English translations of Lieder, opus 12

by Clara Schumann (1819 - 1896)

1. Er ist gekommen in Sturm und Regen
 (Sung text)
by Clara Schumann (1819 - 1896), "Er ist gekommen in Sturm und Regen", op. 12 (Lieder) no. 2 (1841), published 1841 [ voice and piano ], from Zwölf Gedichte aus Friedrich Rückerts Liebesfrühling [nos. 2,4,11 by Clara Schumann; the rest by Robert Schumann], no. 2, Leipzig, Breitkopf und Härtel
    Score: IMSLP [external link]
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Er ist gekommen
In Sturm und Regen,
Ihm schlug beklommen 
Mein Herz entgegen.
Wie konnt' ich ahnen, 
Daß seine Bahnen
Sich einen sollten meinen Wegen?

Er ist gekommen 
In Sturm und Regen,
Er hat genommen 
Mein Herz verwegen.
Nahm er das meine? 
Nahm ich das seine?
Die beiden kamen sich entgegen.

Er ist gekommen 
In Sturm und Regen.
Nun ist gekommen 
Des Frühlings Segen.
Der Freund zieht weiter, 
Ich seh' es heiter,
Denn er bleibt mein auf allen Wegen.

Text Authorship:

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Note: this poem appears in collections in different places: Zweiter Strauß, Geschieden, no. 3 (and sometimes 7); and Erster Strauss, no. 35.

by Friedrich Rückert (1788 - 1866)
1. He came in storm and rain
Language: English 
He came 
in storm and rain,
my anxious heart 
beat against his.
how could I have known, 
that his path
should unite itself with mine?

He came 
in storm and rain,
he boldly 
stole my heart.
Did he steal mine? 
Did I steal his?
Both came together.

He came
in storm and rain,
Now has come 
the blessing of spring.
My love travels abroad, 
I watch with cheer,
for he remains mine, on any road.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 1996 by David Kenneth Smith, (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.

    David Kenneth Smith.  Contact: dksmith (AT) geneva.edu


    If the copyright-holder(s) are unreachable for three business days, please write to:


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This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 21
Word count: 75

Translation © by David Kenneth Smith
2. Liebst du um Schönheit
 (Sung text)
by Clara Schumann (1819 - 1896), "Liebst du um Schönheit", op. 12 (Lieder) no. 4 (1841), published 1841 [ voice and piano ], from Zwölf Gedichte aus Friedrich Rückerts Liebesfrühling [nos. 2,4,11 by Clara Schumann; the rest by Robert Schumann], no. 4, Leipzig, Breitkopf und Härtel
    Score: IMSLP [external link]
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Liebst du um Schönheit,
O nicht mich liebe! 
Liebe die Sonne,
Sie trägt ein gold'nes Haar!

Liebst du um Jugend,
O nicht mich liebe!
Liebe den Frühling,
Der jung ist jedes Jahr! 

Liebst du um Schätze,
O nicht mich liebe. 
Liebe die Meerfrau,
Sie hat viel Perlen klar.

Liebst du um Liebe,
O ja, mich liebe!
Liebe mich immer, 
Dich lieb' ich immerdar.

Text Authorship:

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See also Louis-Alexandre Fortoul's Qu'aimes‑tu de moi ?, which seems to have been inspired by this poem.

by Friedrich Rückert (1788 - 1866)
2. If you love for beauty
Language: English 
If you love for beauty,
Oh do not love me!
Love the sun, 
It has gold hair!

If you love for youth,
Oh do not love me!
Love the spring-time
That is young each year!

If you love for wealth,
Oh do not love me!
Love the mermaid,
[Who]1 has many limpid pearls!

If you love for love,
Oh yes, love me!
Love me forever;
I will love you forevermore!

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2014 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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1 Mahler, C. Schumann: "She"


This text was added to the website: 2014-12-17
Line count: 16
Word count: 71

Translation © by Emily Ezust
3. Warum willst du and're fragen
 (Sung text)
by Clara Schumann (1819 - 1896), "Warum willst du and're fragen", op. 12 (Lieder) no. 11, published 1841 [ voice and piano ], from Zwölf Gedichte aus Friedrich Rückerts Liebesfrühling [nos. 2,4,11 by Clara Schumann; the rest by Robert Schumann], no. 11, Leipzig, Breitkopf und Härtel
    Score: IMSLP [external link]
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Warum willst du And're fragen,
  Die's nicht meinen treu mit dir?
  Glaube nicht, als was dir sagen
  Diese beiden Augen hier.

Glaube nicht den fremden Leuten,
  Glaube nicht dem eig'nen Wahn;
  Nicht mein Thun auch sollst du deuten,
  Sondern sieh' die Augen an.

Schweigt die Lippe deinen Fragen,
  Oder zeugt sie gegen mich?
  Was auch meine Lippen sagen,
  Sieh' mein Aug' -- ich liebe dich.

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by Friedrich Rückert (1788 - 1866)
3. Why will you question others
Language: English 
Why will you question others,
Who are not faithful to you?
Believe nothing but what
Both these eyes say!

Believe not strange people,
Believe not peculiar fancies;
Even my actions you shouldn't interpret,
But look in these eyes!

Will lips silence your questions,
Or turn them against me?
Whatever my lips may say,
See my eyes: I love you!

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 1996 by David Kenneth Smith, (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.

    David Kenneth Smith.  Contact: dksmith (AT) geneva.edu


    If the copyright-holder(s) are unreachable for three business days, please write to:


Based on:

Go to the general single-text view


This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 12
Word count: 59

Translation © by David Kenneth Smith