by William Smyth (1765 - 1849)
Translation by Georg Pertz (1830 - 1870)
O Let the Night my blushes hide
Language: English
Oh let the night my blushes hide, While thus my sighs reveal, What modest love and maiden pride Forever would conceal. Oh let the night my blushes hide, While thus my sighs reveal, What modest love and maiden pride Forever would conceal. What can he mean, how can he bear, Thus falt'ring to delay; How can his eyes, his eyes so much declare, His tongue so little say, his tongue so little say? Our parents old, --for so I guess, His thoughtful mind alarm; A thousand spectres of distress,-- The ruined crops and farm! Our parents old, --for so I guess, His thoughtful mind alarm; A thousand spectres of distress,-- The ruined crops and farm! But must we wait till age and care Shall fix our wedding day; How can his eyes so much declare, His tongue so little say? The times are hard,--an odious word, I'm wearied with the sound,-- A cuckoo note, for ever heard Since first the sun went round, The times are hard,--an odious word, I'm wearied with the sound,-- A cuckoo note, for ever heard Since first the sun went round, Well pleas'd a happier mind I bear, A heart for ever gay; How can his eyes so much declare, His tongue so little say? What recks it that the times are hard, Try fortune, and be blest-- Set Hope still cheer and Honour guard, And Love will do the rest. What recks it that the times are hard, Try fortune, and be blest-- Set Hope still cheer and Honour guard, And Love will do the rest. Far better load the heart with care, Than waste it with delay; How can his eyes so much declare, His tongue so little say?
Text Authorship:
- by William Smyth (1765 - 1849) [author's text not yet checked 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 Ludwig van Beethoven (1770 - 1827), "O Let the Night my blushes hide", WoO. 155 (26 Walisische Lieder) no. 7, G. 226 no. 7 (1809), published 1810 [ voice, piano, violin, violoncello ] [sung text checked 1 time]
Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- GER German (Deutsch) (Georg Pertz) , "O hülle mein Erröten, Nacht"
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
This text was added to the website: 2005-01-17
Line count: 48
Word count: 286
O hülle mein Erröten, Nacht
Language: German (Deutsch) after the English
O hülle mein Erröten, Nacht, Wenn ich der Liebe Weh, In scheuer Mädchenbrust erwacht, Mit Seufzen dir gesteh?. Was meint er nur? Was vor wie nach Schleicht stumm er aus der Tür? Was sagt sein Blick so vieles, ach! Sein Mund so wenig mir? Daß hochbetagt die Eltern schon, Mag rauben ihm dem Mut, Und rings Gespenster sieht er droh?n? Missernten, Wasserflut! Doch sollten erst, wenn alt und schwach, Zum Altar schreiten wir? Was sagt sein Blick so vieles, ach! Sein mund so wenig mir? Die Zeit ist schlecht? verhasstes Wort, Ermüdet ist sein Schall, Wie Kuckucksruf tönt fort und fort Er schon seit Adams Fall. Gern wär? ich fröhlich Tag und Nacht Und jubelte wie ihr; Was sagt sein Blick so vieles, ach! Sein Mund so wenig mir?
Text Authorship:
- by Georg Pertz (1830 - 1870), "O hülle mein Erröten, Nacht" [author's text not yet checked against a primary source]
Based on:
- a text in English by William Smyth (1765 - 1849)
Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive):
- [ None yet in the database ]
Researcher for this page: Ferdinando Albeggiani
This text was added to the website: 2005-08-14
Line count: 24
Word count: 129