A Woman's Life and Love

Translations © by Daniel Platt

Song Cycle by Robert Schumann (1810 - 1856)

View original-language texts alone: Frauenliebe und -Leben

1. Seit ich ihn gesehen
 (Sung text)
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Seit ich ihn gesehen,
  Glaub' ich blind zu sein;
Wo ich hin nur blicke,
  Seh' ich ihn allein;
Wie im wachen Traume
  Schwebt sein Bild mir vor,
Taucht aus tiefstem Dunkel,
  Heller nur empor.

Sonst ist licht- und farblos
  Alles um mich her,
Nach der Schwestern Spiele
  Nicht begehr' ich mehr,
Möchte lieber weinen,
  Still im Kämmerlein;
Seit ich ihn gesehen,
  Glaub' ich blind zu sein.

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by Adelbert von Chamisso (1781 - 1838)
1. Since I saw him
Language: English 
Since I saw him 
I believe myself to be blind, 
where I but cast my gaze, 
I see him alone. 
as in waking dreams 
his image floats before me, 
dipped from deepest darkness, 
brighter in ascent. 

All else dark and colorless 
everywhere around me, 
for the games of my sisters 
I no longer yearn, 
I would rather weep, 
silently in my little chamber, 
since I saw him, 
I believe myself to be blind.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © by Daniel Platt, (re)printed on this website with kind permission. To reprint and distribute this author's work for concert programs, CD booklets, etc., please ask the copyright-holder(s) directly.

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This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 16
Word count: 73

Translation © by Daniel Platt
2. Er, der Herrlichste von allen
 (Sung text)
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Er, der Herrlichste von allen,
  Wie so milde, wie so gut!
Holde Lippen, klares Auge,
  Heller Sinn und fester Muth.

So wie dort in blauer Tiefe,
  Hell und herrlich, jener Stern,
Also er an meinem Himmel,
  Hell und herrlich, hehr und fern.

Wandle, wandle deine Bahnen;
  Nur betrachten deinen Schein,
Nur in Demuth ihn betrachten,
  Selig nur und traurig sein!

Höre nicht mein stilles Beten,
  Deinem Glücke nur geweiht;
Darfst mich niedre Magd nicht kennen,
  Hoher Stern der Herrlichkeit!

Nur die Würdigste von allen
  Darf beglücken deine Wahl,
Und ich will die Hohe segnen,
  Viele tausend Mal.

Will mich freuen dann und weinen,
  Selig, selig bin ich dann,
Sollte mir das Herz auch brechen,
  Brich, o Herz, was liegt daran.

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Note: modernized spelling would change "Muth" to "Mut", and "Demuth" to "Demut"

by Adelbert von Chamisso (1781 - 1838)
2. He, the most glorious of all
Language: English 
He, the most glorious of all, 
O how mild, so good! 
lovely lips, clear eyes, 
bright mind and steadfast courage. 

Just as yonder in the blue depths, 
bright and glorious, that star, 
so he is in my heavens, 
bright and glorious, lofty and distant.

Meander, meander thy paths, 
but to observe thy gleam, 
but to observe in meekness, 
but to be blissful and sad! 

Hear not my silent prayer, 
consecrated only to thy happiness, 
thou mays't not know me, lowly maid, 
lofty star of glory! 

Only the worthiest of all 
may make happy thy choice, 
and I will bless her, the lofty one, 
many thousand times. 

I will rejoice then and weep, 
blissful, blissful I'll be then; 
if my heart should also break, 
break, O heart, what of it?

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © by Daniel Platt, (re)printed on this website with kind permission. To reprint and distribute this author's work for concert programs, CD booklets, etc., please ask the copyright-holder(s) directly.

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Line count: 24
Word count: 129

Translation © by Daniel Platt
3. Ich kann's nicht fassen, nicht glauben
 (Sung text)
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Ich kann's nicht fassen, nicht glauben,
  Es hat ein Traum mich berückt;
Wie hätt' er doch unter allen
  Mich Arme erhöht und beglückt?

