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Ich seufzt' einmal Bei Mondes Strahl Dort unter jener Eiche; Da kam mir's vor, Als ob vom Thor Mein Schatz herüber schleiche. Ich traute nicht Dem Dämmerlicht; Doch über'n Zaun her sprang er, Und sank -- o Lust! -- Mir an die Brust, Und Brust und Arm umschlang er. Verbogen gar Die Mütz' ihm war, Als er mich küßt' und drückte, Und ich -- so schwach Vom Kuß, der -- ach! -- Die Seele mir entrückte! Verwünschter Krieg! Wie sank und stieg Die Brust mir so beklommen! Doch nun -- halloh! -- Wie bin ich froh, Daß er zurückgekommen! Ging Alt und Jung Zu Tanz und Sprung, Saß ich im engen Stübchen, Und dacht' allein, In Angst und Pein, An mein entferntes Bübchen; Doch -- Gott sey Lob! -- Der Krieg zerstob; Mein Johnnie kehrt' in's Städtchen: Nun tanz' auch ich Und putze mich So gut, wie andre Mädchen!
Confirmed with Robert Burns' Gedichte, deutsch von W. Gerhard, Mit des Dichters Leben und erläuternden Bemerkungen, Leipzig, Verlag von Joh. Ambr. Barth, 1840, pages 166-167.
Text Authorship:
- by Wilhelm Christoph Leonhard Gerhard (1780 - 1858), "Überraschung " [author's text checked 1 time against a primary source]
Based on:
- a text in Scottish (Scots) by Robert Burns (1759 - 1796)
Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive):
- by Heinrich August Marschner (1795 - 1861), "Überraschung", op. 107 no. 5, published 1841 [ soprano or tenor and piano ], from Robert Burns Lieder für Tenor oder Sopran, no. 5, Leipzig, Breitkopf und Härtel [sung text not yet checked]
Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- ENG English (Sharon Krebs) , copyright © 2018, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
This text was added to the website: 2015-05-04
Line count: 36
Word count: 140
Once, I sighed When the moon was shining There under yonder oak; Then it seemed to me As if from the gate My darling was sneaking over to me. I did not trust The gloaming; But over the fence he sprang, And sank -- oh joy! -- Upon my breast And embraced my bosom and arm. All twisted up His cap became, As he kissed and squeezed me, And I -- so weak From the kiss, which -- ah! -- Enraptured my soul! Cursed war! How so oppressedly My bosom sank and rose! But now -- hallo! -- How happy I am That he has returned! When young and old Went to the dance and leaping, I sat in my narrow room, And only thought In fear and anguish Of my distant lad; But -- may God be praised! -- The war ended; My Johnny returned to town: Now I, too, dance And dress up As nicely as other girls do!
About the headline (FAQ)
Translations of title(s):
"Überraschung" = "Surprise"
"Ich seufzt' einmal" = "Once, I sighed"
Text Authorship:
- Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2018 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:
- a text in German (Deutsch) by Wilhelm Christoph Leonhard Gerhard (1780 - 1858), "Überraschung "
Based on:
- a text in Scottish (Scots) by Robert Burns (1759 - 1796)
This text was added to the website: 2018-03-03
Line count: 36
Word count: 152