English translations of Zwölf Lieder für 1 hohe Stimme mit Pianoforte, opus 3

by Franz Krežma (1862 - 1881)

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1. Bitte  [sung text not yet checked]
by Franz Krežma (1862 - 1881), "Bitte", op. 3 (Zwölf Lieder für 1 hohe Stimme mit Pianoforte) no. 1, published 1879 [ high voice and piano ], Wien, Gutmann
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Weil' auf mir, du dunkles Auge,
Übe deine ganze Macht,
Ernste, milde, [träumerische]1,
Unergründlich süße Nacht!

Nimm mit deinem Zauberdunkel
Diese Welt von hinnen mir,
Daß du über meinem Leben
Einsam schwebest für und für.

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Confirmed with Nicolaus Lenau's sämtliche Werke, herausgegeben von G. Emil Barthel, Leipzig: Druck und Verlag von Philipp Reclam jun., [1883], page 11.

1 Bolko von Hochberg: "zauberische"; Sjögren: "träumereiche"

by Nikolaus Lenau (1802 - 1850)
1. Linger on me, dark eyes
Language: English 
Linger on me, dark eyes -
exert your entire power,
somber, mild, dream-like,
unfathomably sweet night.

With your magic darkness
take from me this world,
so that above my life
you alone will float forever and ever.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © by Emily Ezust

    Emily Ezust permits her translations to be reproduced without prior permission for printed (not online) programs to free-admission concerts only, provided the following credit is given:

    Translation copyright © by Emily Ezust,
    from the LiederNet Archive

    For any other purpose, please write to the e-mail address below to request permission and discuss possible fees.


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Line count: 8
Word count: 36

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2. Aus meinen Tränen sprießen  [sung text not yet checked]
by Franz Krežma (1862 - 1881), "Aus meinen Tränen sprießen", op. 3 (Zwölf Lieder für 1 hohe Stimme mit Pianoforte) no. 2 (1876), published 1879 [ high voice and piano ], Wien, Gutmann
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Aus meinen Tränen sprießen
Viel blühende Blumen hervor,
Und meine Seufzer werden
Ein Nachtigallenchor.

Und wenn du mich lieb hast, Kindchen,
Schenk' ich dir die Blumen all',
Und vor deinem Fenster soll klingen
Das Lied der Nachtigall.

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Confirmed with Heinrich Heine, Buch der Lieder, Hoffmann und Campe, Hamburg, 1827, page 113.


by Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856)
2. From my tears sprout forth
Language: English 
From my tears sprout forth
Many blooming flowers,
And my sighing become joined with
The chorus of the nightingales.

And if you love me, dear child,
I will send you so many flowers;
And before your window should sound
The song of the nightingale.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © by Paul Hindemith, (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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Line count: 8
Word count: 44

Translation © by Paul Hindemith
3. Stille Sicherheit  [sung text not yet checked]
by Franz Krežma (1862 - 1881), "Stille Sicherheit", op. 3 (Zwölf Lieder für 1 hohe Stimme mit Pianoforte) no. 3, published 1879 [ high voice and piano ], Wien, Gutmann
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Horch, wie still es wird im [dunkeln]1 Hain,
Mädchen, wir sind sicher und allein.

Still versäuselt hier am Wiesenhang
Schon der Abendglocke müder Klang.

Auf den Blumen, die sich dir verneigt,
Schlief das letzte Lüftchen ein und schweigt.

Sagen darf ich dir, wir sind allein,
Daß mein Herz ist ewig, ewig dein.

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1 Schoeck, Wolf: "dunklen"

by Nikolaus Lenau (1802 - 1850)
3.
Language: English 
Listen, how quiet the dark wood has become,
Darling girl, we are safe and alone.

Here on the sloping meadow
The tired pealing of the evening bell murmurs quietly.

Upon the flowers, that bow to you,
The last breeze falls asleep and is silent.

