Attention! Some of this material is not in the public domain.
It is illegal to copy and distribute our copyright-protected material without permission. It is also illegal to reprint copyright texts or translations without the name of the author or translator.
If you wish to reprint translations, please use the Reprint Basket (upper right hand corner).
Reminder: You must always use the copyright symbol © when you reprint copyright-protected material.
Ein Bettler klopft' ich bei Dir an Um einen Kuß -- Du gabst ihn mir! Ein Bettler kehrt' ich ein bei Dir, Und kam hervor ein reicher Mann, So reich am höchsten Glück der Welt, Daß alles Gold und alles Geld Nicht solche Schätze kaufen kann! Doch, ob des Augenblicks Genuß Mein ganzes Leben auch verschönt, Hat mich Dein Geben so verwöhnt, Daß ich stets weiter flehen muß Um einen Kuß -- und nimmer frei Wirst Du nun dieser Bettelei Um einen Kuß! um einen Kuß!
Confirmed with Altes und Neues. Gedichte von Friedrich Bodenstedt, Berlin: Verlag der Königlichen Geheimen Ober-Hofbuchdruckerei (R. Decker), 1859, page 110.
Note to stanza 2, line 6: The word "dieser" is incorrectly given as "diese" in some editions of the poem.
Text Authorship:
- by Friedrich Martin von Bodenstedt (1819 - 1892), "Süße Bettelei", appears in Alte und neue Gedichte, in 9. Aus dem Buche Edlitam (1847-1851) [author's text checked 2 times 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 Heinrich August Marschner (1795 - 1861), "Süsse Bettelei", op. 163 (Friedrich Bodenstedts Lieder für eine Sopran oder Tenorstimme am Piano zu singen), Heft 2 no. 12, published 1853 [ soprano or tenor and piano ], Berlin, Bote und Bock [sung text checked 1 time]
Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- ENG English (Sharon Krebs) , "Sweet begging", copyright © 2022, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
Research team for this page: Sharon Krebs [Senior Associate Editor], Johann Winkler
This text was added to the website: 2021-08-19
Line count: 14
Word count: 84
As a beggar I knocked at your door, [Begging] for a kiss -- you gave it to me! As a beggar I entered your abode, And emerged a rich man, So rich in the greatest happiness on earth, That all gold and all money Cannot buy such treasures! Yet, although through the momentary pleasure My whole life was beautified, Your giving spoiled me so much That must ever continue to plead For a kiss -- and nevermore shall you Be free now of this begging For a kiss! for a kiss!
Text Authorship:
- Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2022 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.
Contact: licenses@email.lieder.example.net
Based on:
- a text in German (Deutsch) by Friedrich Martin von Bodenstedt (1819 - 1892), "Süße Bettelei", appears in Alte und neue Gedichte, in 9. Aus dem Buche Edlitam (1847-1851)
This text was added to the website: 2022-05-03
Line count: 14
Word count: 89