melancholy.

Don’t bother to hear my quiet prayer,
dedicated solely to your happiness;
You don’t need to know this irrelevant girl,
you sublime and glorious star!

Only the worthiest one of them all
should be made happy by your choice,
And I will bless that elevated one
a thousand times over.

Then I shall rejoice and weep,
blissful, I will be blissful then,
and if then my heart breaks:
Break, heart! Why does it matter?

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2014 by Kyle Gee, (re)printed on this website with kind permission. To reprint and distribute this author's work for concert programs, CD booklets, etc., you must ask the copyright-holder(s) directly for permission. If you receive no response, you must consider it a refusal.

    Kyle Gee.  Contact: kyleanthonygee (AT) gmail (DOT) com

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This text was added to the website: 2014-02-17
Line count: 24
Word count: 147

Translation © by Kyle Gee
3. Ich kann's nicht fassen, nicht glauben
 (Sung text)
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Ich kann's nicht fassen, nicht glauben,
  Es hat ein Traum mich berückt;
Wie hätt' er doch unter allen
  Mich Arme erhöht und beglückt?

Mir war's, er habe gesprochen:
  Ich bin auf ewig dein --
Mir war's -- ich träume noch immer,
  Es kann ja nimmer so sein.

O laß im Traume mich sterben,
  Gewieget an seiner Brust,
Den seligen Tod mich schlürfen
  In Thränen unendlicher Lust.

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Note: modernized spelling would change "Thränen" to "Tränen"
by Adelbert von Chamisso (1781 - 1838)
3.
Language: English 
I can’t grasp or believe it,
I must’ve been dreaming;
Why would he, of all people,
choose to honor and bless me?

I think he may have said:
“I am eternally yours.”
I think - no, I’m still dreaming!
This could never be true!

Oh let me die in this dream,
nestled against his breast,
let me drink a blissful death
of eternally delighted tears.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2014 by Kyle Gee, (re)printed on this website with kind permission. To reprint and distribute this author's work for concert programs, CD booklets, etc., you must ask the copyright-holder(s) directly for permission. If you receive no response, you must consider it a refusal.

    Kyle Gee.  Contact: kyleanthonygee (AT) gmail (DOT) com

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Line count: 12
Word count: 63

Translation © by Kyle Gee
4. Du Ring an meinem Finger
 (Sung text)
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Du Ring an meinem Finger,
  Mein goldenes Ringelein,
Ich drücke dich fromm an die Lippen,
  Dich fromm an das Herze mein.

Ich hatt' ihn ausgeträumet,
  Der Kindheit friedlich schönen Traum,
Ich fand allein mich, verloren
  Im öden, unendlichen Raum.

Du Ring an meinem Finger,
  Da hast du mich erst belehrt,
Hast meinem Blick erschlossen
  Des Lebens unendlichen, tiefen Wert.

Ich will ihm dienen, ihm leben,
  Ihm angehören ganz,
Hin selber mich geben und finden
  Verklärt mich in seinem Glanz.

Du Ring an meinem Finger,
  Mein goldenes Ringelein,
Ich drücke dich fromm an die Lippen,
  Dich fromm an das Herze mein.

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Modernized spelling would change "Werth" to "Wert"
by Adelbert von Chamisso (1781 - 1838)
4.
Language: English 
You, ring on my finger,
my little golden ring,
I press you devoutly to my lips,
to my heart.

I had dreamed time and time again,
the peacefully beautiful childhood dream,
I found myself lost
in an empty, endless space.

You, ring on my finger,
you have just now taught me,
you have opened up my eyes
to the infinitely deep value of life.

I want to serve him, to live for him,
to belong to him completely,
to fully give myself to him,
and to find myself transfigured in his radiance.

You, ring on my finger,
my little golden ring,
I press you devoutly to my lips,
to my heart.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2014 by Kyle Gee, (re)printed on this website with kind permission. To reprint and distribute this author's work for concert programs, CD booklets, etc., you must ask the copyright-holder(s) directly for permission. If you receive no response, you must consider it a refusal.

    Kyle Gee.  Contact: kyleanthonygee (AT) gmail (DOT) com

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This text was added to the website: 2014-02-17
Line count: 20
Word count: 111

Translation © by Kyle Gee
5. Helft mir, ihr Schwestern
 (Sung text)
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Helft mir, ihr Schwestern, 
Freundlich mich schmücken,
Dient der Glücklichen heute mir.
Windet geschäftig
Mir um die Stirne
Noch der blühenden Myrte Zier.