Mir war's, er habe gesprochen:
  Ich bin auf ewig dein --
Mir war's -- ich träume noch immer,
  Es kann ja nimmer so sein.

O laß im Traume mich sterben,
  Gewieget an seiner Brust,
Den seligen Tod mich schlürfen
  In Thränen unendlicher Lust.

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Note: modernized spelling would change "Thränen" to "Tränen"
by Adelbert von Chamisso (1781 - 1838)
3. I can't grasp it, nor believe it
Language: English 
I can't grasp it, nor believe it, 
a dream has bewitched me, 
how should he, among all the others, 
lift up and make happy poor me? 

It seemed to me, as if he spoke, 
"I am thine eternally", 
It seemed - I dream on and on, 
It could never be so. 

O let me die in this dream, 
cradled on his breast, 
let the most blessed death drink me up 
in tears of infinite bliss.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © by Daniel Platt, (re)printed on this website with kind permission. To reprint and distribute this author's work for concert programs, CD booklets, etc., please ask the copyright-holder(s) directly.

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Line count: 12
Word count: 74

Translation © by Daniel Platt
4. Du Ring an meinem Finger
 (Sung text)
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Du Ring an meinem Finger,
  Mein goldenes Ringelein,
Ich drücke dich fromm an die Lippen,
  Dich fromm an das Herze mein.

Ich hatt' ihn ausgeträumet,
  Der Kindheit friedlich schönen Traum,
Ich fand allein mich, verloren
  Im öden, unendlichen Raum.

Du Ring an meinem Finger,
  Da hast du mich erst belehrt,
Hast meinem Blick erschlossen
  Des Lebens unendlichen, tiefen Wert.

Ich will ihm dienen, ihm leben,
  Ihm angehören ganz,
Hin selber mich geben und finden
  Verklärt mich in seinem Glanz.

Du Ring an meinem Finger,
  Mein goldenes Ringelein,
Ich drücke dich fromm an die Lippen,
  Dich fromm an das Herze mein.

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Modernized spelling would change "Werth" to "Wert"
by Adelbert von Chamisso (1781 - 1838)
4. Thou ring on my finger
Language: English 
Thou ring on my finger, 
my little golden ring, 
I press thee piously upon my lips 
piously upon my heart. 

I had dreamt it, 
the tranquil, lovely dream of childhood, 
I found myself alone and lost 
in barren, infinite space. 

Thou ring on my finger, 
thou hast taught me for the first time, 
hast opened my gaze unto 
the endless, deep value of life. 

I want to serve him, live for him, 
belong to him entire, 
Give myself and find myself 
transfigured in his radiance. 

Thou ring on my finger, 
my little golden ring, 
I press thee piously upon lips, 
piously upon my heart.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © by Daniel Platt, (re)printed on this website with kind permission. To reprint and distribute this author's work for concert programs, CD booklets, etc., please ask the copyright-holder(s) directly.

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Line count: 20
Word count: 104

Translation © by Daniel Platt
5. Helft mir, ihr Schwestern
 (Sung text)
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Helft mir, ihr Schwestern, 
Freundlich mich schmücken,
Dient der Glücklichen heute mir.
Windet geschäftig
Mir um die Stirne
Noch der blühenden Myrte Zier.

Als ich befriedigt,
Freudigen Herzens,
Sonst dem Geliebten im Arme lag,
Immer noch rief er,
Sehnsucht im Herzen,
Ungeduldig den heutigen Tag.

Helft mir, ihr Schwestern,
Helft mir verscheuchen
Eine thörichte Bangigkeit;
Daß ich mit klarem
Aug' ihn empfange,
Ihn, die Quelle der Freudigkeit.

Bist, mein Geliebter,
Du mir erschienen,
Giebst du mir, Sonne, deinen Schein?
Laß mich in Andacht,
Laß mich in Demuth,
Laß mich verneigen dem Herren mein.