Now I may tell you, since we are alone,
That my heart is yours forever.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2009 by Melissa Malde, (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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This text was added to the website: 2009-09-22
Line count: 8
Word count: 59

Translation © by Melissa Malde
4. Du bist wie eine Blume  [sung text not yet checked]
by Franz Krežma (1862 - 1881), "Du bist wie eine Blume", op. 3 (Zwölf Lieder für 1 hohe Stimme mit Pianoforte) no. 4, published 1879 [ high voice and piano ], Wien, Gutmann
Language: German (Deutsch) 
  Du bist wie eine Blume
[So hold und schön und rein;]1
Ich [schau']2 dich an, und Wehmut
Schleicht mir ins Herz hinein.

  Mir ist, als [ob ich]3 die Hände
Aufs Haupt [dir]4 legen sollt',
[Betend]5, daß [Gott dich]6 erhalte
[So rein und schön und hold]7.

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Confirmed with: Heinrich Heine’s sämtliche Werke in vier Bänden, herausgegeben von Otto F. Lachmann, Erster Band, Leipzig: Druck und Verlag von Philipp Reclam jun, [1887], page 136.

1 Ander: "So schön, so rein und hold"; Chadwick: "So schön, so hold, so rein"; Mayer: "So hold, so schön und rein"; Becker, Thuille: "So hold, so schön, so rein"; Unger: "So rein so schön und hold"
2 Becker: "seh'"
3 Hinrichs: "ob"
4 Hinrichs: "ich dir"
5 Dreyschock: "und beten"
6 Liszt: "dich Gott"
7 Ander: "So hold und schön und rein"; Chadwick, Thuille: "So schön, so hold, so rein"; Mayer: "So rein, so schön und hold"; Becker: "So rein, so schön, so hold"

by Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856)
4. Thou art, as is a flower
Language: English 
Thou art, as is a flower,
so meek and pure and fine,
I look at thee and sadness
steals o'er the heart of mine.

I feel that both my hands softly
thy hair, thy head should seek,
praying that God may preserve thee
so pure and fine and meek.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2009 by Bertram Kottmann, (re)printed on this website with kind permission. To reprint and distribute this author's work for concert programs, CD booklets, etc., you must ask the copyright-holder(s) directly for permission. If you receive no response, you must consider it a refusal.

    Bertram Kottmann.  Contact: BKottmann (AT) t-online.de

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This text was added to the website: 2009-08-10
Line count: 8
Word count: 49

Translation © by Bertram Kottmann
5. Schöne Wiege meiner Leiden  [sung text not yet checked]
by Franz Krežma (1862 - 1881), "Schöne Wiege meiner Leiden", op. 3 (Zwölf Lieder für 1 hohe Stimme mit Pianoforte) no. 5, published 1879 [ high voice and piano ], Wien, Gutmann
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Schöne Wiege meiner Leiden,
schönes Grabmal meiner Ruh',
schöne Stadt, wir müssen scheiden, -
Lebe wohl! ruf' ich dir zu.

Lebe wohl, du heil'ge Schwelle,
wo da wandelt Liebchen traut;
lebe wohl! du heil'ge Stelle, 
wo ich sie zuerst geschaut.

Hätt' ich dich doch nie [gesehen]1,
schöne Herzenskönigin!
Nimmer wär' es dann geschehen,
daß ich jetzt so elend bin.

Nie wollt' ich dein Herze rühren,
Liebe hab' ich nie erfleht;
nur ein stilles Leben führen
wollt' ich, wo dein Odem weht.

Doch du drängst mich selbst von hinnen,
bittre Worte spricht dein Mund;
Wahnsinn wühlt in meinen Sinnen,
und mein Herz ist krank und wund.

Und die Glieder matt und träge
schlepp' ich fort am Wanderstab,
bis mein müdes Haupt ich lege
ferne in ein kühles Grab.

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1 Schumann: "gesehn"

by Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856)
5. Pretty cradle of my sorrows
Language: English 
 Pretty cradle of my sorrows,
 pretty tombstone of my rest,
 pretty town - we must part, -
 farewell! I call to you.
 
 Farewell, you holy threshhold,
 across which my darling would tread;
 farewell! you sacred spot
 where I first saw her.
 
 Would that I had never seen you,
 lovely queen of my heart!
 Never would it then have happened,
 that I would now be so wretched.
 