Als ich befriedigt,
Freudigen Herzens,
Sonst dem Geliebten im Arme lag,
Immer noch rief er,
Sehnsucht im Herzen,
Ungeduldig den heutigen Tag.

Helft mir, ihr Schwestern,
Helft mir verscheuchen
Eine thörichte Bangigkeit;
Daß ich mit klarem
Aug' ihn empfange,
Ihn, die Quelle der Freudigkeit.

Bist, mein Geliebter,
Du mir erschienen,
Giebst du mir, Sonne, deinen Schein?
Laß mich in Andacht,
Laß mich in Demuth,
Laß mich verneigen dem Herren mein.

Streuet ihm, Schwestern,
Streuet ihm Blumen,
bringet ihm knospende Rosen dar.
Aber euch, Schwestern,
Grüß' ich mit Wehmuth,
Freudig scheidend aus eurer Schaar.

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Modernized spelling would change "thörichte" to "törichte", "giebst" to "gibst", "Demuth" to "Demut", "Wehmuth" to "Wehmut", and "Schaar" to "Schar"
by Adelbert von Chamisso (1781 - 1838)
5.
Language: English 
Help me, my sisters, 
help me beautify myself,
serve this happy woman today.
Busily braid 
around my forehead
the ornament of blooming myrtle.

When I used to lie contented, 
my heart full of joy,
in the arms of my beloved,
he always begged, 
his heart full of longing,
impatiently for this day to come.

Help me, my sisters, 
help me chase away
this childish anxiety,
so that I may receive him 
with clear eyes,
he, the source of all my joyousness.

Have you, my beloved, 
appeared before me,
to give me your light, oh my sun?
Let me in devotion, 
let me in humility,
let me bow down before my lord.

Scatter, my sisters, 
scatter flowers before him,
present him with budding roses.
But you, my sisters, 
I bid you a melancholy farewell,
as I nevertheless joyously leave your flock.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2014 by Kyle Gee, (re)printed on this website with kind permission. To reprint and distribute this author's work for concert programs, CD booklets, etc., you must ask the copyright-holder(s) directly for permission. If you receive no response, you must consider it a refusal.

    Kyle Gee.  Contact: kyleanthonygee (AT) gmail (DOT) com

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Line count: 30
Word count: 140

Translation © by Kyle Gee
6. Süßer Freund, du blickest
 (Sung text)
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Süßer Freund, du blickest
  Mich verwundert an,
Kannst es nicht begreifen,
  Wie ich weinen kann;
Laß der feuchten Perlen
  Ungewohnte Zier
Freudig hell erzittern 
In dem Auge mir.

Wie so bang mein Busen,
  Wie so wonnevoll!
Wüßt' ich nur mit Worten,
  Wie ich's sagen soll;
Komm und birg dein Antlitz
  Hier an meiner Brust,
Will in's Ohr dir flüstern
  Alle meine Lust.

 ... 

Weißt du nun die Thränen,
  Die ich weinen kann?
Sollst du nicht sie sehen,
  Du geliebter Mann;
Bleib' an meinem Herzen,
  Fühle dessen Schlag,
Daß ich fest und fester
  Nur dich drücken mag.

Hier an meinem Bette
  Hat die Wiege Raum,
Wo sie still verberge
  Meinen holden Traum;
Kommen wird der Morgen,
  Wo der Traum erwacht,
Und daraus dein Bildniß
  Mir entgegen lacht.

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Modernized spelling would change "Thränen" to "Tränen" and "Bildniß" to "Bildnis".
by Adelbert von Chamisso (1781 - 1838)
6.
Language: English 
Sweet friend, you look 
at me in awe;
You can’t understand 
how I can weep.
Let the unique ornament 
of glistening pearls
tremble joyfully 
and brightly in my eyes.

How anxious my heart is, 
and how blissful!
If only I knew 
how to say it with words;
Come and hide your face 
here at my breast,
I want to whisper 
all of my excitement into your ear.

[ ... ]

Here by my bed 
there’s room for a cradle,
where it may quietly 
shelter my lovely dream.
the morning will come 
when the dream awakes,
and from the cradle 
your image smiles up at me!

