Poems of Mary, Queen of Scots

Song Cycle by Robert Schumann (1810 - 1856)

View original-language texts alone: Gedichte der Königin Maria Stuart

1. Abschied von Frankreich
 (Sung text)
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Ich zieh' dahin!
Ade, mein fröhlich Frankenland,
Wo ich die liebste Heimath fand,
Du meiner Kindheit Pflegerin.
Ade, du Land, du schöne Zeit --
Mich trennt das Boot vom Glück so weit!
Doch trägt's die Hälfte nur von mir:
Ein Theil für immer bleibet dein,
Mein fröhlich Land, der sage dir,
Des Andern eingedenk zu sein! --

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by Gisbert, Freiherr von Vincke (1813 - 1892)
1. Taking leave from France
Language: English 
I travel away!
Adieu, my joyful France,
Where I found the dearest home,
Thou, who tended to me in childhood.
Adieu, thou land, thou lovely time --
The boat is carrying me so far away from happiness!
But it bears only half of me:
One part shall ever remain thine,
My joyful land -- and may that part urge thee
To remember the other part! --

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 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.
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Subtitle: "By Mary Stuart. [original in] French"


This text was added to the website: 2015-03-20
Line count: 10
Word count: 64

Translation © by Sharon Krebs
2. Nach der Geburt ihres Sohnes
 (Sung text)
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Herr Jesu Christ, den sie gekrönt mit Dornen,
Beschütze die Geburt des hier Gebor'nen.
Und sei's dein Will', lass sein Geschlecht zugleich
Lang herrschen noch in diesem Königreich.
Und alles, was geschieht in seinem Namen,
Sei dir zu Ruhm und Preis und Ehre, Amen.

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Confirmed with: Rose und Distel, Poesien aus England und Schottland, übertragen von Giesbert Freiherrn Vincke, Dessau, Druck und Verlag von Gebrüder Katz, 1853, page 30.

by Gisbert, Freiherr von Vincke (1813 - 1892)
2. After the birth of her son
Language: English 
Lord Jesus Christ, whom they crowned with thorns,
Guard the birth of the child born here.
And if it be Thy will, let his line
Long reign [yet in]1 this kingdom,
And may everything that comes to pass in his name
Be to Thy glory and praise and honour -- Amen! --

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 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.
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Subtitle: "By Mary Stuart. [original in] Scottish [sic]."

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1 Raff: "over this"


This text was added to the website: 2015-02-03
Line count: 6
Word count: 51

Translation © by Sharon Krebs
3. An die Königin Elisabeth
 (Sung text)
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Nur ein Gedanke, der mich freut und quält,
    Hält ewig mir den Sinn gefangen,
    Sodaß der Furcht und Hoffnung Stimmen klangen,
    Als ich die Stunden ruhelos gezählt.

Und wenn mein Herz dieß Blatt zum Boten wählt,
    Und kündet, Euch zu sehen, mein Verlangen,
    Dann, theure Schwester, fasst mich neues Bangen,
    Weil ihm die Macht, es zu beweisen fehlt.

Ich seh den Kahn, im Hafen fast geborgen,
    Vom Sturm und Kampf der Wogen festgehalten,
    Des Himmels heit'res Antlitz nachtumgraut.

So bin auch ich bewegt von Furcht und Sorgen,
    Vor Euch nicht, Schwester! Doch des Schicksals Walten
    Zerreißt das Segel oft, dem wir vertraut.

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Confirmed with: Rose und Distel, Poesien aus England und Schottland, übertragen von Giesbert Freiherrn Vincke, Dessau, Druck und Verlag von Gebrüder Katz, 1853, page 33.

by Gisbert, Freiherr von Vincke (1813 - 1892)
3. To Queen Elizabeth
Language: English 
One thought alone that gladdens and tortures me
    Holds my spirit captive [in eternal fluctuation]1
    So that the voices of both dread and hope rang out
    While restlessly I counted the hours.