 I never wished to touch your heart,
 I never begged for love;
 all I wished was to lead a quiet life
 where your breath could stir me.
 
 Yet you yourself pushed me away from you,
 with bitter words at your lips;
 Madness filled my senses,
 and my heart is sick and wounded.
 
 And my limbs are heavy and sluggish;
 I'll drag myself forward, leaning on my staff, 
 until I can lay my weary head 
 in a cool and distant grave.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © by Emily Ezust

    Emily Ezust permits her translations to be reproduced without prior permission for printed (not online) programs to free-admission concerts only, provided the following credit is given:

    Translation copyright © by Emily Ezust,
    from the LiederNet Archive

    For any other purpose, please write to the e-mail address below to request permission and discuss possible fees.


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Line count: 24
Word count: 145

Translation © by Emily Ezust
6. An der Rose Busen  [sung text not yet checked]
by Franz Krežma (1862 - 1881), "An der Rose Busen", op. 3 (Zwölf Lieder für 1 hohe Stimme mit Pianoforte) no. 6, published 1879 [ high voice and piano ], Wien, Gutmann
Language: German (Deutsch) 
An der Rose Busen schmiegt sich
Tröpfchen Thau so still und wiegt sich.
Glühend heiß kommt Sonnenstrahl:
Rose, du bist mein Gemahl!
Sonnenstrahl kos't und wirbt,
Tröpfchen Thau hört's und stirbt.

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Confirmed with Buch der Liebe von Hoffmann von Fallersleben, Breslau, bei Georg Philipp Aderholz, 1836, page 14.

Note: modernized spelling would change "Thau" to "Tau"


by August Heinrich Hoffmann von Fallersleben (1798 - 1874)
6.
[Translation not yet available]
7. Es muss was Wunderbares sein  [sung text not yet checked]
by Franz Krežma (1862 - 1881), "Es muss was Wunderbares sein", op. 3 (Zwölf Lieder für 1 hohe Stimme mit Pianoforte) no. 7, published 1879 [ high voice and piano ], Wien, Gutmann
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Es muß [was]1 Wunderbares sein
Um's Lieben zweier Seelen!
Sich [schließen ganz einander]2 ein,
Sich nie ein Wort verhehlen!

Und Freud' und Leid, und Glück und Noth
So mit einander tragen!
Vom ersten Kuß bis [in]2 den Tod
Sich nur von Liebe sagen!

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Confirmed with Oscar v. Redwitz, Amaranth, Zweite Auflage, Mainz: Verlag von Kirchheim und Schott, 1850, page 117.

1 Karg-Elert, Liszt: "ein"
2 Stöckhardt: "ganz einander schließen"
3 Backer-Grøndahl: "an"

by Oscar von Redwitz-Schmölz (1823 - 1891)
7. It must be a wonderful thing
Language: English 
It must be a wonderful thing
for two souls to be in love,
locking each other in so completely,
never concealing a word;
and joy and grief, and happiness and hardship -
enduring these with each other
from the first kiss until death,
speaking together only with love.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © by Emily Ezust

    Emily Ezust permits her translations to be reproduced without prior permission for printed (not online) programs to free-admission concerts only, provided the following credit is given:

    Translation copyright © by Emily Ezust,
    from the LiederNet Archive

    For any other purpose, please write to the e-mail address below to request permission and discuss possible fees.


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Line count: 8
Word count: 47

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8. Ich will dich auf den Händen tragen  [sung text not yet checked]
by Franz Krežma (1862 - 1881), "Ich will dich auf den Händen tragen", op. 3 (Zwölf Lieder für 1 hohe Stimme mit Pianoforte) no. 8, published 1879 [ high voice and piano ], Wien, Gutmann
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Ich will dich auf den Händen tragen,
Und dir ein treuer Engel sein;
Will legen meine junge Seele
Ganz in dein liebes Herz hinein.

Ich will für mich ja Nichts erflehen,
Für dich nur Alles ganz allein;
Ach! Wenn so ganz ich in dir lebe,
Schließt ja auch mich der Segen ein!