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2014 by Kyle Gee, (re)printed on this website with kind permission. To reprint and distribute this author's work for concert programs, CD booklets, etc., you must ask the copyright-holder(s) directly for permission. If you receive no response, you must consider it a refusal.

    Kyle Gee.  Contact: kyleanthonygee (AT) gmail (DOT) com

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Line count: 32
Word count: 138

Translation © by Kyle Gee
7. An meinem Herzen, an meiner Brust
 (Sung text)
Language: German (Deutsch) 
An meinem Herzen, an meiner Brust,
Du meine Wonne, du meine Lust!

Das Glück ist die Liebe, die Lieb' ist das Glück,
Ich hab' es gesagt und nehm's nicht zurück.

Hab' überschwenglich mich geschätzt
Bin überglücklich aber jetzt.

Nur die da säugt, nur die da liebt
Das Kind, dem sie die Nahrung giebt;

Nur eine Mutter weiß allein,
Was lieben heißt und glücklich sein.

O, wie bedaur' ich doch den Mann,
Der Mutterglück nicht fühlen kann!

Du lieber, lieber Engel, du,
Du schauest mich an und lächelst dazu!

An meinem Herzen, an meiner Brust,
Du meine Wonne, du meine Lust!

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Note: Modern German would change the spelling of "giebt" to "gibt"

by Adelbert von Chamisso (1781 - 1838)
7.
Language: English 
At my heart, at my breast,
you my bliss, you my joy!

Happiness is love, love is happiness,
I’ve said it and won’t take it back!

I thought I was rapturous before,
but I am even more supremely happy now.

Only one who nurses, only she 
who loves the child she nurses,

only a mother knows 
what it means to love and be happy.

Oh how I feel sorry for a man
because he cannot feel a mother’s happiness!

You dear, dear angel you,
you look at me and you smile!

At my heart, at my breast,
you my bliss, you my joy!

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2014 by Kyle Gee, (re)printed on this website with kind permission. To reprint and distribute this author's work for concert programs, CD booklets, etc., you must ask the copyright-holder(s) directly for permission. If you receive no response, you must consider it a refusal.

    Kyle Gee.  Contact: kyleanthonygee (AT) gmail (DOT) com

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Line count: 16
Word count: 103

Translation © by Kyle Gee
8. Nun hast du mir den ersten Schmerz getan
 (Sung text)
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Nun hast du mir den ersten Schmerz gethan,
  Der aber traf.
Du schläfst, du harter, unbarmherz'ger Mann,
  Den Todesschlaf.

Es blicket die Verlass'ne vor sich hin,
  Die Welt ist leer.
Geliebet hab' ich und gelebt, ich bin
  Nicht lebend mehr.

Ich zieh' mich in mein Inn'res still zurück,
  Der Schleier fällt,
Da hab' ich dich und mein verlornes Glück,
  Du meine Welt!

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Note: modernized spelling would change "gethan" to "getan".

Note (provided by Iain Sneddon) : Loewe's song is not part of his opus 60. His song cycle titled Frauenliebe ends peacefully with married bliss: 'Du meine wonne, du mein Lust!'. Loewe happened to set the remaining poems (this one was only a sketch) and Max Runze was correct to include these unpublished songs in his complete edition in the positions they would have occupied if Loewe had wanted to include them, so they may be considered to be part of the extended cycle, but not opus 60.

by Adelbert von Chamisso (1781 - 1838)
8.
Language: English 
Now you’ve hurt me for the first time - 
but this blow struck deep.
You sleep, you hard, cruel man, 
the sleep of death.

The abandoned one stares ahead, 
the world is completely empty.
I’ve loved and lived; 
I’m no longer living.

I quietly withdraw into my inner self; 
the veil falls.
Only there do I have you and my lost happiness,
you who were my world!

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2014 by Kyle Gee, (re)printed on this website with kind permission. To reprint and distribute this author's work for concert programs, CD booklets, etc., you must ask the copyright-holder(s) directly for permission. If you receive no response, you must consider it a refusal.

    Kyle Gee.  Contact: kyleanthonygee (AT) gmail (DOT) com

    If you wish to commission a new translation, please contact:

Based on:

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This text was added to the website: 2014-02-17
Line count: 12
Word count: 66

Translation © by Kyle Gee