Streuet ihm, Schwestern,
Streuet ihm Blumen,
bringet ihm knospende Rosen dar.
Aber euch, Schwestern,
Grüß' ich mit Wehmuth,
Freudig scheidend aus eurer Schaar.

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Modernized spelling would change "thörichte" to "törichte", "giebst" to "gibst", "Demuth" to "Demut", "Wehmuth" to "Wehmut", and "Schaar" to "Schar"
by Adelbert von Chamisso (1781 - 1838)
5. Help me, ye sisters
Language: English 
Help me, ye sisters, 
friendly, adorn me, 
serve me, today's fortunate one, 
busily wind 
about my brow 
the adornment of blooming myrtle. 

Otherwise, gratified, 
of joyful heart, 
I would have lain in the arms of the beloved, 
so he called ever out, 
yearning in his heart, 
impatient for the present day.

Help me, ye sisters, 
help me to banish 
a foolish anxiety, 
so that I may with clear 
eyes receive him, 
him, the source of joyfulness. 

Dost, my beloved, 
thou appear to me, 
givest thou, sun, thy shine to me? 
Let me with devotion, 
let me in meekness, 
let me curtsy before my lord. 

Strew him, sisters, 
strew him with flowers, 
bring him budding roses, 
but ye, sisters, 
I greet with melancholy, 
joyfully departing from your midst.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © by Daniel Platt, (re)printed on this website with kind permission. To reprint and distribute this author's work for concert programs, CD booklets, etc., please ask the copyright-holder(s) directly.

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Line count: 30
Word count: 127

Translation © by Daniel Platt
6. Süßer Freund, du blickest
 (Sung text)
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Süßer Freund, du blickest
  Mich verwundert an,
Kannst es nicht begreifen,
  Wie ich weinen kann;
Laß der feuchten Perlen
  Ungewohnte Zier
Freudig hell erzittern 
In dem Auge mir.

Wie so bang mein Busen,
  Wie so wonnevoll!
Wüßt' ich nur mit Worten,
  Wie ich's sagen soll;
Komm und birg dein Antlitz
  Hier an meiner Brust,
Will in's Ohr dir flüstern
  Alle meine Lust.

 ... 

Weißt du nun die Thränen,
  Die ich weinen kann?
Sollst du nicht sie sehen,
  Du geliebter Mann;
Bleib' an meinem Herzen,
  Fühle dessen Schlag,
Daß ich fest und fester
  Nur dich drücken mag.

Hier an meinem Bette
  Hat die Wiege Raum,
Wo sie still verberge
  Meinen holden Traum;
Kommen wird der Morgen,
  Wo der Traum erwacht,
Und daraus dein Bildniß
  Mir entgegen lacht.

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Modernized spelling would change "Thränen" to "Tränen" and "Bildniß" to "Bildnis".
by Adelbert von Chamisso (1781 - 1838)
6. Sweet friend, thou gazest
Language: English 
Sweet friend, thou gazest 
upon me in wonderment, 
thou cannst not grasp it, 
why I can weep; 
Let the moist pearls' 
unaccustomed adornment 
tremble, joyful-bright, 
in my eyes. 

How anxious my bosom, 
how rapturous! 
If I only knew, with words, 
how I should say it; 
come and bury thy visage 
here in my breast, 
I want to whisper in thy ear 
all my happiness. 

[ ... ]

Knowest thou the tears, 
that I can weep? 
Shouldst thou not see them, 
thou beloved man? 
Stay by my heart, 
feel its beat, 
that I may, fast and faster, 
hold thee. 

Here, at my bed, 
the cradle shall have room, 
where it silently conceals 
my lovely dream; 
the morning will come 
where the dream awakes, 
and from there thy image 
shall smile at me.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © by Daniel Platt, (re)printed on this website with kind permission. To reprint and distribute this author's work for concert programs, CD booklets, etc., please ask the copyright-holder(s) directly.