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Confirmed with Oscar v. Redwitz, Amaranth, Zweite Auflage, Mainz: Verlag von Kirchheim und Schott, 1850, page 118.


by Oscar von Redwitz-Schmölz (1823 - 1891)
8.
Language: English 
I want to bear you up with my hands
And to be a guardian angel for you,
I want to place my young soul
Entirely within your dear heart.

I would not ask anything at all for myself,
But for you alone, everything;
Ah, if I could exist so entirely in you,
It would be a blessing for me as well!

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2022 by Michael P Rosewall, (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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This text was added to the website: 2022-07-12
Line count: 8
Word count: 61

Translation © by Michael P Rosewall
9. Und wüßten's die Blumen, die kleinen  [sung text not yet checked]
by Franz Krežma (1862 - 1881), "Und wüßten's die Blumen, die kleinen", op. 3 (Zwölf Lieder für 1 hohe Stimme mit Pianoforte) no. 9 (1876), published 1879 [ high voice and piano ], Wien, Gutmann
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Und wüßten's die Blumen, die kleinen,
Wie tief verwundet mein Herz,
Sie würden mit mir weinen,
Zu heilen meinen Schmerz.

Und wüßten's die Nachtigallen,
Wie ich so traurig und krank,
Sie ließen fröhlich erschallen
Erquickenden Gesang.

Und wüßten sie mein Wehe,
Die [goldnen]1 Sternelein,
Sie kämen aus ihrer Höhe,
Und sprächen Trost mir ein.

[Die]2 alle können's nicht wissen,
Nur [eine]3 kennt meinen Schmerz;
[Sie]4 hat ja selbst zerrissen,
Zerrissen mir das Herz.

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Confirmed with Heinrich Heine, Buch der Lieder, Hoffmann und Campe, Hamburg, 1827, page 128.

Note: Christian Jost's setting begins "Zerrissen mir das Herz" (the last line) and then follows the rest of the text.

1 Jost, Schumann: "goldenen"
2 André, Jost, Schumann: "Sie"
3 Hensel: "einer"
4 Hensel: "Er"

by Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856)
9. And if the blooms - the small ones - knew
Language: English 
And if the blooms - the small ones - knew
How deeply wounded is my heart,
They would weep with me
To heal my pain.

And if the nightingales knew
How sad and ill I am,
They would let forth merrily
A refreshing song.

And if they knew my woe -
The little golden stars -
They would come down from their heights
And speak their consolation to me.

But all of them could not know this,
Only one knows my pain;
She herself has indeed torn,
Torn my heart in two.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © by Paul Hindemith, (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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Line count: 16
Word count: 88

Translation © by Paul Hindemith
10. Klärchen's Lied  [sung text not yet checked]
by Franz Krežma (1862 - 1881), "Klärchen's Lied", op. 3 (Zwölf Lieder für 1 hohe Stimme mit Pianoforte) no. 10, published 1879 [ high voice and piano ], Wien, Gutmann
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Freudvoll
Und leidvoll,
Gedankenvoll seyn;
[Langen]1
Und bangen
In schwebender Pein;
Himmelhoch jauchzend
Zum Tode betrübt;
Glücklich allein
Ist die Seele, die liebt.

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Confirmed with Goethe's Werke, Vollständige Ausgabe letzter Hand, Achter Band, Stuttgart und Tübingen, in der J.G.Cottaschen Buchhandlung, 1827, pages 231-232, and with Egmont. Trauerspiel von Goethe. Leipzig bei Georg Joachim Göschen 1788, page 97.

Note for line 4 word 1: some editions not endorsed by Goethe have "Hangen" instead of "Langen".

1 Liszt, Rubinstein: "Hangen"

by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749 - 1832)
10. Joyful and sorrowful
Language: English 
Joyful
And sorrowful,
Thoughtful;
Longing
And anxious
In constant anguish;
Skyhigh rejoicing
despairing to death;
Happy alone
Is the soul that loves.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © by Richard Morris, (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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Line count: 10
Word count: 22

Translation © by Richard Morris
11. Am fernen Horizonte  [sung text not yet checked]
by Franz Krežma (1862 - 1881), "Am fernen Horizonte", op. 3 (Zwölf Lieder für 1 hohe Stimme mit Pianoforte) no. 11 (1877), published 1879 [ high voice and piano ], Wien, Gutmann
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Am fernen Horizonte
Erscheint, wie ein Nebelbild,
Die Stadt mit ihren Thürmen,
In Abenddämmrung gehüllt.

