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Blumen sprechen schlicht und wahr! -- Ob zum Kranze sie gewunden, Ob zum Strauße sie gebunden, Künden hold sie's immerdar, Wie's die Liebe hat im Brauch, Mit dem klaren Augenstern Oder mit dem süßen Hauch Alles was ich sagte gern: Ach! kein Wort je spricht es aus, Was dir sagt mein Blumenstrauß! Treue Lieb' ist immer grün! -- Tief auch unterm Schnee verborgen, Grünt sie wie am Frühlingsmorgen; Wie die Rose muß sie glühn; Oder, ist sie milder Art, Hold wie das Vergißmeinnicht, Wie die Myrthenknospe zart, -- Lächelt sie so froh und licht: Ach! kein Wort je spricht es aus, Sag' es du, mein Blumenstrauß! Treue Liebe blühet fort! -- Muß der Blume Duft verwehen, Nimmer wird dein Glanz vergehen, Liebe, Liebe! goldner Hort! Ewger Lenz voll Schimmer du! Reicher nur von Jahr zu Jahr Schickest du dem Himmel zu Was an Duft dein eigen war! Liebe, Liebe! schönster Strauß, Ach! kein Wort je spricht es aus!
Confirmed with Liederbuch von Friedrich Oser, 1842-1874. Mit einem biographischen Verzeichnis der Componisten, Basel: Benno Schwabe, Verlagsbuchhandlung, 1875, pages 210-211.
Text Authorship:
- by Friedrich Heinrich Oser (1820 - 1891), "Blumen sprechen schlicht und wahr", appears in Liederbuch, in 2. Liebeslieder, no. 238 [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 Friedrich Schneeberger (1843 - 1906) [sung text not yet checked]
Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- ENG English (Sharon Krebs) , "Flowers speak simply and truly", copyright © 2026, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
Researcher for this page: Sharon Krebs [Senior Associate Editor]
This text was added to the website: 2026-01-30
Line count: 30
Word count: 155
Flowers speak simply and truly! -- Whether they are twined into a wreath, Whether they are gathered into a bouquet, They beautifully proclaim it evermore, As is the custom of love, With the clear shining star of their eyes Or with the sweet breath, Everything I would so gladly say: Ah! no word can ever express What my floral bouquet tells you! Faithful love is ever green! Even when concealed deep beneath the snow, It is as green as on a spring morning; It must glow like the rose; Or if it is of a gentler variety, Beautifully as a forget-me-not, As the tender bud of the myrtle, -- It smiles so joyfully and brightly: Ah! no word can ever express it, My bouquet, you tell it! True love blossoms on! -- Though the scent of the flower must dissipate, Your radiance shall never cease! Love, love! golden refuge! You eternal spring full of shimmering! Only more opulently from year to year You send toward Heaven What of scent was your own! Love, love! most beautiful bouquet, Ah! no word can ever express it!
Text Authorship:
- Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2026 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 Friedrich Heinrich Oser (1820 - 1891), "Blumen sprechen schlicht und wahr", appears in Liederbuch, in 2. Liebeslieder, no. 238
This text was added to the website: 2026-05-09
Line count: 30
Word count: 182