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Line count: 40
Word count: 157

Translation © by Daniel Platt
7. An meinem Herzen, an meiner Brust
 (Sung text)
Language: German (Deutsch) 
An meinem Herzen, an meiner Brust,
Du meine Wonne, du meine Lust!

Das Glück ist die Liebe, die Lieb' ist das Glück,
Ich hab' es gesagt und nehm's nicht zurück.

Hab' überschwenglich mich geschätzt
Bin überglücklich aber jetzt.

Nur die da säugt, nur die da liebt
Das Kind, dem sie die Nahrung giebt;

Nur eine Mutter weiß allein,
Was lieben heißt und glücklich sein.

O, wie bedaur' ich doch den Mann,
Der Mutterglück nicht fühlen kann!

Du lieber, lieber Engel, du,
Du schauest mich an und lächelst dazu!

An meinem Herzen, an meiner Brust,
Du meine Wonne, du meine Lust!

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Note: Modern German would change the spelling of "giebt" to "gibt"

by Adelbert von Chamisso (1781 - 1838)
7. At my heart, at my breast
Language: English 
At my heart, at my breast, 
thou my rapture, my happiness! 

The joy is the love, the love is the joy, 
I have said it, and won't take it back. 
 
I've thought myself rapturous, 
but now I'm happy beyond that. 

Only she that suckles, only she that loves 
the child, to whom she gives nourishment; 

Only a mother knows alone 
what it is to love and be happy. 
 
O how I pity then the man 
who cannot feel a mother's joy! 

[Thou lookst at me and smiles,
Thou dear, dear angel thou]1

At my heart, at my breast, 
thou my rapture, my happiness!

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © by Daniel Platt, (re)printed on this website with kind permission. To reprint and distribute this author's work for concert programs, CD booklets, etc., please ask the copyright-holder(s) directly.

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View original text (without footnotes)
1 Loewe, Schumann: "Thou dear, dear angel thou,/ Thou lookst at me and smiles"


This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 16
Word count: 103

Translation © by Daniel Platt
8. Nun hast du mir den ersten Schmerz getan
 (Sung text)
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Nun hast du mir den ersten Schmerz gethan,
  Der aber traf.
Du schläfst, du harter, unbarmherz'ger Mann,
  Den Todesschlaf.

Es blicket die Verlass'ne vor sich hin,
  Die Welt ist leer.
Geliebet hab' ich und gelebt, ich bin
  Nicht lebend mehr.

Ich zieh' mich in mein Inn'res still zurück,
  Der Schleier fällt,
Da hab' ich dich und mein verlornes Glück,
  Du meine Welt!

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Note: modernized spelling would change "gethan" to "getan".

Note (provided by Iain Sneddon) : Loewe's song is not part of his opus 60. His song cycle titled Frauenliebe ends peacefully with married bliss: 'Du meine wonne, du mein Lust!'. Loewe happened to set the remaining poems (this one was only a sketch) and Max Runze was correct to include these unpublished songs in his complete edition in the positions they would have occupied if Loewe had wanted to include them, so they may be considered to be part of the extended cycle, but not opus 60.

by Adelbert von Chamisso (1781 - 1838)
8. Now thou hast given me, for the first time, pain
Language: English 
Now thou hast given me, for the first time, pain, 
how it struck me. 
Thou sleepst, thou hard, merciless man, 
the sleep of death. 

The abandoned one gazes straight ahead, 
the world is void. 
I have loved and lived, I am 
no longer living. 

I withdraw silently into myself, 
the veil falls, 
there I have thee and my lost happiness, 
O thou my world!

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © by Daniel Platt, (re)printed on this website with kind permission. To reprint and distribute this author's work for concert programs, CD booklets, etc., please ask the copyright-holder(s) directly.

    Daniel Platt.  Contact: abelard2 (AT) aol (DOT) com


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Based on:

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This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 12
Word count: 64

Translation © by Daniel Platt