Ein feuchter Windzug kräuselt
Die graue Wasserbahn;
Mit traurigem Tacte rudert
Der Schiffer in meinem Kahn.

Die Sonne hebt sich noch einmal
Leuchtend vom Boden empor,
Und zeigt mir jene Stelle,
Wo ich das Liebste verlor.

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Confirmed with Buch der Lieder von H. Heine. Hamburg bei Hoffmann und Campe. 1827, page 195; and with Reisebilder von H. Heine. Erster Theil. Hamburg, bey Hoffmann und Campe. 1826, page 21.

First published as number III of Drei und dreißig Gedichte von H. Heine in Der Gesellschafter oder Blätter für Geist und Herz. Herausgegeben von F. W. Gubitz. Achter Jahrgang. Berlin, 1824. In der Maurerschen Buchhandlung. Freitag den 26. März. 49stes Blatt, page 243.


by Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856)
11. Appearing on the far horizon
Language: English 
Appearing on the far horizon
Like a picture in the fog,
A city, with its towers
Shrouded in the evening dusk.

A damp gust of wind eddies
The course of the grey water;
With a mournful rhythm
The boatman rows in my boat.

The sun lifts itself once more,
Glowing upwards from below the horizon,
And shows me that place
Where I lost what was dearest to me.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © by Michael P Rosewall, (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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Line count: 12
Word count: 68

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12. Traumbild  [sung text not yet checked]
by Franz Krežma (1862 - 1881), "Traumbild", op. 3 (Zwölf Lieder für 1 hohe Stimme mit Pianoforte) no. 12 (1877), published 1879 [ high voice and piano ], Wien, Gutmann
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Da hab ich viel blasse Leichen
Beschworen mit Wortesmacht;
Die wollen nun nicht mehr weichen
Zurück in die alte Nacht.

Das zähmende Sprüchlein vom Meister
Vergaß ich vor Schauer und Graus;
Nun ziehn die eignen Geister
Mich selber ins neblichte Haus.

Laßt ab, ihr finstern Dämonen!
Laßt ab, und drängt mich nicht!
Noch manche Freude mag wohnen
Hier oben im Rosenlicht.

Ich muß ja immer streben
Nach der Blume wunderhold;
Was bedeutet' mein ganzes Leben,
Wenn ich sie nicht lieben sollt?

Ich möcht sie nur einmal umfangen
Und pressen ans glühende Herz!
Nur einmal auf Lippen und Wangen
Küssen den seligsten Schmerz!

Nur einmal aus ihrem Munde
Möcht ich hören ein liebendes Wort -
Alsdann wollt ich folgen zur Stunde
Euch, Geister, zum finsteren Ort.

Die Geister habens vernommen,
Und nicken schauerlich.
Feins Liebchen, nun bin ich gekommen;
Feins Liebchen, liebst du mich?

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by Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856)
12.
Language: English 
I have adjured many
Pale corpses with all my power of words;
They do not want to disappear
Back into the old night.

I forgot the magician’s taming
Verse out of fear,
Now, my own ghosts 
Pull me into the foggy house.

Let go, you dark demons!
Let go, and do not push me!
Some pleasure may want to live
Up here in the light of the roses.

I always have to aim
For the lovely flower;
What is my life worth,
If I cannot love her?

I only want to embrace her once,
And press her onto my heart!
I only want to kiss her, yet in pain,
Kiss her lips and cheeks. 

I only want to hear a nice word
Out of her mouth,
Then I want to follow you,
Ghosts, follow you to the dark place.

The ghosts have heard my desire
And nodded gruesomely.
My love, now I have arrived,
My love, do you love me?

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2014 by Anja Bunzel, (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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Kinkel's title: "The ghosts have heard my desire"


This text was added to the website: 2014-07-24
Line count: 28
Word count: 160

Translation © by Anja Bunzel