by Paul Heyse (1830 - 1914)
Translation © by Sharon Krebs

Und wollen mich die klugen Leute fragen
Language: German (Deutsch)  after the Italian (Italiano) 
Our translations:  ENG FRE
Und wollen mich die klugen Leute fragen,
Von wem ich es gelernt, in Versen sprechen:
Im Herzen muß ich jene Gluten tragen,
Die klingend, singend dann zu Tage brechen.
Am Tag, wo Nena mir zuerst begegnet,
Da ward mit Versen mir der Geist gesegnet.
Am Tag, [wo]1 Nena's Lächeln mich [ließ]2 hoffen,
Sah ich die Thür des Paradieses offen,
Und heut, [wo]1 Nena's Herz in Flammen steht,
Bin ich ein großer König und Poet.

Available sung texts: (what is this?)

•   J. Marx 

About the headline (FAQ)

View original text (without footnotes)

In a footnote to Line 5 Heyse informs readers that "Nena" is a short form of "Maddalena" ("Abkürzung von Maddalena").

Confirmed with Paul Heyse, Italienisches Liederbuch, Berlin: Verlag von Wilhelm Hertz (Bessersche Buchhandlung), 1860, page 3.

1 Marx: "da"
2 Marx: "hieß"

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Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive):

Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):

  • ENG English (Sharon Krebs) , "The poet", copyright © 2013, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
  • FRE French (Français) (Pierre Mathé) , "Le poète", copyright © 2020, (re)printed on this website with kind permission


Researcher for this page: Sharon Krebs [Guest Editor]

This text was added to the website: 2010-01-28
Line count: 10
Word count: 77

The poet
Language: English  after the German (Deutsch) 
And if the clever people wish to ask me
From whom I learned to speak in verses:
In my heart I must carry those glowing embers
That resoundingly, singingly break forth to the light of day.
The day upon which I first met Nena
My spirit was blessed with verses.
The day upon which Nena's smiles first [let]1 me hope
I saw the door of Paradise open,
And today when Nena's heart is completely engulfed in flames [of love],
I am a great king and poet.

View original text (without footnotes)
1 Marx: "bade"

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2013 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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Based on:

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This text was added to the website: 2013-12-06
Line count: 10
Word count: 87