And when my heart chooses this leaf of paper as its messenger,
    And tells of my longing to see you,
    Then, valued sister, I am gripped by new anxiety,
    Because [this leaf of paper] lacks the power to give evidence thereof.

I [saw]2 the barque, almost safe in harbour,
    Held fast by the storm [in]3 the battle of the waves,
    The bright visage of the heavens shrouded by night.

Thus, I too, am beset by [anxious]4 cares,
    Not [fear of] you, sister! But the machinations of fate
    Often tear the sail that we trusted.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 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.
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Subtitle: "By Mary Stuart. [original in] Italian"

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1 Schumann: "eternally"
2 Schumann: "see"
3 Schumann: "and"
4 Schumann: "fears and"


This text was added to the website: 2003-11-11
Line count: 14
Word count: 126

Translation © by Sharon Krebs
4. Abschied von der Welt
 (Sung text)
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Was nützt die mir noch zugemess'ne Zeit?
    Mein Herz erstarb für irdisches Begehren,
    Nur Leiden soll mein Schatten nicht entbehren,
    Mir blieb allein die Todesfreudigkeit.

Ihr,  ...  Feinde, lasst von eurem Neid:
    Mein Herz ist abgewandt der Hoheit Ehren,
    Des Schmerzes Uebermaß wird mich verzehren,
    Bald geht mit mir zu Grabe Haß und Streit.

Ihr Freunde, die ihr mein gedenkt in Liebe,
    Erwägt und glaubt, daß ohne Kraft und Glück
    Kein gutes Werk mir zu vollenden bliebe.

So wünscht mir bess're Tage nicht zurück,
    Und weil ich schwer gestrafet werd' hienieden,
    Erfleht mir meinen Theil am ew'gen Frieden.

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by Gisbert, Freiherr von Vincke (1813 - 1892)
4. Farewell from the world
Language: English 
Of what use is the time still allotted to me?
    My heart is dead to all earthly desires,
    My spirit is replete with suffering,
    All that remains to me is looking forward to death.

You, [my]1 enemies, leave off your envy:
    My heart has turned away from the honours of a high station,
    An excess of pain shall consume me,
    Soon hate and contention shall pass with me into the grave.

You friends who remember me lovingly,
    Reflect and believe that without strength and good fortune
    No good work remains for me to complete.

So do not wish for the return of better times for me,
    And since I [was]2 sorely tried here on earth,
    Beseech [God to grant] me my portion of eternal peace.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 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.
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Subtitle: "By Mary Stuart. [original in] French."

View original text (without footnotes)
1 omitted by Schumann
2 Schumann: "am being"


This text was added to the website: 2015-03-20
Line count: 14
Word count: 125

Translation © by Sharon Krebs
5. Gebet
 (Sung text)
Language: German (Deutsch) 
O Gott, mein Gebieter,
ich hoffe auf Dich!
O Jesu, Geliebter,
Nun rette Du mich!
Im harten Gefängniß,
In schlimmer Bedrängniß
Ersehne ich Dich;
In Klagen, Dir klagend,
Im Staube verzagend,
Erhör', ich beschwöre,
Und rette Du mich!

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Confirmed with: Rose und Distel, Poesien aus England und Schottland, übertragen von Giesbert Freiherrn Vincke, Dessau, Druck und Verlag von Gebrüder Katz, 1853, page 37.

by Gisbert, Freiherr von Vincke (1813 - 1892)
5. Prayer
Language: English 
Oh God, my Master,
I [always placed]1 my trust in Thee!
Oh Jesus, Beloved,
Save me now!
In a cruel prison,
In sore distress
I [yearned]2 for Thee;
In lamentations sobbing to Thee,
[Despairing]3 in the dust,
Hear my plea, I implore Thee,
And save Thou me!

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 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.
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View original text (without footnotes)
1 Schumann: "place"
2 Schumann: "yearn"
3 Raff: "Perishing"


This text was added to the website: 2015-02-03
Line count: 11
Word count: 47

Translation © by Sharon Krebs