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Mir ist, als kennt' ich dich seit Jahren, So heimisch fühl' ich mich bei dir, Nie hab' ich solche Ruh' erfahren, Wie du mir bringst; o bleibe hier! Mir ist, als müßt' ich dir vertrauen Mein Schifflein auf dem Lebensmeer, Um fest auf deine Kraft zu bauen Wenn's meinem Ruder folgt nicht mehr. Mir ist als müsse ich dir klagen, Was nimmer sonst mein Mund verräth; Du bringst ja Glück, verscheuchst die Plagen, Und schweig' ich, -- hätt's dein Aug' erspäht. Mir ist's, als könnt' ich niemals lassen Von diesem lieben, holden Blick; Am Grabe würd' er mich erfassen, Das Leben strömt aus ihm zurück. Mir ist, als wär' ich ganz dein eigen, Ein Theil von dir, vielleicht dein Traum, Vielleicht dein Glück - die Worte schweigen! -- Ach, wohnt es auf der Erde Raum? --
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See also this so-far-unidentified text set by L. Hartmann.
Text Authorship:
- by Ida Marie Luise Sophie Friederike Gustava Hahn-Hahn (1805 - 1880), "Erstes Begegnen", Gedichte, Leipzig: F.A. Brockhaus, p. 125, first published 1835 [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 Louis Huth (1810 - 1859), "Erstes Begegnen", op. 25 (Sechs Lieder mit leichter Begleitung) no. 2, published 1841 [ voice and piano ], Berlin: T. Trautwein [sung text not yet checked]
- by Karl Gottlieb Reissiger (1798 - 1859), "Mir ist, als kennt' ich dich seit Jahren", op. 109 (5 Duettini für hohen und tiefen Sopran mit Pianofortebegleitung) no. 3, published 1836 [ duet for soprano and mezzo-soprano with piano ], Berlin, Schlesinger [sung text not yet checked]
Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- ENG English (Sharon Krebs) , "First meeting", copyright © 2010, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
Researcher for this page: Sharon Krebs [Senior Associate Editor]
This text was added to the website: 2010-10-18
Line count: 20
Word count: 132
It seems as if I have known you for years, So at ease do I feel with you. I have never experienced such peace As you bring to me; oh remain here! It seems as if I must entrust to you My little craft upon the sea of life, In order to build firmly upon your strength When [my craft] does not follow my rudder. It seems as if I must complain to you Of that which my lips never otherwise disclose; For you bring happiness, banish afflictions, And if I were to be silent - your eye would discern it anyway. It seems as if I could never leave off looking Into this dear, lovely gaze; At my graveside it would seize me And from it, life would stream back into me. It seems as if I were completely yours, A part of you, perhaps your dream, Perhaps your happiness - words fail me! Ah, does it dwell in the earthly realm?
Text Authorship:
- Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2010 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 Ida Marie Luise Sophie Friederike Gustava Hahn-Hahn (1805 - 1880), "Erstes Begegnen", Gedichte, Leipzig: F.A. Brockhaus, p. 125, first published 1835
This text was added to the website: 2010-10-18
Line count: 20
Word count: 161